Tales of the Rose Tree

by Jane Brown

Triffid or treasure? The rhododendron has its origins in China and the Himalayas but has long exerted a romantic fascination for Western travellers. It reached London in the 16th century. In the 19th century the rhododendron was taken up by gardening gurus Gertrude Jekyll and Edwin Lutyens. Littleworth became a centre for rhododendron hybrids and its literary connections (the Tennysons were regular visitors in the 1870s) brought Johnny Millais, son of the artist, to the doorstep in the early 20th century. Millais founded the Rhododendron Society in 1915, though after the death of its chief supporter, Lionel Rothschild, it was taken over by the Royal Horticultural Society, to the indignation of its members. In the 20th century the discovery of numerous varieties of the vireya species opened a new era in rhododendron cultivation. Colour photos.

320 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Cara Conroy · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF. I really wanted to like this and give it a chance. I would have liked more about the different Rhododendron species, what makes them unique and distribution, and less about every single person who planted one in the past 200 years. Fortunately, this didn't kill my fondness for my Rhody friends but this book is unreadable.

[Godine Publisher & Black Sparrow Press · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Painstakingly, she tracks the rhododendron through history, myth, art, literature."
-Dana Goodyear, New York Times Book Review

"Brown's entertaining homage to the majestic rhododendron provides a voluminous exploration of the development and significance of this luciously romantic and elegantly exotic garden gem."
-Booklist

"This well-researched romp through the horticultural history of a widely grown ornamental plant is highly recommended for all libraries and for general readers and specialists alike."
-Brian Lym, Library Journal

"A quick dash through Jane Brown's chatty book will make you feel like royalty."
-Laurence A. Marschall, Natural History Magazine

[Alison Kagen]

Almost unreadable. Don't believe the cover ("learned & lively paean to the rhododendron") - the only reason it gets more than 1 star is the additional material: list of rhody gardens, some nice photos & other illustrations. But even there - poorly referenced. Worst is it's wordy, vague, off-topic, in serious need of a focus once she's worked out who her audience is. Big disappointment.

[Dylan · Rating 5 out of 5]

marvelous book! please read! you owe it to yourself and your candles! a tale of how people must look into themselves before others.

[Brody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't think of anything better on God's green Earth. If you read this book (which I suggest you do) you will be a better person for it.

[Devarajan]

gfdg