Wild Roses of Britain and Ireland

Wild Roses of Great Britain and Ireland, by Roger Maskew and Gareth Knass, has recently been published by the BSBI. This new Handbook is the most comprehensive account of the wild roses of Great Britain and Ireland ever published. It is the result of over thirty years of field recording, as well as extensive literature and herbarium research, which has uncovered much previously unpublished historical information.

It features species accounts for 15 native rose species, more than 20 aliens, and most of the 82 hybrids recorded in Britain and Ireland. It is 285 pages long and beautifully illustrated with more than 250 photographs. Details of habitat, frequency and distribution, local variation, temporal changes and history are given for the majority of the species and more common hybrids. A dichotomous key includes native species, the more frequent aliens, and three common and widespread hybrids.

Anyone with the 'old' BSBI roses handbook (No. 7, published in 1993), will find the taxonomy has changed considerably. Although rose season is still some months away, WBS members may wish to consider investing in a copy.  Available for around £25 from e.g. Summerfield Books, NHBS.