The rose is a companionable and serviceable flower, and not always the haughty beauty which she is sometimes made out to be. (An excerpt from Chapter One: The Queen of Flowers)

{HISTORY} 

Published in November 1930 by Frederick Frye Rockwell (1884-1976), Roses was a part of a series called the Home Garden Handbooks,  which were reference manuals intended for the home hobbyist, particularly those working with small spaces. Other subjects tackled in the series included Shrubs, Gladiolus, Evergreens for the Small Place, Rock Gardens, Irises, Dahlias, and Lawns. 

When it came to roses, F.F. had a special place in his heart for this beauty of the cultivated landscape. It was in the hearts of millions of Americans, too, as it had just been voted America's National Flower in 1930. But wrapped up in all this universal love was the myth that growing roses was complicated and difficult, something elusive and mysterious to the everyday home gardener. F.F., in his book, set out to dispel all that. 

He approached Roses in the same way that any gardener would approach adding a new botanical specimen to the landscape. Up to date with all the latest rose varieties, he included information here in this handbook on all the roses that were typically found in late 1920s-early 1930s garden catalogs, so that the info would be accessible to everyone.. He included information on garden design and placement, on how to plant, maintain, and care for roses season by season, and a detailed list of diseases and pests that commonly affect roses.

Once all this info was compiled, what resulted in this slim 88-page book was a complete basic understanding of rose care, cultivation, and enjoyment, complete with black and white photographs and drawings.  

Published just three years before he would become the first garden editor on staff at The New York Times, Frederick's passion for gardening yielded a lifelong career and the respect of plant and flower enthusiasts around the country.  

Holding his garden editor position at The New York Times for over a decade, he also wrote for McCall's magazine, House and Garden, and Farm Journal, among others. He founded his own magazine, The Home Garden, and published over 25 garden books throughout his life. His second wife, Esther Grayson, joined him as co-author and expert on over 10 of those book projects. 

Needless to say, Frederick was a beloved authority and trusted expert when it came to gardening in America during the 20th century. Chances are if roses were growing well in a home garden anywhere across the U.S., Frederick most likely influenced their care and cultivation in one way or another.

Full of timeless wisdom and useful knowledge, most editions of The Home Garden Handbooks are scarce these days. The Roses volume, in particular, is harder to find.   

Photo of F.F. Rockwell & Esther Grayson courtesy of The Boston Globe, July 24, 1968

{SPECIAL FEATURES}

• 1930 Edition
• 88 pages including detailed index
• Includes black and white photographs and line drawings executed by both Frederick Frye Rockewell and George Hollrock
  
• Decorated coverboard

{CONDITION}

In lovely vintage condition, this book is bright and clean throughout with no spots, stains or notations. The spine is tight, and all pages are intact. 

{SIZE}

Measures 7.5" inches (length) x 5" inches (width) x .5"inches (thickness) and weighs 10 oz. 

{FOR THE LOVE OF FREDERICK AND FLOWERS}

Find more vintage books about rose gardening in the shop here. Find more of Frederick and Esther's books in the shop here.