He’s only got 630 favorites

If the word “rose” brings to mind rust, aphids and a lot of work, run out and buy a copy of Peter Beales’ latest book, subtitled “Peter Beales’ Comprehensive Guide to Landscaping With Roses.” Though comprehensive and highly informative, this book is, most of all, a gripping love story that will entice the “rosaphobic” and rose lover alike. Leaf through the 250 pages, filled with lush photographs and intimate musings, and you will find yourself, hours later, under the rose’s spell.

Beales, an Englishman and one of the world’s top authorities on roses, offers landscaping advice (for him, roses are perfect companion plants), growing and pruning tips, historical nuggets (including how many roses were named), and personal observations on more than 630 of his favorite roses. (Clearly, it was tough to limit the count to that.)

He adores but doesn’t love blindly. The ‘Charles de Mills’ is bold and beautiful but almost scentless and the ‘Prince Charles’ is a bit stingy with its flowers.

His devotion may be best summed up in his reflection on the difficult-to-grow ‘Vanity’: “I can never understand why I like this rather cantankerous Hybrid Musk, but it must have something to do with the fact that it has a little more than its fair share of charm, and is willing to share this with me.”

Christy Hobart