How to Grow Roses by Pyle, McFarland & Stevens ©1930
‘Mary Wallace’ from “How to Grow Roses” by Pyle, McFarland & Stevens ©1930
Years ago my grandfather was scaling back his vast, enviable library and I was lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time and came home with a pile of old gardening books. I finally got around to scanning and saving the pretty photos from How to Grow Roses and uploading them to the Help Me Find database for others to enjoy and use as a reference. There are over 30 photos illustrating some beloved old roses such as Dr. Van Fleet, Harrison’s Yellow, and Paul’s Scarlet Climber, to name a few. I was happy to be able to provide the first photo on HMF’s database for Madame Anth. Kluis, a carmine-red polyantha from 1924. If you’re reading this post, then you must already have an interest in roses and therefore it’s a good chance you already know about the Help Me Find database. But if you don’t, I highly recommend you become acquainted with it, and hopefully make the very small donation to become a supporting member. I can’t tell you the number of times I refer to HMF to reference a rose; it’s become such an invaluable resource. (HMF also provides a database for peonies and clematis.) That being said, if you’re at all curious to see the complete list of photos I’ve uploaded from How to Grow Roses, click HERE for my HMF profile. This is a beautiful time of year for roses. The warm days and cool nights have provided the ideal conditions for some stunning late-summer blooms. I hope you’re all getting a chance to enjoy the garden as we get ready to turn the corner to autumn!
What a lovely share Lara! Old books like this and of course the HMF database help to keep rosarians informed. You’re to be complimented for pulling this all together! Saving garden history matters 🙂
Kathy
I agree with Kathy, it is so wonderful that you are providing all this rose history and information. It is invaluable!
One of my favorite memories of dad was when he would come home from work, change into his shorts and walking shoes, and we would walk around the yard together, stopping at the roses to admire them, and save them from any bug that might be attacking them. He loved roses just as you do!
Thank you both! I’m just pleased I was able to give a little back to HMF as they’ve helped me so much already. 🙂
Mom, I really really really wish Grandpa was still here to visit my roses and show him how well the Van Fleet roses are doing. Maybe he’s watching over the garden, though…
I have this book! (and a whole bookcase full of other rose books, including an almost complete set of American Rose annuals.) I find that these are a huge help to me. Since I grow so many old roses, it helps to know the context in which they were created, and the rose ‘culture’ of the early to mid 20th century … when the American Rose Society was run by the very authors of the book you feature today.
Van Fleet roses? He’s my favorite hybridizer and I grow every one of his roses that I can get my hands on. He was a genius!
Connie, one of these days I’m going to have to visit your rose garden. From the pictures on your blog it looks AMAZING!
What a lovely post. I grow Harrison Yellow and New Dawn (whose parent is Dr. Van Fleet) and I love them dearly! The history of old roses is so fascinating!
It really is! Thank you Teresa!