Rose

How beautiful, fragrant, and inspiring it hides in just one word: rose!

For thousands of years, roses from nature and gardens have moved into stories and myths, become a motif of works of art, inspiration for poets, botanists, rulers… The oldest painted trace of a rose is a fresco from 1700 BC in the palace of King Minos in Crete, and interesting is also the invention of the English archaeologist William Flinders Petrie in the pyramid at Hawara: a wreath of roses woven around 180, still in excellent condition. In the famous War of the Roses (1455–1485), fought between two English noble houses for the English throne, the House of Lancaster had a red rose (Rosa gallica Officinalis) in its coat of arms, and the House of York had a white rose (Rosa alba semi-plena). ). After the end of the conflict, the united red and white roses found their place on the coat of arms of the United Kingdom.

All this clearly speaks of the importance of roses. In the West, the rose is valued like a lotus in the East and is in a lasting and strong relationship with a Western man like perhaps no other flower.

The rose belongs to the genus Rosa from the family Rosaceae, which includes almost all fruit species of the temperate zone of the northern hemisphere: apple, pear, plum, cherry, cherry, almond, apricot, raspberry, blackberry, and others. The genus Rosa numbers about 140 different species with about 13,000 recognized cultivated subspecies of roses. The largest number of species originates from Central Asia, and a smaller number from Europe, North America, and Northwest Africa.

It is assumed that the earliest European garden roses, from Roman times, Rosa gallica officinalis, was also called the Apothecary Rose due to its use in pharmacy, and Rosa alba. The Crusaders brought other species from their expeditions, the most famous of which is the Damascus Rose, named after the Syrian city of Damascus where it has been known since ancient times.

It is not known from which wild species the first rose originated, so this gap is filled by myths and legends. One of the legends says that before it became an earth flower, the rose grew in the gardens of paradise, without thorns. After the first humans were expelled from paradise, the rose was given thorns to remind people of their sin, while its beauty and scent remained as a memorial to the lost paradise. Per Aspera ad Astra (Across the thorns to the stars) became the motto of man's earthly journey.

Rose oil is a secret and precious ingredient that embodies its true nature. Distillation of rose petals with water vapor gives 0.025% of essential oil, which means that for 1 kg of oil you need 4 tons of rose petals. The petals of blooming roses are collected only early in the morning and must be subjected to distillation within 24 hours - that is why rose essential oil is very valuable and is often counterfeited. It is recorded that between 810 and 817, the province of Pakistan paid an annual tax of 30,000 bottles of rose water (which at the time was more prized than essential oil) to the state treasury in Baghdad. At that time, Pakistan exported rose water to China, India, Yemen, Egypt, and Spain.

Rose essential oil is a perfect sedative and tonic for various ailments (lowers blood pressure and regulates heart function), is beneficial for the liver, which was also mentioned by Chinese medics, and is also useful in the treatment of lung diseases. Real rose essential oil is said to be "the safest of all remedies."

Greek mythology links the origin of the rose to the goddess of love and beauty Aphrodite, but there is also a mythical story according to which it was created by Chloris, the goddess of flowers. Chloris (Roman Flora) one day passing through the woods found the lifeless body of a beautiful nymph. She called on Aphrodite for help, to give her new life and beauty, the god Dionysus, to give her nectar a sweet fragrance with new nectar, and the three Graces, who gave her charm, serenity, and grace. The god of wind Zephyr blew out the dark clouds to illuminate Apollo with the sun's nymph and allow it, now revived like a flower, to blossom. And so the rose was born…

Olympus digital cameras Roses were simultaneously dedicated to Aphrodite and Athena - love and wisdom. The myth says that the rose was originally a white flower, but when Aphrodite's favorite Adonis was mortally wounded, the goddess ran to his aid, injuring herself with a thorn. Her divine blood stained the roses which were afterward dedicated to her.

The rose is often mentioned in ancient records. The Greek poet Anacreon composed in the 5th century. BC they go to the glory of the rose and its beauty, its magical scent, the power with which it heals, and the meaning in the world of the gods. Sappho called her the queen of flowers: If Zeus wanted to place a queen over flowers, that crown would belong to a rose… Herodotus writes about the gardens of the Phrygian king Midas… where roses grow on their own, each bearing sixty flowers and smelling remarkably especially beautiful roses were grown in silver pots in the gardens of Adonis - because of the scent that was believed to disperse diseases, but also for the purpose of making flower wreaths that magnified various festivals. He also gave a botanical description of the roses that grew in Egypt and Greece. In the East, however, Confucius describes the beauty of the rose grown in the imperial gardens.

In Rome, the rose was a favorite flower of both humans and gods. The military leaders adorned themselves with roses, and its petals embellished numerous festivals and feasts. The rose flower was dedicated to the goddess Venus as a symbol of beauty, Cupid as a pledge of love, Aurora, the goddess of dawn, for its beauty in the early morning hours, and Harpocrates, the god of silence, making it a symbol of secrecy. A rose placed on a table or a wreath of roses hung at the entrance to the room warned those present that for everything said at that table or in that room, an oath of silence was required, for which the term sub rosa ("under the rose") was used.

After the fall of the Roman Empire, the guardians of ancient knowledge became Christian monks. The new worldview did not approve the cultivation of roses for secular purposes, however, they were grown in the monastery gardens with medicinal herbs, in specially fenced beds, the so-called. rosaries. The rose enjoyed a special place in the convent gardens because it was dedicated to the Virgin Mary called La Rosa Mystica or the Mystical Rose of Redemption, which symbolizes life itself - love and wisdom, beauty and purity, pain and death. In Christianity, the symbolism of the rose is equated with the symbolism of the heart, and it represents a vessel containing blood - the carrier of life (Holy Grail). Mary's feasts are celebrated in May, the month of roses, and there was an old custom of placing a crown of thorny branches of a white rose in the graves of nuns, signifying the innocence and purity preserved by the nuns through various temptations.

The rose is an unavoidable motif in Sufism as well. A story from this tradition says that the red rose originated as the fruit of the love of the nightingale and the white rose. This little bird embraced the rose in the heart of love and injured herself on its sharp thorn. With his blood, the unfortunate nightingale soaked the white petals of the rose and gave it the color of his heart. The rose garden in Sufism symbolizes the garden of contemplation, and the rose has a deeply mystical meaning. Persian poet-mystic Saadi Shirazi in his work The Rose Garden writes: I went to the garden to pick roses, but the smell of rose bushes intoxicated me… The path of practical mysticism which in the XII. century founded by Abdelkader Gilani was called Sybil-el-Ward ("Path of the Rose"), and Gilani himself was called the Rose of Light. Sufi poets used the rose symbol to express a mystical longing for God; to them, the rose was a symbol of hidden knowledge and wisdom and the attainment of perfect oneness with God.

Alchemists called the rose flos sapientiae, the flower of wisdom, and their treatises roses of sages. Most of these roses have 7 petals, and each evoked one metal or one action of alchemical work. The Red King and the White Queen are often present in the alchemical secret language. Their union is expressed by the symbol of the rose. The rose is also found in the tarot card depicting Death, where the rose is a symbol of the eternal renewal of the phenomenal world.

As a symbol of the secret, the rose is next to the cross the main symbol of secret societies, especially the Order of the Rose and the Cross, the Rosicrucians, for whom the cross symbolizes the human body, and the rose the individual development of consciousness. For Angelus Silesius, a German mystic and poet from the XVII. century, the rose is an image of the soul.

The spread of rose cultivation in France in the early XIX. century, and then throughout Europe, can be thanked Empress Josephine, Napoleon's wife, who next to the castle Malmaison had planted all the then known species of roses. In 1805, the French artist Pierre Joseph Redoute was commissioned by the Empress to paint every rose growing in Malmaison. Out of one hundred and seventy portraits of roses, three volumes of Les Roses were created, and reproductions of these paintings are still very popular.

The rose has been our beautiful companion through centuries and centuries of history. With the fall of the Roman Empire, lavish and fragrant roses withdrew from secular life to the closed monastery gardens where they were nurtured for a symbolic connection with the Virgin Mary. In time, the rose also found its place in the court gardens, the meeting places of knights and ladies; it was then woven into troubadour poetry and became a notion of sublime feelings. As the modern age approaches, the rose is increasingly becoming a symbol of earthly love and beauty, but it remains the most famous and most appreciated flower that always delights on all occasions…

Stem roses (columnar roses)

Among the greatest connoisseurs of this flower, small trees are considered princesses among roses. Their refined appearance, together with the incredible decorativeness, causes delight in almost all people!

Rosa rugosa (Rosa rugosa Rubeus) consists of different types of roses, each of which has a special role in achieving its magical appearance. The first type is a rose that gives a root to a tree, then the second type is crossed (grafted) on it, which gives this rose a tree. In this way, the tree got a long and beautiful look. And finally, in the end, the third type of rose appears, which has the role of providing a crown to the stem, that is, the flower that contributes the most to the visual experience.

When we talk about the tree of these roses, it is necessary to know what are the most ideal heights for grafting. Experts point out that they can be from 40, 60, 90, 110 to 140 cm.

We have already mentioned that small trees have a valuable decorative feature. These roses will look amazing in combination with conifers, bats, dwarf roses, but also independently in the form of magnificent tree lines. On the other hand, if you decide to enrich your terrace with this rose magic, know that planting in pots is also suitable for this flower.

The primary division of these roses is into:

• Descending and

• Spherical or upright forms

What is also of great importance is to know that any variety of rose can be grafted to any of the mentioned heights.

Creeping roses (climbing roses)

Creeping roses, also known as Climber Rose (Latin name), can certainly provide refreshment in your garden! In addition to their inevitable decorative properties, they also have incredible power for camouflaging inconspicuous surfaces. For example, if your garden is spoiled by untidy walls, know that these roses can mask their beauty and absolutely remove the inappropriate look. Also, creeping roses are most suitable for forming flower fences and pergolas, but they can also be planted individually.

These attractive roses have beautiful flowers and are very strong growth. They bloom throughout the season, ie from spring until the first frosts.

They are planted in autumn, at a distance of 1 to 2 m, and due to their powerful growth, they can reach a height of up to 4 m, and depending on the variety, they can reach even more.

If you decide to plant creeping roses, it is important to know what to look for when choosing a place:

• To avoid water retention in the root of this rose, choose permeable and sandy soil. This means that the soil must have good drainage.

• Avoid clay soil!

• All types of roses, even these, like a position where there are enough heat and sunlight. Certainly, they should not be exposed to the sun for the whole day, because that can significantly damage them.

• These roses should never be exposed to strong winds, so carefully choose a position where there is a "normal" airflow

Another advantage of climbing roses is that they are also suitable for planting in decorative pots. In order to grow properly, it is necessary for the pot to be 40 cm deep and to have a hole. A hole in the pot is necessary for water drainage and thus will additionally help your plant to develop.

We distinguish two types of creeping roses:

• Real climbing roses, which were created by crossing "Rosa multiflora", "Rosa wichauriana" and some other natural climbers. This species is divided into perennials, which bloom throughout the season, and May roses, which bloom once a season, ie from the end of May to the end of June.

• The second type of climber is formed by a mutation of floribunda or tea-hybrid roses.

What is interesting about climbing roses is that they are most often found as an independent. Many believe that their beauty lies in the fact that they achieve an effective and graceful look on their own. Of course, a little creativity and imagination are never out of the question, so allow yourself to experiment in combinations with these roses. Garden construction experts point out that creeping roses go best with clematis.

Dwarf roses

Dwarf roses, known in Latin as Patio, have an elegant and delicate appearance. What characterizes them is their growth, which is not more than half a meter and usually reaches a height of up to 35 cm. That makes them the lowest roses, but that doesn't mean that they can't beautify everyone's garden with their uniqueness!

The small flowers and leaves of this rose can give your garden an irresistible charm. They bring with them a rich history and symbolism, so it is no wonder that these dwarf or slang-famous mini roses were planted in the gardens of lavish castles. Great historical leaders especially preferred this miniature version of roses, because they gave their gardens elegance and a neat appearance.

They are popular precisely because they do not require excessive treatment and care.

The care of these roses is very simple and you can easily grow and nurture it in your garden. As is the case with all the mentioned roses so far, dwarf roses are mostly garden flowers, but today, they are increasingly planted in pots and gendarmes. Of course, if you decide to beautify your home with these mini roses, you must provide them with enough light for at least five hours during the day. Also, these plants like moisture, so it is necessary to water them regularly, but not too much! With these herbs, you have to have a measure in everything, especially with watering. Too much moisture in this plant is the main cause of the disease!

Although this type of rose is generally easy to maintain and grow, due to excessive moisture it is prone to:

• Fungus

• Black spots

• Shield or fox lice

To beat these diseases, we recommend that you use:

• Fungicides (against freckles and rust) and

• Insecticides (against thyroid and lice)

You can read more about the maintenance and care of these little beauties in our post Dwarf or Fairy Roses.

Tea roses

Tea roses, also known as sleepwalkers in our country, are considered to be one of the noblest types of roses. They are characterized by their interesting journey to the stars. The origin of water from Europe and roses are known as Rosa Chenin is oborata. What is interesting about these noblest roses is that they primarily had the name "tea roses" because of their specific scent, which is reminiscent of Chinese tea. They experienced their crown in the middle of the 19th century, becoming the most modern roses. Even today, they have kept the epithet of pets and are most often planted all over the world!

Depending on the place of planting, climate, and variety, these roses can grow up to 1 m, but most often they grow between 60 and 80 cm. These roses are most often used to obtain cut flowers, which certainly does not mean that they are not suitable for growing in all types of gardens. They have luxuriant leaves, a large and rich flower with over 25 petals, and a very pleasant and recognizable scent. Also, these roses are characterized by a large number of vivid colors that certainly beautify any space. They can be white, bright yellow to bright red.

What is important to know if you decide to plant these roses is that:

• You can plant these roses in groups, individually or even in combination with other plants

• The required distance when planting these roses is from 40 to 45 cm

• It is most ideal to plant from 5 to 6 pieces per square meter

Polyana roses (multi-flowered)

Polyana roses are very often referred to as bouquets and multi-flowered roses. Their flowers are formed in bouquets, and their great advantage is that they quickly renew their flowers. Polyana roses have double, medium-sized flowers and bloom profusely throughout the season. These charming roses can reach a height of 50 to 90 cm.

They are very suitable for planting along paths, along streets, in parks, but also very often as flower fences. In order for their beauty to evoke a visual impression, these roses should be planted en masse and in one color. As for planting, it is usually recommended to plant at a distance of 30 to 40 cm, or 6 to 8 roses per square meter.

Wild roses

Wild rose or in Latin Rosa canina L, has an interesting and rich etymology. Namely, the name of the species canine comes from the Latin word canis which means dog. There was a belief among the Romans that the wild rose cured rabies, which caused this word to become an integral part of the name of this rose. In our country, it is also called a dog rose, which evidently confirms this etymology.

Rosa canina L is a perennial shrub (shrub) from the rose family. It has a tree that is branched and surrounded by thorny branches. This plant can reach a height of 2 to 3 meters and blooms from May to June. The wild rose has an oval-shaped fruit and a red color (rosehip) that developed from a flower bed. This plant occupies a very widespread habitat! It spreads throughout Europe, it is also found in North Africa, but also in North Asia. It can most often be found along forest edges or on rocky outcrops, from foothill areas all the way to the lowlands.

This plant has a very pleasant and beautiful taste and that is why rosehip jam is one of the most favorite desserts of a large number of people. Liqueur, wine, and tea can also be made from rose hips. What is widely known is that the fruit of this plant is extremely healing!

Rosehip has extremely valuable and natural ingredients such as:

• Vitamin C and K.

• Invert sugar and sucrose

• Carotenoid Lycopene

• B Carotene

• Pectin

• And many more

Also, the seeds of this plant have a fatty oil that is enriched with linoleic, linoleic, and oleic acid.

Rosehip seeds can be used to make a specialized vegetable oil that is extremely effective in treating and treating various skin diseases, but it can also be used for daily care. You can also make wild rose tea, which is extremely helpful in:

• Treatment of intestinal diseases and diarrhea

• Strengthening and refreshing organisms

• It also helps with anemia to relieve feelings of fatigue and exhaustion

• Purifying the blood

• Helps the digestive organs

• Helps with urinary tract inflammation

• It stimulates the excretion of urine and reduces the possibility of creating sand

If you want to collect the fruit of the wild rose, know that it is most ideal to do it in late summer, or early autumn. Try to choose a sunny day, because the fruit of the wild rose then has the most vitamin C!

Shrubby roses

Shrubby roses are the most specific species and that is why we cannot classify it in any of the groups of mentioned roses. They are characterized by extremely strong growth, strong resistance to low temperatures, and healthy leaves. This rose has a particularly beautiful tree, large flowers and is suitable for both individual and group planting. Its tree can be enriched with beautiful fruits and distinctly colored thorns, which gives it a striking appearance.

These roses can grow up to 2 meters, but there are also varieties that grow taller.

They are often planted as flower fences, they are also shaped as decorative fans and piles. Although they have existed for a long time, they are considered "modern roses" because today their beauty is increasingly used in the construction of parks and other public areas.

Fallen roses

This type of rose is increasingly known as a ground cover. It reached its popularity in the seventies of the last century due to its lush vegetation. Today, you can also see that large terraces and balconies are decorated with these roses. These roses can look phenomenal in the form of paths in the garden, as well as in combination with other plants. They can also be used to cover an unsightly surface.

Their special charm is that they can easily fit into almost any ambiance, be it in pots, gendarmes, or on their own. Another advantage of these roses is that they can be unusual and very interesting cut flowers. Unfortunately, this plant has an almost barely noticeable smell, and very often it does not have it at all. The ground cover is formed in the form of low shrubs, has shiny and distinct green leaves, and can be of various colors:

• Purple

• Coral colors

• White

• Red

• Pink

• Yellow

• Red

• And many more

If you have doubts about the design and organization of flowers and plants in your garden, garden, or terrace, contact us and the professional staff of Elite Flower Shop will do it for you!

We distinguish two groups of fallen roses:

• The first group consists of roses that are nailed to the ground and their height can reach 30 cm

• The second group consists of roses that have much lush and stronger growth and their height can reach from 40cm to 1m

Dehydrated roses

Finally, at the end of this mini-encyclopedia of roses, we decided to dedicate ourselves to roses, which are one of the leading trends today! These are dehydrated roses, which, although their name does not sound like that, are absolutely natural. This work of art was created by an inherent ecological process, which, believe it or not, can last up to 6 months, without any treatment. The flower arrangements of these roses can be of various colors, shapes, and sizes, and first-class flowers are chosen for them!

In case you get this fantastic rose as a gift, we offer you a few tips:

• Although all roses love light, dehydrated roses should not be exposed to excessive light throughout the day.

• Also, try to keep them in a cooler and drier place.

• Do not treat the petals of this rose in any way!

• If you want to wipe them, use only a dry cloth and do it carefully.

• If you place these roses under a decorative item, you are guaranteed that your rose will have freshness for up to 6 months!

• If due to obligations, you do not have enough time to dedicate to the care of your plants, a dehydrated rose is a right solution for you. Also, this rose has a special beauty and charm, therefore these roses are the most ideal gift that you can give to a dear person.

• You can read about how dehydrated roses are made and some more interesting things in our post about dehydrated roses.

• We hope this mini guide to us through roses has been helpful to you! For any additional questions feel free to contact us and we will be more than happy to help.

The author

@Andjela99