Ten Unbelievable Facts about Roses
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The rose, scientifically known as Rosa, is frequently regarded as the queen of flowers due to its rich history, diverse varieties, and cultural significance. With over 300 species and thousands of cultivars, roses are one of the most popular flowers worldwide, accounting for approximately 30% of the global cut flower market.
Roses also play a significant role in cultural traditions and celebrations. They are commonly used in weddings, anniversaries, and other significant life events. According to a survey conducted by the Society of American Florists, roses are the most popular flower for Valentine's Day, with approximately 250 million roses sold each year in the United States alone.
Here are ten fascinating facts about roses that you may not have known.
1. Roses are possibly one of the oldest flowers
According to the Guinness Book of World Records, roses are the oldest species of plant to be grown as decoration. The rose (genus Rosa, family Rosaceae) is the oldest species of plant cultivated and used for decorative purposes. Documents dated to CE 50 suggest that ancient Romans grew the flowers in vast plantations and local hothouses to ensure a year-round supply of medicinal extracts, cooking ingredients and ornamentation. Ancient Romans used roses to decorate buildings, furniture and people, whilst petals were laid to create rose carpets and walkways.
There is evidence dating back 5,000 years when the Chinese and Japanese created rose gardens. In ancient Greece as well, Theophrastus (382-287 BC) wrote about the cultivation of roses.
2. Roses can live for a very long time
Even more shocking, the oldest living rose is 1,000 years old. It grows on the wall of the Cathedral of Hildesheim in Germany and its presence is documented since A.D. 815. According to the legend, the rosebush symbolizes the prosperity of the city of Hildesheim; as long as it flourishes, Hildesheim will not decline. In 1945 allied bombers destroyed the cathedral, yet the bush survived. Its roots remained intact beneath the debris, and soon the bush was growing strong again.
By bph - Bischöfliche Pressestelle Hildesheim (bph), Attribution, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6284854
3. All varieties of roses are edible
Not only do they look beautiful climbing up a trellis or over an arch, but they can also be used in the kitchen. Rose petals are often added to jellies and used as a flavouring in Chinese and Indian cuisine. Your favourite tea or cocktail might even be infused with rose hips, a berry shaped fruit grown from roses which are packed with Vitamin C.
Keep in mind, if you are using roses as food, that they should be chemical-free. Don’t use roses that have been sprayed with pesticide or any other chemicals, also don’t use cut roses from s flower shop or supermarket because they have been grown with many chemicals. Growing your own roses is the best way to ensure that you have good roses for your medicine cabinet, table, or any other use.
4. The national flower for both England and the United States of America is a rose
The Tudor Rose refers to England’s emblem of peace at the end of the War of the Roses, the civil war between the royal house of Lancashire, which wore a red rose, and the royal house of York, which wore a white rose.
On November 20, 1986, President Ronald Reagan officially made the rose the national flower emblem of the United States. He did this while standing in the famous White House Rose Garden.
Various varieties of roses are also the state flower of Georgia, Iowa, New York, North Dakota, and Washington, D.C.
George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, are connected to roses, both directly and indirectly. George Washington was the first rose breeder in the United States, and he even named a variety after his mother, Mary Washington.
General Washington served two terms as President, from 1789-1797, and then returned to his plantation, Mount Vernon, to finally become the horticulturist he had always wanted to be. Back in Virginia, he polished his home, built a gorgeous greenhouse, and oversaw planting food and other crops. Washington had an affinity for planting what he called ‘Pleasure Gardens.’ These had flowers of every colour and roses that were available at the time. He planted native roses, Old Blush, Eglantine, and Damask roses. At the time, the petals and hips were used for food, plate garnishes, and prized rosewater. According to President Reagan’s proclamation, George hybridized a rose and named it after his mother, the ‘Mary Washington’ rose, a noisette which is still available today.
In 1865, the Moreau-Robert Nursery of Angers, France, introduced a new rose in honor of the fallen American president. They called it ”Souvenir du President Lincoln”, surprisingly it is still grown and available. It is very full, quartered bloom with an amazing fragrance. It gets huge, arching canes and sprays blossoms all over like a giant magenta fountain. It is a very hardy rose, repeats well all season long, and is a lasting tribute to Honest Abe.
And then, there is the widely-available rose hybridized by Swim and Weeks known as ‘‘Mister Lincoln”. It is a tall hybrid tea with long stems and a big bloom. The flowers are a deep, patriotic red and have so much fragrance that one can smell them from across the garden.
5. Each rose colour has a different meaning
Everyone knows that roses have long been a symbol of love, but the colour choice also plays a role in what a rose symbolises. Also it is important to emphasise that meanings can vary in different cultures.
The following rose colours in the western world are commonly associated with the following meanings:
Red roses – love and passion
White roses - innocence and spirituality
Yellow roses – warmth, friendship, and joy
Pink roses – grace, elegance, and sweetness
Orange roses – energy, and intensity
Blue roses – secrets, mystery, and uniqueness
Lavender roses – wonder, and enchantment
Black roses – change, and courage
The Truth is that there is no such thing as ‘black’ roses. What might sometimes be referred to as a black rose is actually a dark red rose. A good example is “The Black Rose of Turkey”, is a breed that appears pitch-black to the eye, but in actuality it is a dark reddish-crimson colour.
True-blue pigments as well, don’t occur naturally in Roses. There are lots of good purples among the old roses and hundreds of excellent mauves and lilacs were introduced in the 1950s and 1960s.
6. The tallest rose bush stands at 5.6 meters high
Records show that the tallest rose bush stands at 5.6 meters high, that’s 18.8 feet! This was achieved by Christopher Rose in the USA on the 8th of November 2017.
7. There are many different rose varieties
There are around 150 species of roses across the world, with thousands of hybrids too! Cherries, apples, peaches, plums, pears, apricots, and almonds are all relatives of the rose family.
8. David Austin developed the most expensive rose - the Juliet Rose
It took 15 years and cost £2.3 million. It was first displayed in 2006 at Chelsea Flower Show. This iconic rose has a distinctive full cup with beautiful petals, whilst its colour resembles an apricot.
9. Their fragrance is used to make perfumes.
We all know the saying: Stop and smell the roses. Well, roses weren’t chosen for this phrase by chance; their lovely aroma is a popular floral scent and is even used in many perfumes.
Specifically, rose oil has been an important ingredient in the perfume industry for centuries. The process of extracting rose oil from flowers requires a huge amount of roses; just one gram of oil is produced from two thousand roses. The Rose Valley in Bulgaria produces 85% of the world’s rose oil.
The rose scent is one of the flower’s most treasured characteristics. Greeks and Romans made perfume from roses, and to this day, their scent is an important element in many of the world’s best and most successful perfume blends. Centifolia and damask roses are the most common choices used to make perfume. The rose scent comes from microscopic perfume glands on the petals. The petals are gathered at night as they are at their most fragrant just before sunrise. The essential oils are extracted and used to mix other ingredients in order to make perfume.
Rosewater is a by-product of the process that makes rose oil. Rosewater is used in perfumes and also in cosmetics, as a flavouring, and in medicines. It is also used in Middle Eastern cuisine, also referred to as ‘rose syrup’, the French use it as a flavouring. The rose-flavoured liquid is added to desserts, meringue, marshmallows, and drinks for a distinctive taste.
10. 54% of the land in Ecuador is filled with Roses
Ecuador is one of the world’s largest suppliers of roses, with an astonishing 54% of the land filled with roses. There is natural light all year round providing the perfect climate for flowers to thrive with longer growing cycles.
In conclusion, the rose's status as the queen of flowers is well-deserved, given its historical significance, diverse applications, and cultural relevance. So whether you're searching for a thoughtful gift for a loved one, seeking the ideal present, or simply wanting to add a touch of beauty to your life, "Her Majesty" is always a fantastic choice!