Throughout History, Roses Have Been Considered a Symbol of Love and Beauty

Roses

Throughout history, roses have been considered a symbol of love and beauty. Did you know they have also been a symbol of war and death? In the following pages you will learn the story of the rose as well as how to select and care for these beautiful flowers.

History

Fossil evidence shows that there were roses on earth more than 35 million years ago. Roses are believed to have grown wild throughout most of the world. The earliest roses were all red, or shades of red. In fact, the genus name, Rosa, means red in Latin.The first cultivation probably began 5,000 years ago in China. Human beings have been captivated by the flower ever since. They have worked hard to nurture and develop these wondrous blooms so that now there are hundreds of types, varieties, and hybrids.

The Rose in Use

Although primarily used as ornamental decorations in gardens, homes, and at events such as weddings, roses have had other uses throughout history. Romans used rose petals as the original confetti at celebrations. Cleopatra is said to have blanketed rooms with rose petals and filled fountains with rose water. In fact, Egyptian mummies have been found adorned with roses.

Throughout history, roses have been used as perfume and as medicine. Perhaps the most unusual use for roses was as currency. In the seventeenth century, roses were in such high demand that the flowers, the petals, and even rose water were considered legal tender!

The Rose as Symbol

Shakespeare was not the first or the last to use the rose as a symbol of love and beauty. Roses have provided inspiration for writers, poets, artists, and musicians throughout the ages. During the fifteenth century, two royal families waged a lengthy war to gain control of England. Each family, or house, selected a different color rose as its symbol. The white rose represented the house of York, while the red rose represented the house of Lancaster. The conflict has gone down in history as the “Wars of the Roses.”

Selecting Roses

While some roses have a reputation as being difficult to grow or care for, many variations exist that are resistant to disease, offer beautiful blooms and fragrances, and blend easily into suburban landscapes. With a little thought and preparation, anyone can select and grow magnificent roses.

Types of Roses

Your first trip to a garden shop in search of roses may prove to be overwhelming. The number and variety of rose plants are amazing. There are creepers, climbers, shrubs, and miniatures. There are colors ranging from white to salmon to yellow to crimson. There are four basic groups of roses, although there are some that do not fall into any particular category. You may find it helpful to learn about the basic types of roses before you start shopping.

Species Roses / These are uncultivated varieties. They are usually hardy and disease resistant. They come in a wide variety of types and colors.
OldEuropeanGarden Roses / These are the oldest group of cultivated roses. They are hybrid groups common in European gardens prior to the eighteenthcentury. They usually have a strong fragrance and can withstand cold winters, but are susceptible to heat, drought, and disease.
Hardy Repeat-Blooming Old Roses / These plants are similar to the Old European Garden Roses but they will bloom more than once each season.
Modern Roses / These include the varieties developed after the eighteenthcentury.
Miniature Roses / Small plants that are extremely useful for small gardens and container planting.
Shrub Roses / Plants that are noted for their rounded shape, winter hardiness, and disease resistance. Shrub roses tend to be free-flowering, which means they provide blooms all season long, and are suitable for using as hedges and in border gardens.

Judging Rose Quality

The quality of rose plants varies depending on the vendor. Ask for references before purchasing to make sure that other customers have been satisfied with the plants. You can order plants by mail or on-line, but unless you are completely certain that you are dealing with a reputable vendor, you may prefer purchasing plants locally, so you can see them before you buy, and so that you can return them if necessary.

Grafted Roses

Grafted roses are rated based on an American Nursery Standards grading system.

Grade 1 / Plants have at least three canes that are about ¾ of an inch in diameter and have no more than four inches between the graft union and the top of the roots. They also have a large well-developed root system. They must be two years old when harvested for sale.
Grade 1½ / Plants have two strong canes and should quickly catch up to Grade 1 plants in size and quality.
Grade 2 / Plants are of inferior quality. They have very small canes and are usually sold as bargain roses.

Bare-Root and Potted Roses

Bare-root—dormant plants sold with no soil around the roots—and potted plants have no official standard of grading. You must judge the quality by sight. Bare-root plants should have canes that are plump and green, with smooth bark. They should feel heavy, because a light plant is likely to be dried out and brittle.

Potted plants generally have an extensive root system, although if they are called containerized, they may simply be bare-root plants that the garden center has potted. If so, they may be young and have an immature root system.

Diseases and Insects

Roses have earned the reputation as difficult to grow. They are prone to fungi, viruses, and bacteria, and attract pests of all kinds. Some common diseases include blackspot, powdery mildew, stem cankers, botrytis blight, mosaic, and crown gall. Common pests include aphids, Japanese beetles, leaf cutter bees, spider mites, and thrips.

A healthy plant is more likely to resist disease and pests, so make sure you select the proper site for your rose garden, including the correct amount of sun and shade and the proper soil and drainage. In addition, you may need to follow a pesticide and fungicide regimen.