Books by James Rose

Rose, James C. Creative Gardens. New York: Reinhold Publishing Corporation; 1958. This is Rose’s first book expounding modernism in both his theory and practice. (Numerous color and black & white photos and plans)

Rose, James C. Gardens Make Me Laugh. Norwalk, CT: Silvermine Publishers; 1965. Rose’s second book with drawings by Osborn is a humorous essay reflecting on the nature of Rose’s contemporary landscape architectural practice.

Rose, James C. The Heavenly Environment. Hong Kong: New City Cultural Service, LTD; 1987. Rose’s last book, described by him as “A landscape drama in three acts with a backstage interlude.” In it the mature theory and practice of Rose are imaginatively expressed. This book is for sale at the James Rose Center.

Snow, Marc. Modern American Gardens. New York: Reinhold Publishing Corp.; 1967. This book was written by Rose under the pseudonym Marc Snow- It contains extensive photographs of Rose’s work. And presents Rose’s conception of modern garden design as and its immediate antecedents in both theory and practice. (Photos)

Film By Rose

Rose, James C. The Heavenly Environment and Other Crimes; 1986. The accompanying CD to Rose’s last book, described by him as “A landscape drama in three acts with a backstage interlude.” In it the mature theory and practice of Rose are imaginatively expressed.

Publications By Rose

(Note: Pencil Points magazine is now Progressive Architecture.)

Rose, James C. “Are You a Plant Snob.” California Arts and Architecture. April 1941; 58: 30, 46. Rose discusses criteria for plant selection in the garden.

Rose, James C. “Articulate Form in Landscape Design.” Pencil Points. February 1939, 20: 98-100. Reprinted as: Rose, James C. “Articulate Form in Landscape Design.” in Modern Landscape Architecture. ed. Marc Treib. Cambridge: The MIT Press; 1991. Rose discusses form and materials in relation to modern design, stating that they are the result of contemporary living and are not pre-determined.

Rose, James C. “Bogeys in the Landscape.” California Arts and Architecture. November 1940; 57: 27, 38. Rose asserts modern landscape design should reflect the necessities for vital living. (Photograph of model)

Rose, James C. “A Chinese Puzzle Comes Apart.” January 1962. Book review. New Japanese Architecture by Udo Kultermann

Rose, James C. “Dear American Home: Developed for North Atlantic Conditions.” American Home. September 1946: 76- 77.

Rose, James C. “Freedom in the Garden.” Pencil Points. October 1938, 19: 640-644. Reprinted in Rose, James C. “Freedom in the Garden.” in Modern Landscape Architecture. ed. Marc Treib. Cambridge: The MIT Press; 1991. In this article Rose compares architecture, sculpture and landscape architecture; they are similar because all are based on space relations, yet landscape architecture is unique in that its elements are dynamic. (Photos and axons)

Rose, James C. “Gardens.” California Arts and Architecture. May 1940; 57. In this article Rose professes that modern architecture and art reflect changes in contemporary living, and landscape architecture should follow suit. (Photograph of model)

Rose, James C. “Garden Details.” California Arts and Architecture. July 1941; 58: 28-29,38-39. Rose discusses Thomas Church’s gardens.

Rose, James C. “The Hanging Garden.” California Arts and Architecture. August 1940; 57;25, 37. Rose asserts that design should follow the natural contours of the land.

Rose, James C. “Hillside House Solves the Difficult Problem of Solar Orientation.” Architectural Forum. April 1947; 86: 126-128.

Rose, James C. “House in Pasadena, California.” Architectural Forum. November 1946; 85:90-93.

Rose, James C. “Idyll in Electronic Factory.” Interiors. July 1963: 69-72.

Rose, James C. “Integration.” Pencil Points. December 1938; 19:758-760. In this Rose vehemently argues for integration of all design forms and human activities.

Rose, James C. “Landscape Models.” Pencil Points. July 1939, 20: 438-448.
Rose argues for the use of scale models in the design process.

Rose, James C. “Modular Gardens.” Progressive Architecture. September 1947: 76-80. Through plans and drawings, Rose illustrates his concepts for three modular gardens designed for spaces of limited size.

Rose, James C. “Modular Gardens II.” Progressive Architecture. October 1947: 81

Rose, James C. “My Connecticut Home and Gardens Began in Okinawa.” American Home. October 1946; 36: 20-22. Rose explains how the inspiration for his Connecticut house and garden came during his three year military stay in Okinawa. The model he built while stationed there would eventually become the basis for his Ridgewood, New Jersey home-not a Connecticut home, despite the title of the article.

Rose, James C. “1+1=5.” California Arts and Architecture. June/July 1940; 57: 38, 46. Rose translates a metaphor expressed by Joseph Albers into new ways of seeing the landscape as well as new potentials for materials in the landscape. (Photographs of models)

Rose, James C. “Outdoor Theater.” California Arts and Architecture. January 1941; 58: 29. Rose asserts that the design of the theater should allow for the drama to reveal itself as the three-dimensional presentation that it deserves to be. (Photograph of model)

Rose, James C. “Plants Dictate Garden Forms.” Pencil Points. November 1938; 19: 695-697. Reprinted as: Rose, James C. “Plants Dictate Garden Forms.” in Modern Landscape Architecture. ed.- Marc Treib. Cambridge: The MIT Press; 1991. Rose expounds his belief that plants should dictate the form of a design, and should not be applied to a preconceived pattern. Rose also believes that plants are not merely exterior decorations; the beauty of a plant is seen in its use to express space in volumes and its ability to facilitate everyday living. (Photos of models)

Rose, James C. “Plant Forms and Space.” Pencil Points. April 1939, 20: 226- 230. Rose argues that space is defined by materials which create volumes within which humans circulate; and in this volume of space humans perceive an interspatial vista. Rose also states that in order to use plants as a material, the designer must understand plant forms and growth requirements. A chart of plant palette materials is included. (Photos of models)

Rose, James C. “Sculpture In Space, the Revolution in Garden Design.” excerpt from Creative Garden in Flower Grower. May 1958; 45:40-44.

Rose, James C. “The Sensible Landscape.” Landscape. Spring 1961, 10: 227- 230.

Rose, James C. “This Garden Is The Garden For You.” California Arts and Architecture. October 1940; 57: 26. Rose asserts that garden design can combine both decorative and utilitarian needs into one design. (Photograph of model)

Rose, James C. “When A House Is Not A Home.” California Arts and Architecture. March 1941; 58: 27. In this article Rose describes the process of designing an integrated house and garden based on utilitarian needs. (Plan)

Rose, James C. “When Does a Backyard Become a Garden.” Suburbia Today. May 1960: 18- 90.

Rose, James C. “Why Not Try Science.” Pencil Points. December 1939, 20: 777-779. Article reprinted as: Rose, James C. “Why Not Try Science?.” in Modern Landscape Architecture. ed. Marc Treib. Cambridge: The MIT Press; 1991. Rose asserts that science in modern design is not merely the introduction of new materials, but an approach which should affect the economy of producing landscapes for living. (Photos of models)

Rose, James C., Daniel Kiley, and Garrett Eckbo. “Landscape Design in the Primeval Environment.” Architectural Record. February 1940: 74-79. Reprinted in: Treib, Marc, ed. Modern Landscape Architecture. Cambridge: The MIT Press; 1991. The three authors investigate the recreational needs of the primeval environment. (Photos)

Rose, James C., Garrett Eckbo, and Daniel Kiley. “Landscape Design in the Rural Environment.” Architectural Record. August 1939. Reprinted in: Treib, Marc, ed. Modern Landscape Architecture. Cambridge: The MIT Press; 1991. Kiley, Rose and Eckbo discuss the recreational needs of the rural environment. (Photos)

Rose, James C., Daniel Kiley, and Garrett Eckbo. “Landscape Design in the Urban Environment.” Architectural Record. May 1939: 70-76. Reprinted in: Treib, Marc, ed. Modern Landscape Architecture. Cambridge: The MIT Press; 1991. This is an article on the recreational needs of the urban environment.

Publications About Rose

“A Garden Is A Lovely Thing.” San Jose Mercury. June 1958.

“A Think It Out Landscape Book.” Journal & Sentinel. November 1958.

Atkinson, R.E. “Landscaping and Nature.” Los Angeles Times. August 1958.

“Author Describes Gardens as ‘Experiences’, not Units.” Tyler Courier-Times-Telegraph. August 1958.

Barnes, Valerie. “Outside Grows On Inside.” The Evening News. April 1969.

Blount, Roy. “Point of View: Mr. and Mrs. Bjorn Borg’s Residence.” Architectural Digest, August 1984; 41: 54-58. This article is a discussion of tennis star Bjorn Borg; the photograph in the article shows the house designed by Norman Jaffe and garden designed by Rose; however Rose is not mentioned.

“Books: Creative Gardens.” Free Lance Hacienda. 1958.

Bye, A.E. “Dangerous Ground for the Uninformed.” Landscape Architecture. October 1968: 51,55. This article reviews Rose’s book Modern American Gardens.

Caddick, Jack W. “Here’s a Book on Creative Gardens.” Providence Sunday Journal. June 1958.

Cardasis, Dean. “A Rare James Rose Landscape is Rehabilitated.” Cultural Landscape Foundation. September 24, 2018.

Cardasis, Dean. “Preserving the Home and Landscape Legacy of James Rose.” Preserving the Recent Past, March 30-April 1. National Park Service.

Cardasis, Dean. “Maverick Impossible-James Rose and the Modern American Garden.” in Masters of American Garden Design III: Proceedings of the Garden Conservancy Symposium in New York, New York, March 12, 1993, by the Garden Conservancy. New York: Garden Conservancy; 31-41. Cardasis discusses Rose’s role as a pioneer of modern landscape architecture in the context of modern art and architecture.

Cardasis, Dean. “Rose, James C.” in Pioneers of American Landscape Design II: An Annotated Bibliography, National Park Service, 1995; 127-132.

“A Contemporary American House: The Spatial Discipline.” Progressive Architecture. December 1954: 108-119. This is essentially a photo essay comparing the James Rose residence in Ridgewood, New Jersey with a Japanese house built in the garden of the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

“Creative Gardens.” Skylines. June 1958.

“Creative Gardens Explored.” Arizona Republic. July 1958: 17.

Cox, Bunnie. “”Creative Gardens” by James C. Rose Gives New Concepts In Everyday Life.” Athens Banner-Herald. July 1958.

“Equipement de I’habitation.” 1950’s: 58-60.

Febure-Desportes, M.A. “L’Intimité d’Une Cour Interienne. Le Maison Francoise. October 1965; 191: 164-169.

Fellows, Douglas M. “Gardening Guide.” Hartford Courent.

Fisher, Arthur. “A Garden Is An Experience.” Architectural Record. October 1958: 63, 382.

Fitch, James and F.F. Rockwell. Treasury of American Gardens. New York: Harper and Brothers, 1956. The book surveys old and modern gardens; Rose’s Ridgewood, New Jersey garden is discussed.

Flagg, May Del. “Book on Cuban Gardens Interest Gulf Coast Readers.” November 1958.

Frati, Lura L. “What is a Garden? It’s an Experience.” Petaluma Argus Courier. September 1958.

“Garden and Inside of House Merge Interests.” June 1958.

“Garden Becoming Need With Home.” Sunday News & Leader. July 1958.

“Gardens by an American.” Guide to Vacation & Leisure Homes. March 1968.

“Garden Likened to Sculpture.” Worecester Sunday Telegram. June 1958.

Gillies, Mary Davis. “A Paved Yard Is More Fun.” McCalls Magazine. 1940-1950: 48-52.

Gillies, Mary Davis. “Built in 1946 Expanded in 1955.” McCalls Magazine. 1955: 116.

Gillies, Mary Davis. “It Can Grow with the Family.” McCalls Magazine. 1946: 76-77.

Grese, Robert. Review of Rose’s Gardens Make Me Laugh. Journal of Garden History. January/June 1993: 121-122. Grese reviews Rose’s book Gardens Make Me Laugh.

“House in California.” Architectural Forum. November 1946: 90-93.

“How To Build An Extra Room In Your Own Backyard.” 1940-1950: 58-59,63.

Hubbard, H.V. and T.H. Kimball. Introduction Into the Study of Landscape Architecture. Boston: Cuneo Press, 1917. A basic landscape architectural text, this explains design ideas against which moderns like Rose rebelled.

Jaffe, Norman. “A Propos d’Une Exposition.” Techniques et Architecture. May 1980; 330:131.

Jaffe, Norman. “Zuretsky Residence.” Architecture and Urbanism. December 1978; 11:75-80.

“Jardin d’une habitation a Seattle.” 1950s: 58-59.

“James C. Rose Flies to World Design Parley.” May 1960.

Jones, Bea. “Creative Gardens Offers New Design Concept.” December 1958.

Kellogg, Byrd Weller.   “Creative Gardens Defined by Words and Drawings.” Press Democrat. June 1958.

Kondonellis, Evanthia. “The Fine Art of Landscaping.” American Home. October 1966; LXIX: 82-84. This brief article compares Rose’s garden with the Japanese style of garden design.

“Le Fort et l’Ouvert.” Connoissance des Arts. July/August 1982; 365-366: 46-49.

Lowry, Cynthia. “Outdoor Living.” El Paso Times. August 1958.

Mason. “How Does Your Garden Grow?” Jacksonville Journal. July 1958.

Miller Jr., Fred. “Modern Gardens Designed by James Rose.” Northwest Architect. April 1968.

“Modern American Gardens.” Enterprise. March 1968.

Muzio, Norberto. “Creative Gardens.” 56.

“Nature as Pivot.” Progressive Architecture. May 1962: 157-161. The author critiques a house in Tenefly, New Jersey designed by Norval White and a garden designed by James Rose.

“Nature Helps Decorate Outdoor Living.” New York Times. August 1957.

Neely, Algine. “For the Gardener on your List.” Winston-Salem Journal. November 1958.

“New Garden Books Cover Wide Range Interesting Subjects.” Indianapolis Star. July 1958

“New House: New Way of Living.” McCalls Magazine. February 1957: 131-140.

Ogden Davis, Claire. “Lecturer Writes Garden Book.” Austin-American. June 1958.

“Paved Gardens Are Easy to Tend.” House & Garden. May 1949: 152-156.

Petree, Nellie. “The Bookshelf.” July 1958.

“Plants, Pools, Gardens Discussed in New Book.” July 1958.

Pratt, Richard. “A Garden is an Open Air Room.” Ladies Home Journal. 1940’s.

Pratt, Richard. “Reflecting Garden.” Ladies Home Journal. September 1948.

“Post War Dream Takes Form.” The Ridgewood Herald-News. February 1945.

Quinlan, Lula Egan. “Garden Books.” Tulsa Sunday World Magazine. June 1958: 16.

Reid, Margaret W.. “The Fusion of House and Garden.” Wichita Falls Times. June 1958.

“Rose’s Gardens.” Arch Forum. August 1958.

Rutz, Trudy. “Some Original Thinking on Creative Gardens.” San Francisco News. June 1958.

Sawyer, Kenneth B. “The Garden That Became an Art Gallery.” Sunday Sun. November 1958: 15-17.

“Suburban House.” Progressive Architecture. May 1960; 45: 162-167. This is a discussion of Baltimore, Maryland house and garden designed by Rose; with critiques by Rose, Karl Linn, and Lawrence Halprin. (Photos)

“Tailored Garden is Living-Dining Area.” The Houston Post. June 1958.

“The-Scratch Pad: Creative Gardens.” June 1958.

Thompson, J. William. “Never a Rose Garden.” Landscape Architecture. January 1997: 60-69,81-83.

Thrams, Brent Christian. “Communicating Nonverbal Messages.” Landscape Architecture. September/ October 1988: 36,38,41. In this article Thrams reviews Rose’s book, The Heavenly Environment.

Treib, Marc. “Axioms for a Modern Landscape Architecture.” Modern Landscape Architecture. ed. Marc Treib. Cambridge: The MIT Press; 1991. This book on the development of the modernist movement in landscape architecture credits Rose’s early works as major influences on the movement.

Van Tress, Robert W. “New Book on Planning a Garden.” Chicago Daily News. November 1958.

Van Valkenburgh, Michael, ed. Built Landscapes in the Northeast. Vermont: Brattleboro Art Museum and Art Center, 1984. Publication based upon a traveling exhibition siting gardens by Beatrix Farrand, A.E. Bye, Fletcher Steele, Dan Kiley and James Rose.

Vogel, Carol. “Architecture: Norman Jaffe.” Architectural Digest. May 1982; 39: 124-129. This is an article about a house designed by Jaffe with photos of that contain images of a garden designed by Rose. Rose is not mentioned as the landscape architect. (Photos)

Wood, Denis. “Rose, James.” Oxford Companion to Gardens. A brief biographical entry on Rose’s life and work characterizing Rose as “…one of the twentieth century’s most influential yet enigmatic American garden designers.” (Photo)

Wood, Denis. “Creative Gardens and Modern American Gardens.” Landscape Architecture. May/June 1984: 35-36. This article reviews two books by Rose, Creative Gardens and Modern American Gardens. (Photo)

“Writer Philosophizes on Gardens.” August 1958.

Zucker, Isabel. “Books on Creative Gardens.” The Detroit Times. August 1958: 22.

“Zuretsky House.” Process Architecture. 1978:104-107, 204, 210