The English Roses

Preface English roses have developed considerably since I wrote my previous book in 1993. Many new varieties have been introduced while others -- now considered to be inferior -- have been dropped. As a result, the beauty of English Roses, both in flower and in growth, has been greatly enhanced. Health and vigour has also been improved. Not only have English Roses developed in beauty; they have also broadened widely in the range of their beauty, so that as we walk around a garden of English Roses we can always come across something different. As a result of all this, it has become necessary to divide them into six sub-groups, each with its own particular character, so that gardeners may better understand them and enjoy them more completely. These six groups are described for the first time in this book. The new Climbing English Roses are among the most interesting. With all these developments, it is only natural that we have had new insights into the way in which English Roses can be used in the garden. The greater range opens up further possibilities, all of which are discussed in Part III. Creating a book of this kind is inevitably a team effort and I would like to take this opportunity of thanking all those who have made a contribution: Andrew Lawson, Howard Rice, Ron Dakin and others, for their magnificent photographs; Erica Hunningher, not only for editing the book, but for providing so much wise advice; Ken Wilson for his elegant design; and not least, Diane Ratcliff for her work, patience and skill in typing the manuscript and helping me generally in my task. Finally, I would like to thank my son David J. Austin, without whom English Roses, as we know them today, would not have been possible.Austin, David is the author of 'The English Roses', published 2008 under ISBN 9781554073511 and ISBN 1554073510.