Antique Roses for the South

A new, updated edition of the popular Antique Roses for the South has been released in large paperback form, and will be welcomed by rosarians, historians and gardeners for its wealth of relevant material about Old Roses and their selection, sources and care.

Bill Welch's interest in the surviving Old Roses, many times unnamed and unattended in cemeteries and old landscapes, was instrumental in creating the present-day demand for these tough and time-tested survivors. He first began by noticing the handsome and lasting qualities of the 'Old Blush' China roses that had been part of his own family's gardening heritage for many years in Central Texas, and took cuttings from the unknown 'Maggie' and the double form of R. palustris scandens which still grew at the site of his wife Diane's grandmother's home in North Louisiana. The unknown rose 'Natchitoches Noisette', for instance, was collected from the American cemetery in Natchitoches, La.

At one of the early Southern Garden History Society meetings in Williamsburg, Virginia, Bill and Peggy Cornett (Director of the Historical Plant Collection at Monticello) discovered a beautiful specimen of 'Cl. Cramoisi Superieur' and were able to authenticate its planting date and obtained permission to take cuttings for further distribution, and slowly his collection of antique roses grew. Some were identified; the original names of others remain unknown.

Chapters include narratives on the searches for forgotten Old Roses, landscaping with Old Garden Roses (including lists of plants by outstanding characteristics such as fragrance, height, color, type, hip characteristics, and arranging the Old Roses), and the use of roses in floral arrangements. There are contributions from S.J. Derby and the late Margaret Sharpe, as well as material on rose crafts including potpourri, waxed roses, and dried roses.

Numerous color illustrations make this an excellent reference book to carry in the field or in the nursery for identification purposes.

Dr. Bill Welch's interest in the surviving Old Roses, many times unnamed and unattended in cemeteries and old landscapes, was instrumental in creating the present-day demand for these tough and time-tested survivors. Taylor Trade Publishing: $24.95.

Comments from Taylor Trade Publishing include:

"In this updated edition of Antique Roses for the South, rose expert William C. Welch updates the latest information and top sources for antique roses. The book is filled with gorgeous images and offers chapters on care and propagation, landscaping and arranging, and rose crafts. The comprehensive dictionary lists more than 100 of these magnificent flowers, complete with helpful descriptions.

William C. Welch serves as Extension Landscape Specialist in the Department of Horticulture Sciences at Texas A&M. For nearly thirty years, Bill has served on the board of Texas Garden Clubs, Inc., as Landscape Design Chairman. He is a past president and current board member of the Southern Garden History Society and member-at-large of the Garden Club of America. He is the author of Perennial Garden Color and coauthor of The Southern Heirloom Garden and The Bountiful Flower Garden. He resides in College Station, Texas."