The History Of Roses

When was the first rose given?

Have roses always been so romantic?

Welcome back to Rose Friday. Rose Friday is our weekly series where we discuss tips and how to care for roses. Last week, we talked about The Meaning Behind Rose Colors.

The Rose – A History

Have you ever wondered when the first rose was given or if a rose has always been able to apologize for someone? Thousands of years ago, were people comforted after losing a loved one by a rose? Today, the rose is a powerful expression of love and can be the crown jewel in a garden. Did roses always captivate us?

It does look like humankind has always been enchanted by the rose. However, humankind was not the only ones enchanted by the rose. The legend is that the Goddess of Love, Aphrodite, created the rose when her tears and the blood of Adonis her lover met.

The earliest known rose was 35 million-years ago in Europe and Egypt. In Rome, almost to romance his dinner guests, Nero showered them with rose petals. In an effort to imprint her memory on Marc Antony, when Cleopatra would see him, she would have her rooms filled with rose petals.

According to The Flower Expert:

“Roman high society women used petals much like currency believing that they could banish wrinkles if used in poultices. Rose petals were often dropped in wine because it was thought that the essence of rose would stave off drunkenness and victorious armies would return to be showered with rose petals from the civilians that crowded the balconies above the streets.”

It was the French in 1867,  who breed the hybrid tea rose, “La France” which is was we think of when we think of roses. Fast-forward to the end of the 20th century and there were more than 10,000 successfully bred hybrid tea roses.

On this lovely Rose Friday, we will leave you with this fact. There is a rose bush that is said to be the oldest living rose bush that dates back 1,000 years. In Hildesheim, Germany, that rose bush that has stood the test of time stands blooming on the wall of the Cathedral.

Please make sure to stop back next Friday for “Rose Friday” when we continue our series discussing more tips and tricks for caring for your roses.