The Enduring Allure of the Rose:
The beauty of the Rose (Rosa) has been enjoyed for millennia. Their intoxicating fragrance, velvety petals and immense diversity have captivated hearts across the entire globe. These flowers have a long history with humans, with over 150 different species and thousands of varieties, these versatile blossoms have a place in every garden and arrangement. This week we celebrate the Flower of the Month: The Rose!
A Journey Through Time: The Rose's Storied Past
Fossil records show that roses existed in North America as far back as 35 million years ago! Cultivation, however, began much more recent in ancient China, Persia and Greece about 5,000 years ago.
Ancient Chinese people were likely to have been the first to use roses for more than just their beauty. Rosewater, rose perfume oils, rose tinctures and even rose confetti are believed to have stemmed from the region.
Persia and the Middle East extensively cultivated roses for the garden and beyond, highlighted by the art and literature, giving the rose its symbol of Divine Beauty. Cleopatra famously carpeted her floors with rose petals to welcome Marc Antony.
It wasn't until the 18th and 19th Centuries when the discovery of new rose species in the East gave rise to the new hybrids and vast varieties we see today.
So Many Roses, So Little Time:
Roses in the garden range greatly and include Shrub Roses for borders and hedges, Climbing Roses for trellises and fences, Hybrid Tea Roses for cutting, Floribunda Roses for clusters and continuous blooms, Grandiflora Roses for large blooming clusters, Groundcover Roses for spreading and filling space, and Miniature Roses for containers and boxes.
Roses in the flower shop are great for any occasion and its no wonder they are the top-selling flower worldwide. With their many different colors, roses can be used for Romantic Gestures, Celebrations, Sympathy and Remembrance, Weddings and Everyday Beautification.
The Language of Roses:
Red Roses: The quintessential symbol of deep love, passion and romance. Pink Roses: Represent admiration, gratitude, joy, gentleness, sweetness, innocence and appreciation. White Roses: Traditionally associated with purity, innocence, new beginnings and remembrance. Yellow Roses: Historically linked to jealousy, but more recently show friendship, joy and warmth. Orange Roses: Express enthusiasm, desire, fascination, often bridging the gap between friendship and love. Lavender Roses: Signify enchantment, love at first sight, and a sense of wonder. Black Roses (deep red/purple): Convey mystery, rebirth, or farewell.
Did You Know?
Roses got their start as a humble five petaled whorl.
Roses naturally come in almost all the colors of the rainbow except for one, Blue.
The Tallest Rose Bush ever recorded was 56 feet high in California
The Longest Stemmed Rose ever grown was just over 24 feet long.
Rose Oil is precious and one of the most expensive essential oils in the world, taking tens of thousands of rose blossoms to produce just one ounce of rose oil.
The Rose is the National Flower of the United States, England, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Iraq, Maldives, Morocco and Slovakia!
We hope you enjoyed getting to know the most popular girl in class this week, the next time you walk past a garden, don't forget to stop and smell the roses. Have a Rosy Day!