Editorial Review

Features

• 48" seat width, 32" high
• Cast-iron rose blossom inlay between horizontal oak slats
• Ergonomic oak slat seating with three support brackets
• Sturdy cast-iron and solid oak construction
• Dark green verdigris finish on cast iron parts

Reviews (36)

A very good bench
Recieved bench in about a week, however I live close to the warehouse. Shipping box was slightly torn but materials intact. I could see how some complaints about missing hardware could occur if the box had greater damage. The company needs to use sturdier shipping boxes for sure.

About the bench, the color of the wood I received is stained a dark cherry red, not the light brown displayed in the picture. But wood eventually changes color after exposed to the elements anyway. You need about 1 to 2 hours to assemble it. You need a pair of plyers, a philips screw driver, and a *drill* for sure when installing the stablizer strips.

During assembly, be sure not to tighten everything at once. Everything should be loose at first. Tighten in cycles to make sure wood slats and sides fit into place. If things don't appear to fit, shift bench to get pieces in place. When attaching the three metal stabilizer strips, don't worry that they don't exactly fit the contour of the bench. Once the screws are gradually tightened (in cycles) the metal bends to the shape you want. You will need a drill to make the holes for the stabilizer strips (the wood is hard). If you accidently drill all the way through the wood slat, you can patch it later with some chaulking material.

Once completed, the bench is very sturdy and strong. It is a small bench and very attractive thanks to the side metal design. It definitely is a deal for the price. The item description erroneously states the shipping weight as 20 pounds. It is a heavy bench, and has a quality look and feel.

Originally I was thinking of getting the Astonica Ivy bench but this one has full wood support in the back. Plus I figured the Ivy bench metal part would be cold in the winter, and hot in the summer. This bench is cheaper too.

The reason I did not give it 5 stars is that the color of the wood is different than advertised.

Atrractive and Comfortable Addition to Outdoor Settings
This review refers to the "Astonica" Traditional Cast Iron and Oak Slat Bench......

Once you get this bench assembled it is a nice addition to any outdoor furniture grouping. It is attractive, sturdy, durable,comfortable, and the price is right! So 4 stars right out of the gate for those qualities.

Now for ease of assembly....My son(also attractive and sturdy!) put this bench together for me. It took him exactly an hour by himself, although there were a couple of times where an extra pair of hands to hold things in place helped. He said it probably would have taken alot less time, had he NOT followed the instruction booklet that came with the bench. So a little tip if you are planning on buying this....the instuctions say to put the two end pieces and the middle slat in place first. He did this and found he then had to take the middle slat out and work from the bottom(the seat) up, as each slat needs to be indivually attached. There are also cast iron brackets(as well as the arms)that go on the back of the bench to make it more supportive and unlike the slats, the holes are not pre-drilled for these.The hardware is nice looking and it came with a few extras.

Of the three attractive styles to choose from here, I went with the traditional bench for several reasons. I liked the look of the one continous line of the oak(a deep reddish brown) combined with the cast iron arms(dark green), it is simple yet elegant looking and doesn't detract from the garden or yard area. It is comfortable and supportive on my back, and is easier to clean than the more ornate styles. You'll also find it is roomy enough for 2 adults.

The bench came with a Limited Warranty(1 Yr. from purchase date) and an 800 customer service number to call for any questions or problems you may have.

An attractive, comfortable, useful addition to any outdoor living setting at a reasonable price... Relax and enjoy....Laurie

Reviews (4)

Flowers of Chateau Malmaison
I read about Redoute while researching the history of Chateau Malmaison. Malmaison is a small property in Moulis, which is in the Medoc region of Bordeaux in France. Yes, Chateau Malmaison makes wine... their 2000 vintage is fabulous, and worth looking for.

But anyway, Josephine de Beauharnais purchased Malmaison in 1799 for her and Napolean, and in 1800-1802, Malmaison (together with the Tuileries) was the seat of government.

Josephine planted and expanded the rose gardens of the Chateau, and was very interested in natural science. She commissioned Redoute to paint the rose garden of Malmaison (and their lilies, too).

If Redoute's work is interesting to you, you may want to research a little bit about Empress Josephine and Chateau Malmaison. At the very least, consider buying a bottle of 2000 Chateau Malmaison wine... and browse this book in a few years over a glass or two. That would be the next best thing to visiting the rose garden in person.

Exquisite!

Pierre-Joseph Redoute was the Audubon of flowers--particularly roses and lilies. His artwork is stunning and he depicts the various varieties of roses in immaculate detail. An absolutely gorgeous book, published by Taschen and printed in Italy, my version is about 5"X 8" page size and the ISBN number is 3-8228-1356-7 (English version).

For the lover of roses, any illustrated book by Pierre-Joseph Redoute will be a treasure to admire for years.

Joseph Pierre

Reviews (10)

informative yet picturesque guide for roses around the world

For sometime I have been searching for a rose encyclopedia which not only reviews roses but also provides PHOTOS FOR EACH VARIETY REVIEWED. Alas, this book is the closest I am ever going to get!

In this book more than 1,500 roses around the world are discussed in detail. For each entry a description containing plant history, appearance, (e.g. flower color) and growing tips is accompanied with a COLOR (quite astonishing and beautiful!) photograph. In addition to these reviews, there are articles featuring the history and cultural significance of roses. Furthermore, the author includes several quick lists for roses with special qualities (e.g. fragrance). I find these lists very useful and rather handy during my plant and garden theme selection process.

I do have one complaint about the arrangement of the non-climbing roses. The author places the non-clmbing roses in the same category with climbing varieties. For someone who just wants to look for a climbing rose, there is no quick way of identifying one but to read through the entries within each category. Unfortunately, I can not find a quick list on that subject either. Oh, well, no one (in this case, no book) is perfect.

Nevertheless, I highly recommend this book to any reader. In fact, this book will no doubt take one's breath away. If you have ever wondered how a person could get "hooked" on roses, just take a look at the book cover (a floral arrangement of roses). Time to order!

Big type, easy to read....
Lately, I've been on a rose book collection spree, and a gift certificate for Valentine's Day allowed me to purchase two new and relatively expensive rose books, THE ULTIMATE ROSE BOOK and BOTANICA'S ROSES. Reading the reviews, I wondered which one would turn out to be "the best" however, both are excellent, and both have qualities that will make them more or less appealing to a reader and/or gardener.

THE ULTIMATE ROSE BOOK is much larger (taller, not thicker), but both books are very heavy. The quality of the photos in both books is excellent. The paper stock is fine and thick, but BOTANICA's is slick and glossy, while ULTIMATE ROSE is less reflective of light making it easier to read. Both contain additional information rose lovers will enjoy.

ULTIMATE ROSE contains fewer entries per page, but the type is much larger, making reading a bit easier for the sight impaired. Entries are in alphabetical order within three categories: "Wild Roses", "Old and Modern Roses" and "Miniature Roses." For example, in the main section, "Old and Modern Roses", Stirling Macoboy lists 'Honorine de Brabant' a bourbon rose with 'Honor' a large-flowered rose (modern hybrid) and 'Hot Chocolate' a cluster-flowered rose (i.e., floribunda). The subtitle of Macoboy's book is "1,500 roses...selected for their beauty, fragrance and enduring popularity." His entries include some information about parentage, blooming pattern, and a bit of history. For example, I just purchased a 'Comte de Chambord' rose and ULTIMATE ROSE is the first of a dozen books to tell me the rose is named for the sad son of Charles X who refused the crown of France and died in exile.

BOTANICA'S also follows an alphabetical scheme, grouping roses into "Wild Roses" and everything else A-Z. BOTANICA'S lists 'Honorine de Brabant' with 'Honore de Balzac' and 'Hoot Owl', but also lists 'Honor' and 'Hot Chocolate' which ULTIMATE ROSE does not. BOTANICA'S also lists Growing Zones in addition to growing conditions and information about parentage and blooming.

In summary, if you can afford it, buy both books as they both contain useful and interesting information that surprisingly does not overlap. If you are more concerned with the nitty-gritty growing information, BOTANICA'S is the better buy. If you want an easy to read book with a bit of history and mythical lore, and a book that contians a select list of choices recommended by an expert rosarian, Macoboy's ULTIMATE ROSE is the better buy.

detailed, classic book
I love this book. I have been wanting to buy it for 2 years now and finally found it on amazon.com for much cheaper. At some stores this book goes for $100!

I love it because it is HISTORIC and GOOD FOR GARDENERS! I like how the author talks about the rose in a mythical and realistic point of view. He gives history and information for scientists.

I have never loved a book as much as I love this one. I treasure it. I am never going to let go of it. I especially love the front cover. The roses are all huddled together in different colors, and they almost appear as if they are people. The photography is magic!

Reviews (12)

Now, This Is A BOOK!!
WOW! Was I shocked when this huge bundle of joy showed up at my door! I anticipated a lot of pics but holy cow! I was able to use this hummer to identify 2 roses I had scoured other resources for in no time! (So far I only have 40 roses.)

It is beautifully written and the photos--pure eye candy! I adore roses so it was like giving a gourmet dinner to a starving person.

Those are the good points. I only have 2 nit-pickies that are hardly worth mentioning because I ADORE this book and recommend it 100% to any and all garden lovers. 1) The Cd-Rom tweeked on my computer--probably because I have version Windows ME..., 2) on the rose descriptions they forgot to share how big the roses would get. They used words like " a medium shrub". I figured that they meant about 5 feet but if you dont know roses its a necessary tid-bit.

So there. if you are unsure of spending the hefty sum on this book, don't think twice...BUY IT TODAY--And BTW Amazon has it the cheapest. GO ROSE HAPPY!! Do it...you won't be sorry.

A Most Complete Rose Book
This is the most complete rose book I have ever read because it has pictures for over 4,000 of the roses it describes. You local nursery of course has rose bushes in bloom for your inspection, and the larger mail order nurseries have color catalogs that at least give you an idea of what your rose would look like. But when ordering a unique or lesser-known rose from a smaller source, a catalog description is all that is available to you. This book has clear and beautiful pictures of almost any rose you would consider. My copy of the book also came with a CD, which has all the pictures from the book plus a search tool that lets you sort the pictures by attributes such as color, fragrance, size or awards. I have used the CD even more than the book.

Editorial Review

Dorling Kindersley publishes the most beautiful of illustrated books;their expertise with layout and color photography is especially welcome in bookson plants and gardens. The minute you open the cover to find front and back endpapers in rose pink, you get a clue about the quality of this volume. Fourhundred color photographs celebrate the long history of the rose, paying tributeto this most beloved of all flowers.

What flower is more immediately recognized than the rose? Despite this iconstatus, there is much confusion about the various kinds of roses. Thus, choosingwisely for the garden can be a puzzle. It is far too easy to be seduced by thosesilky petals and sweet perfume, but do you really need another hybrid tea? Thisbook can be enjoyed simply as a reference for identifying roses or as anexploration of the history and significance of roses. Because it's arranged bykind of rose, it makes clear the differences between species: noisettes, hybridperpetuals, etc. The most stunning flowers of all (and of course you may wellhave a different opinion) may be the old moss roses, with their fuzzy stems andflowers so doubled as to appear ruffled. Pages are filled with close-ups ofbreathtaking roses, individual blossoms photographed against a black backgroundto highlight form and color.

Reviews (3)

I am glued to this book! Help!
"The Rose Bible" is the best and most helpful book on roses I've ever browsed or read. The pictures are magnificient, the language is informative, honest, and humorous, and the history of roses is explained very well. There is a slight bias towards cutting as opposed to garden roses in the top fifty list, but the contents and organization are nearly flawless. No potpourri tips here! If you want to know where roses came from, what is available now (with strong and weak points for each), how to buy, feed, prune, protect roses, and if you don't mind drooling over hundreds of rose pictures in the most undignified fashion, this is the book you want.

A good gift book at this price!
Martha Stewart says it's full of inspired wisdom and knowledge- I wonder if she read it! The pictures are good- but much of the information is found in many other rose books I have in my library.

I could part with this book and never miss it- but then again I have a good size collection of Gardening and Landscape books. I suspect that the average person who loves roses would truly enjoy this, especially if it was the first rose book in the collection.

Some of the photographs would make great study photos for an art teacher to use to help her students study the structure of these flowers for drawing and painting.

Many different types of roses are covered, but only limited information on each is given. This book forms an overview of roses- with beatifull color photographs.

Reviews (2)

Good selection guide for finding roses
Taylor's Guides are popular tools for plant selection and this revised edition is no exception. The size of the new edition is a little larger than the old one but it is still a comfortable size for reading in bed or taking with you to the nursery. 380 roses are covered here, from all rose classes. 200+ pages are glossy and contain a color photograph of each rose. The gallery is followed by an "encyclopedia of roses" which gives basic information about growing the rose and how best to use it in the garden. A brief introduction covers the basics of buying roses, growing and caring for them. A chart is also included which explains pest and diseases and offers ecologically safe controls.

This is a good guide but if you are seeking a book that is more comprehensive and includes a larger selection of roses, you might want to check out "Botanica's Roses" by William Grant. This book includes over 2000 roses and is priced similarly. Also, the just released "American Rose Society Encyclopedia of Roses" is also outstanding but much higher in price.

Isbn: 1556522770
Sales Rank: 521567
Subjects:  1. Flowers - Roses    2. Gardening    3. Gardening / Horticulture    4. Gardening/Plants    5. Rose culture    6. Roses   

Reviews (2)

Practical and Useful
There are many books about roses but this is one of the better ones. Written by well-known garden host (HGTV and PBS) Jeff Cox, it is a beautiful yet practical book that delivers exactly what the title promises.

The first couple of hundred pages give you ideas for using roses in a whole range of different garden settings. The remainder explains how to buy, plant and care for roses. The advice is excellent for the novice or intermediate gardener. I give the writer full marks for not just providing a "directory of roses" - a cop-out all too often used to fill pages in garden books. Instead he shows how different types of roses can be used in the landscape.

The book has plenty of colour photographs showing roses used in different settings. I have to say that I was turned off by the hype on the cover. This is not a "ground-breaking book", the effects are not "dazzling" and as a guide it was useful rather than "inspirational". However, the writer has produced a practical, workman-like guide to effective landscape design using roses.

The book is well-designed and easy to read. I would recommend it to anyone who was thinkinf of incorporating roses into their garden.

Reviews (2)

Finally, what I've been looking for!
My friends and family all know I'm crazy about growing roses and collecting rose books. I'm often asked for just one book that a beginner could use easily, yet still not outgrow as his experience and interest expand. I know a number of books that fill part of this need, but not all. Finally I have found one I can recommend without reservation. This book covers the range from modern roses to antiques, why to choose own root or grafted roses, how to handles diseases and pests, and how to prepare the soil. The general orientation is for organic methods, but he presents the information without being judgmental. You won't feel guilty if you spray your roses, but he'll tell you how to avoid it most of the time by choosing easy-care varieties well suited to your own climate. All this, and I haven't yet mentioned the beuatiful photographs and helpful instructional drawings.

Reviews (9)

Helpful information, but the book falls apart
I received this book a couple of days ago from Amazon, and while the information and photographs are helpful, the pages are falling out. It's a paperback and it just seems to be pretty shoddily put together. Kind of a hassle to have to return it especially since I live in Europe.

Easy, helpful reading!
This book is excellent for beginners; it covers all aspects of growing roses, from selection and planting to pruning and disease control. It doesn't assume the reader has any prior knowledge, so it doesn't use obscure phrases or terms, and it explains things in a clear, east-to-understand way. The best "basics" book on roses I've seen.

Reviews (2)

Great instructions and info, plus beautiful pictures
This is a practical, pretty, and highly useful book for anyone who wants to smell the roses, especially in climates less temperate than the west coast.

The number of roses included is far from encyclopaedic, but for the roses Ms Wilde does include, she reports thoroughly on on their disease susceptibility, growth habit, hardiness, fragrance, and more. In nearly all cases, a gorgeous color photo accompanies. In fact, stripped of its useful information, this book would still be a fine buy for its large color photos. Before the gallery of roses, you'll find clear and helpful instructions about how to prepare for planting and how to accomplish the actual planting. Although the emphasis obviously centers on organic methods, this is a fine general reference on growing roses.

The book itself seems reasonably well put together. I haven't spent months poring over it yet, but I do not have the early feeling of dread when a poorly glued book seems ready to fall apart in my hands. Probably part of the reason is that the book is large enough to be helpful, but not so large that its very size works to break it apart. The format, in other words, allows for some large and luscious eye candy, but it is not as big as many modern illustrated gardening books which should really come with their own stands.

Photographs, clear drawings, and lucid instructions and descriptions make this book a pleasure to own and and treasure to use.

Reviews (13)

I would give it 10 Stars if I could!
I'll be the first to admit it that when it comes to gardening, I'm more of a greenhorn than a green thumb. In ROSES FOR DUMMIES, I have found a friend. This book is exceptional for several reasons. First it goes step-by-step through cultivating roses. And the lists are wonderful.

Lists for roses that can survive bitterly cold winters; hot and dry summers; hot and humid summers, lists of "can't miss" roses, as well of the roses to avoid (for various reasons.)

The step-by-step approach is typical of "...For Dummies" books and does not assume a knowledge of roses, flowers or gardenings.

While there may be books just as good for beginning rose gardeners, I don't see how it is possible for there to be a better book.

This book's definitely a keeper for rose growers
I have almost 40 rose books in my collection and I've read them all cover to cover, some many times. I didn't expect what I got from this book - new information that that wasn't included in weighty books for serious rose growers. This book demystifies the culture of roses, gives good advice in an easily read style. Its a great read and a painless way to learn enough to go right into rose growing - whether its just a couple of roses or major rose beds!

Reviews (2)

Wonderful rose reference for northern gardeners
Not only is this book the best reference, but the only one that gives novices as well as the advanced growers the information on growing healthy roses in the colder zones. It classifies the different types of roses that can be grown well, how to plant them, prune them, maintain them, select them and where to buy them. If non-hardy hybrid teas are your choice, it has excellent pictures giving the step-by-step method of tipping roses for winter protection. Roses hardy for the north are all listed - the old garden roses up to the newly hybridized Canadian hardy roses. Anyone wanting to grow roses in the north needs this excellent reference!

Reviews (6)

NH Yankee in King Arthur's Garden
WOW!!! The pictures of the roses in this book are unmatched by any other publication. I have for many years been a Hybrid Tea Rose fan, but after reading this book and after visiting several gardens with Austin's roses in them, I have been converted. I just ordered over 20 bushes and I cannot wait for their arrival next spring. I agree with a previous reviewer who commented that the writing is self serving at times, but Austin's passion for his plants can be understood. Austin's comments about group plantings and his recommendations concerning minimiums for plantings of each species, I found invaluable. I believe this book is well worth the price and will win you over to a relatively new breed of rose.

My Favorite Rose Book
This book is what started my passion for roses and transformed me into a true gardener. I carried the book around with me for days, amazed that nature could create such beautiful flowers. Within two months I was watering my new English Rose garden comprised of 16 roses from the pages of this beautiful book! If you even think you love roses, you must get this book!

Reviews (1)

Reviews (2)

Almost a required book for "budding" rose growers
Along with Ortho's "All About Roses", and HP Books' Roses, How To Select, Grow and Enjoy", this is the backbone of the easy way to learn about roses. As an introduction to some or the "mysteries" about growing roses, this book and the other two mentioned have no equals. The illustrations are great and there are a lot of color photos of rose varieties, making a good picture book as well as a good "How To" book. I think everyone who has an interest in roses will enjoy this book and also the other two mentioned.

Isbn: 1842150251
Sales Rank: 1493340
Subjects:  1. Flower Arranging    2. Flowers - Roses    3. Gardening    4. Gardening / Horticulture    5. Gardening/Plants   

Editorial Review

While gardeners often start out with hybrid tea roses, they most often end up growing the healthier and supremely fragrant old roses. Who can resist their crumpled petals in soft watercolor shades and their penetrating fragrance of baby powder and cold cream, let alone their lengthy and flamboyant histories?100 Old Roses for the American Garden has pulled together a selected hundred of the best, with stunning color photographs and cultural information.

And the names--who could resist 'Alister Stella Gray' (a golden rambler), or 'Enfant de France' (a rose-pink hybrid perpetual dating from 1860)? You might want to track down 'Sydonie,' a shell-pink damask described as having deep, pervasive perfume and generous rebloom. This task will be made easier by the appendices at the back of the book listing mail-order sources for old roses, and public gardens that display them.