Roses are the Queen of Flowers. They're beautiful, fragrant, and elegant - and roses require all the pampering of a real Queen, don't they? Actually, they don't! Rose gardening can be easy and pleasant. I've worked 25 years in horticulture and cared for over 300 roses in a public rose garden when I was municipal horticulturist. I found ways to keep rose gardening fussbudgetry to a minimum while growing vigorous roses that bloomed their heads off. Rose to the Occasion: An Easy-Growing Guide to Rose Gardening shares tricks and shortcuts that rosarians use, plus simple ways you can keep up with your to-do list in the rose garden. Gardeners of all skill levels will find this book helpful, whether they be beginning gardeners or old rosarians, whether they have a green thumb or a brown thumb. Rose to the Occasion includes* old illustrations of roses in bloom, plus historical background on each flower* down-to-earth wisdom on how to plant, grow, and prune roses* the in and out of fertilizing roses to get the lushest foliage and best blooms* advice on choosing the right rose for your garden, as well as many easy-growing varieties* the latest on organic pest control and fungicide use in the rose garden* hardy, tough old roses that can take whatever Mother Nature throws at them* and general garden maintenance help that you can use anywhere in the garden. If you love The Rose Bible by Rayford Clayton Reddell, or books by David Austin, or books like Right Rose, Right Place; or Everyday Roses: How to Grow Knock Out(R) and Other Easy-Care Garden Roses; or The Organic Rose Garden, and if you like garden books leavened with humor -- then this book is for you.