I'm not an expert by any means, and I don't know what goals you have in mind for your site, or your taste/preference, but these are ones I have referred to quite a bit. They may well be out of print; check your public library. :-)

Smith, P. Allen. _P. Allen Smith's Garden Home._ I like this because he 1) uses old roses 2)discusses the twelve principles of landscape design: enclosure; shape and form; framing the view; entry; focal point; structures; color; texture/rhythm; abundance; whimsy; mystery; time. The author lives in Little Rock so his plant suggestions are appropriate for the American South.

Druitt, Liz and G. Michael Shoup. _Landscaping with Antique Roses._ This is more about the roses themselves, rather than a design book as above.

Primeau, Liz. _Front Yard Gardens: Growing More than Grass_
With two acres you might not want/need this as much as those of us in cramped city lots!

Damrosch, Barbara. _Theme Gardens: How to Plan, Plant and Grow 16 Gloriously Different Gardens._ I bought this 22 years ago while still a graduate student living in a shoebox dorm room, but I dreamed of having a garden one day. Her chapter on "A Garden of Old Roses" ignited my interest in OGRs which has never gone out. :-)

Thanks for the suggestions. Funnily enough, I have the P. Allen Smith book. I just forgot about it. I've heard of the Druitt/Shoup book, so I've got to just get it now. That is also highest praise for the Theme Gardens book. I'll look for it. I don't know for sure what I want either--something old-fashioned and cottagey, but BIG. I want mixed planting too. I need inspiration so it starts looking like planned chaos. I could do all the perimeter of the house, no problem. As I work away from the house I'm finding it hard.

This doesn't exactly meet your criteria, but I found it extremely useful for "thinking" about where and how I should plant roses, and that's Gertrude Jekyll's book "Roses for English Gardens." In fact, all of her books give great advice for how to think of laying out your garden. Same for Vita Sackville-West. Both classic garden writers that are very enjoyable to read. Also, check out Beth Chatto. You might also consider Antique Roses for the South. There's a great SC writer from the past whose name escapes me, but she has lots of practical advice.

--Ron

What Lemecdutex says, plus anything by Penelope Hobhouse.

Léonie Bell and Helen Van Pelt Wilson wrote some excellent gardening books that featured old roses. The books were written 30-40 years ago but old roses are still old roses. No color eye candy, but packed with information. They are plant-centric rather than design-centric, but they would make a good companion to a landscape design book that lacked much information on roses.

Rosefolly

Diana Saville's books on garden design include a number of OGRs in photos, especially "Gardens for Small Country Houses".

I bought a TON of landscaping and rose books this spring.

For shaping the yard and putting in bones (important for large areas like you have):
Ortho Complete Guide to Landscaping

If you are going to put a formal courtyard anywhere on the property:
Beautiful American Rose Gardens (Dorra)

But for getting organzied and going I strongly recommend you get the Southern Living Landscape Book (ISBN0-376-03876-4) This book I have had for years and refer to a LOT. Its not just for rose growers....this book has it all.

BTW...go to Amazon.com. You can buy most of these books for way less than full price!

HTH

Ronda

Muhh favorite inspirational picture book isVisions of Roses by Peter Beals. It is so beautiful and you can get used copies cheaply from Powell's online or Alibris. Favorite picture is of a red Don Juan growaing up the rocky face of a mountain but there are many things that a normal gardenere can attempt. It does make one long for architecature.
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