Containing an extensively illustrated reference section, this book traces the history of the rose, which has exerted a hold over man's imagination since ancient Egyptian times. To Cleopatra and the Roman emperors it was associated with luxury and to the early Christians it was a symbol of the Virgin, while in the Middle Ages it signified both romance and war. And the origins of the plant are no less mysterious. Was it China, Arabia, Greece or Mesopotamia from which the first rose burst forth? With more than 1000 colour photographs and practical advice on planting and cultivation, the book covers ancient and modern roses, including David Austin's miniatures, floribundas and hybrid teas. Biographies of modern rose-breeders show how the rose continues to develop today.