The book sounds great! I love his comment about VdB. Having seen this rose I know whereof he speaks, although the bush/wannabe climber I saw had more than 3 blooms since this is California, and didn't really seem diseased. However, I did wonder why anyone would want to grow it after viewing its gangly habit with a few blooms clustered on top. It might be good pegged, I suppose.

Thanks for the information, Carol. I'm going to look it up on Amazon.

Ingrid

I also got this book for Christmas (at my request). I love it, even though I garden in No Cal, so some of the roses wouldn't do well here. The author is very careful to keep his climate zone in mind, and doesn't make the annoying generalized comments that some books do that imply that a rose behaves identically everywhere. I have enjoyed Peter's newsletters for years. His writing is accurate, knowledgeable, funny, and frank. I would strongly recommend this book.

Jackie

His critique of Variegata di Bologna' is right on. It not only mildews easily, it does it quickly covering the entire bush all at once.
As long as I keep it pruned back it blooms better but if left to it's long canes it only blooms once.
Regarding the book. It's available on Amazon.com
Right Rose, Right Place by Peter Schneider (Hardcover - Sep 16, 2009)
Buy new: $29.95 $19.77
26 new from $15.39 6 used from $15.39

Here is a link that might be useful: Right Rose- Right Place on Amazon.com

Yeah, I just love the tone of the book. I've never laughed while reading a rose book before.

It's nice to share this with people. Anyone I know would want to say, "Yawn, another rose book, who cares."

Carol

I assume this is the same Peter Schneider that co-authors the Combined Rose List?

Book sounds good especially as he gardens in the same zone as I do.

How do the AllFlex tags work on a rose (all I've seen are the pin tags they use for ears)?

Jim - yes, he's the same Peter Schneider. It IS a good book - go buy it!! :)

lagomorphmom - I haven't tried them yet, but there's a hole in the tag, so I guess I would affix it to a stick with string or something. What I use is gone by the end of the summer, and these markers/tags are supposed to last for 3 or 4 years, I think. You order blank ones and choose the size you want. If you want to write tons of stuff, then get the cow ones, if you want to just write the names, then they sell much smaller ones that will just fit the name.

:)
Carol

the book sounds good and interesting,...i am planning to have that book now!!...

For anyone within striking distance, Peter Schneider will be speaking and signing his book from 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday (4/10) at the Akron Main Library downtown.

You folks enabled me into buying it (got a great used one on Amezon) and you are right as always. What a great book! Perfect for those of us who live in colder climates, although I can see that it would be a great read for anyone.

Karen, we think alike - my used copy through Amazon was delivered on Monday. Haven't had time to open it yet so guess you'll beat me to doing a book report?! ;-)

I guess this goes to show that all rose growing is local. His description doesn't fit my VdB. I've grown it for I'm guessing 7 yrs and it doesn't get mildew here. It is gangly(not uncommon among my bourbons) but mine self pegs and blooms all along the canes.

It sounds like the book includes a lot of great information though and such glowing reviews. Any gardening book with humor will definitely keep me reading, so I'll seek this one out. Thanks for the recommendation.

Hey Anne, you're right - I'm working on the book report as we speak! One of the many pearls of wisdom Schneider shares is his encouragement to get rid of roses that aren't thriving (unless they have a strong personal connection, such as a rose from your Mom's garden or a rose named after someone you love). I got this same advice when I met with the horticulture director from Middleton Place Plantation last week. He said "plants that aren't thriving are candidates for disease and insect infestation, because they don't have the immunity necessary to fight these off. Why invite this infestation into your garden? Why not replace it with a stronger healthier plant". Great advice - I'm getting out my shovel and then heading for the nursery!

Perfect for those of us who live in colder climates, loaded with pearls of wisdom, and a gardening book with humor . . . :)

Sounds like a treasure -- to be sure.

Thanks, Carol!! :)

Debbie

Canadian Rose--do you think a Californian would enjoy the book as well? I'm in zone 9 and don't deal with the weather issues the author would have.

Thanks for sharing this.

Oooh! I might just have to buy that one! Especially since he's right around where I am! NE Ohio.

I'm with barb422.....I have VdB and I think it is going to be glorious this year (finally, I might add). I got it from the ARE about three years ago (it was my daughter's favorite out there) and it hadn't done too much until this year. It does have long arching canes (yes, it would look great pegged) but there are buds all along the canes. Mine is in a pot and needs to be planted in an appropriate setting. I am thinking about putting it on a pillar. It is no more disease-prone (BS mostly) than most other stuff (which is practically everything here). And it does only bloom once, but I didn't think there was anything wrong with that?

Ok, this is a posting on a book review, not VdB! I guess we all can't help piping in and telling our own experience with a particular variety and boy does it always differ, no matter what the rose is!

Lynn

Well, Carol, I've just finished reading the book...and I have two things to say about it:
- one, it was very well-written and informative, and I really enjoyed his style, just as you said I would,
- and two, I now have a list as long as my arm of roses that I NEED to order for next spring! I swore I wouldn't add any more to my pot ghetto, but he sure is a smooth talker:0). The one thing that saves me from going berserk is that a lot of the ones I was interested in are not available in Canada (from Pickering or Palatine). Those will go on a list for the future, since they may be offered later on. Just 37 days to go before my two favourite nurseries start taking new orders LOL

Judith

Is this book mostly about OGRs?

Maryl - no it has all sorts of roses. It's been awhile since I read it - but I think he focuses on roses that do well in his winter hardiness zone - zone 5 I think. So if they survive his winters, they'll do fine for you.

Judith - glad you liked it. I think it was the best rose book I've ever read. So..... what's on your list??? Curious minds want to know!!

Carol

Carol, here's the list, and believe it or not, I have NO room left in my garden LOL Obviously, I will have to pare it down, just a little. Thank goodness for pots...

Not Available (Yet!) at Pickering/Palatine:

Karen Blixen
Jardins de Bagatelle
Martine Guillot
Narzisse
Pretty Lady
Sri-un
Silver Jubilee
Truly Yours
Urdh
Violette Parfumee

Available to order:

Vick's Caprice
Duchesse de Montebello
Compte de Chambord
Jacqueline du Pre
Ispahan
Laguna
Yolande D'aragon (2nd try - ordered last spring but ended up not being available)
Aloha (the Boerner one, not the Kordes)
Bride's Dream

The author says these are all hardy enough (with a little protection) in zone 5, so hopefully I will be able to grow them here.

Wish me luck!

Judith

Oooh - that's a nice list - pretty long too! :) - and you have no more room!! Time to be creative!!! LOL

I would love to have these from your list

Jardins de Bagatelle
Urdh (gotta love that name!!)
Vick's Caprice

A lot of the other ones, I don't know what they're like. But I really hope you can find them all!!! Good luck!!!

Carol :)

Yeah, Urdh is a pretty original name, that's for sure...but so pretty!

Haha, Carol, I am ALWAYS plotting and planning new and unusual ways to add more roses to my garden....and while the wheels are spinning, they can live in pots on my deck and balcony!
I am lucky enough this year to have access to a community garden plot, so I can move at least 4, maybe even 5 roses over there. I'm not allowed to exceed 25% of the area for any one species, plus I am also growing veggies and berries there and need to save some room. I can just see me next year, slowly but surely spreading past the limit...they'll probably end up kicking me out for breaking all the rules LOL

Judith

LOL

Maybe all rosers are sneaky - I can just sneak in one more rose without my Significant Other finding out!! And who can say no to more roses? Right?

Carol :)

I did it! I bought the book! I can't wait to read it! He lives so close by to where I am. I should get some good tips for this area then!

Cathy

You'll love it Cathy!!! Especially if it's your zone - how lucky are you!!! Hey - he should be giving me royalties!! LOL

I'm going to reread mine this winter.

There's such a derth of books for my zone, and since I have my roses in pots - his info works for me too.

Carol

Ha, Carol, you're right - certainly no one on this forum can resist more roses! And I agree, maybe he SHOULD be paying you a little something LOL

Cathy, read it at your own peril...:)

Judith