One flower stands as the most well loved, recognizable flower the world over. Its image has become synonymous with beauty, romance and love. Its praises have been sung since long before Shakespeare's time, and it continues to be a favorite of poets, artists and lovers to this day. The rose is one of the most popular of cut flowers sold in America and many European countries, and is popular for gardeners as well, as a way to enhance their space as well as show off gardening skills.
Perhaps one of the reasons roses are so cherished lies in their delicate natures. Gardeners have to lavish attention on most varieties, watering and pruning carefully to create beautiful blooms. That level of care transfers to the recipient of a treasured bloom. Newer developments have led to heartier varieties which need less involvement. Growing roses may be becoming easier, but their legacy remains. They grow in temperate climates in the northern hemisphere, and thrive in mostly sunny places with a lot of moisture. If properly cared for, roses can bloom from late spring (around June) to the first frost.
Roses belong to the family Rosaceae and the genus Rosa. There are over one hundred species within this genus. Roses grow as shrubs or as climbers and are deciduous plants in most cases (meaning they shed their leaves at the end of the growing season), although a few types appear to be evergreen. The shrub varieties have woody stalks with pinnate (feather like) leaves and thorns. These thorns are also present on climbing varieties; in fact it is widely believed that the thorns exist to help anchor climbing roses to other plants. The most striking feature of the plant is undoubtedly its bloom. Tight buds varying in size from less than an inch to over three inches slowly unwrap to reveal layered blooms of silky soft petals. The opened blossoms can range in circumference from about the size of a small coin to the size of a dessert plate. Roses come in many colors including numerous shades of white, pink, red, yellow, peach, orange, and purple. In its most popular tones you will find a myriad of shades, with reds running from scarlet to rust to deep burgundies which are almost black. Pinks come in light, barely there shades to intense fuchsias and rich mauves. There are also variegated types which combine these colors along the tips of the petals, or as streaks running up from the base of the petals.
The rose has become an important economic product as well, as it is used for many things. Roses or their aggregate fruit, rosehips, are used not only for decoration, but for their scent as well. Perfumes, lotions, soaps and numerous other commodities have remained popular for generations because of their unmistakably lovely floral scent. The rose has also made its way into the English language and culture as well as many other European cultures. "A rose amongst thorns", "Every rose has its thorns," "A rose by any other name," are all expressions used to communicate the value of something, its beauty, and its hard earned price. Victorian poets and writers developed a language or symbolism for many different flowers of their time. Not surprisingly, the rose represented love, with different colors and types of roses meaning different things. Today that tradition continues, with a myriad of new roses carrying newly developed messages of their own. Anything from thwarted love to purest true love to friendship can be symbolized by the giving of a rose. Roses have established their place as one of the loveliest, most treasured flowers out there, and new varieties will only continue their reign as 'the flower of love'.