More than a Valentine’s day cliche, roses count for the most loved flower worldwide for multiple reasons. They are astonishingly versatile and come in a stunning array of shapes, sizes, and hues, making them a favorite in gardens. You might be surprised to know that roses are edible and frequently enjoyed by the ancient Romans and Egyptians. Keep scrolling to learn more fascinating facts about this astonishing bloom.
Roses are One of the Oldest Flowers
As per the archaeologists, rose fossils date back as far as 35 million years. Guinness Book of World Records claims roses are the oldest plant species to be grown as decoration. Through documents dated to AD 50, it’s been found that the ancient Romans grew the flowers in vast plantations and local hothouses to ensure a year-round supply of medicinal extracts, cooking ingredients, and ornamentation. They used roses to decorate buildings, furniture, and people, whereas the petals were used creatively to design carpets and walkways. Over 5000 years ago, Chinese and Japanese created rose gardens.
Roses Can Last Long
Surprisingly, the oldest living rose is 1,000 years old and grows on the Cathedral of Hildesheim wall in Germany. As per a legend, the rosebush is symbolic of the city’s prosperity; as long as it flourishes, Hildesheim will not decline. In 1945 allied bombers destroyed the cathedral, but the rose bush survived, growing stronger than ever. Try getting your hands on the everlasting roses acrylic box and fetch compliments for your choice.
Roses are Edible
Most people add roses to their homes because of their beauty, but roses have a long history of being used as food and medicine. They are classified as “herbs,” where the petals are edible, and rose water can be added to jellies or jams or used as an added flavor in Indian and Chinese dishes.
Rosehips of Some Rose Species Contain Vitamin C
Roses grow rose-his, a berry-shaped fruit. The fruit can be of any color, from orange, red, dark purple, to black. They are full of vitamin C and are dried to make a refreshing tea. Rosehips are often used to create jam, jelly & marmalade. Also, they offer minor medicinal uses, are used in food supplements, and are pressed to create the rosehip syrup.
Rose Fragrance Used to Make Perfumes
We all love rose fragrances. Roses are loved for their lovely aromas and the floral scent is used to make perfumes and skincare. Rose oil has been an important ingredient in the perfume industry for centuries. Rose oil is extracted from flowers that require many roses to procure just one gram of oil from two thousand roses. The rose scent is extracted from microscopic perfume glands on the petals.
The scent of rose flowers is one of the most treasured characteristics. Rose’s scent is an important element in numerous world’s best and most successful perfume blends. When it comes to choosing roses for making perfumes, Centifolia and damask roses are the top priorities. The petals are most fragranced just before sunrise, so they are gathered at night. After extraction of all the essential oils, they are mixed with other ingredients in order to make perfume.
Rosewater is a by-product of the rose oil-making process. It is further used in perfumes, cosmetics, flavoring, and medicines. Rose syrup (rose liquid) is added to desserts, meringue, marshmallows, and drinks to get a distinctive taste.
Every Rose Color has a Different Meaning
Since time immemorial, roses have been symbolic of love. Your choice of rose color also plays a major role in what a rose symbolizes. Also, different colors of roses can have different meanings in different cultures. Don’t forget to check the rainbow colored roses for sale. In western culture, rose colors have the following associated meanings
Red: Love & Romance
Pink: Elegance & Grace
Yellow: Friendship & Cheer
White: Purity, Innocence & Spirituality
Orange: Enthusiasm & Energy
There is Nothing as Black Rose or Blue Rose
It can be disappointing, but there is nothing called a ‘black’ rose. What you see as a black rose might actually be a dark red rose. For example, “The Black Rose of Turkey”, is a breed that appears pitch-black to the eye, but indeed it is a dark reddish-crimson color. Blue pigmentation in roses doesn’t occur naturally. There are numerous purples among the old roses and several excellent mauves and lilacs, all introduced in 1950s and 1960s as the unexpected result of breeding for vigor.
Rhapsody in Blue is a vigorous shrub with smoky-purple flowers. It makes one of the most popular modern roses. The truth remains that to get authentic blue roses; you need to make some genetic modifications in the lab. Though many people disapprove of it, it is still done. In 2004, blue pigment delphinidin was created by researchers using genetic modification, but such roses still are better described as mauves and lilacs, not blue.
Rose is USA’s National Flower
Rose became the national flower emblem of the United States on November 20, 1986, by President Ronald Reagan. This was done while he was standing in the famous White House Rose Garden. Some varieties of roses also include the state flower of Georgia, Iowa, New York, North Dakota, and Washington, D.C.
George Washington and Abraham Lincoln’s Connection to Roses
George Washington and Abraham Lincoln have a major connection to roses, both directly and indirectly. In the United States, George Washington was the first rose breeder. Washington even named a variety after his mother, Mary Washington. According to President Reagan’s proclamation, George hybridized a rose. He later named it after his mother, the ‘Mary Washington’ rose, a noisette that is still available today.
