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ROSE


ROSE (Rosa species)

Roses are perhaps the best loved and most widely planted shrub in temperateparts of the world. For an herb garden the most frequently planted onesare the old roses-particularly damask, cabbage, and sweet briar.

Cabbage rose (R. centifolia) has prickly stems growing to 6 feet. Pink topurple, very fragrant double flowers bloom in the late spring and earlysummer. R. c. muscosa or moss rose has flower stalks and bases covered withhairy green "moss." The flowers are mostly double, and pink, white,or red in color, and have an intense old rose fragrance.

R. damascena, the old world damask rose, grows to 6 feet and has pale greenfoliage. Double blossoms appear in large clusters and are very fragrant.Colors range from pure white to red. The species flowers only in spring,but some of its varieties will blossom repeatedly through summer and fall.The variety called Kazanlik (R. d. trigintipetala) is grown in vast quantitiesin southeast Europe for its flower petals which produce attar of roses.

R. eglanteria or sweet briar is a vigorous climber to 8-12 feet. The stemsare prickly and covered with dark green fragrant leaves that smell likeapples. The single flowers (1 1/2 inches across) appear singly or in clustersin the late spring, followed by reddish orange fruit. Plant 3-4 feet apartfor a hedge and prune once each year in the spring.

R. gallica (French rose or "Apothecary's Rose") has 3-4 foot tallstems growing from creeping root stocks. The leaves are smooth and darkgreen. The flowers have an old rose fragrance and are about 2 1/2 inchesacross. They are pink through slate blue and purple, often mottled.

R. rugosa, Ramamas rose or Sea tomato is a vigorous hardy shrub growingto 3-8 feet tall. The leaves are bright, glossy green and have distinctiveheavy veins which give them a crinkled appearance. Flowers are 2-4 inchesacross and are single or double and pure white through pink and deep purplishred. The bright red fruit is an inch or more across, shaped like small tomatoesand very showy against the foliage. They are edible but seedy.

Since ancient Grecian times, roses have been a symbol of beauty, love, fidelity,and happiness. They are most valued for their fragrance. In the later Romanperiod the flower petals were strewn on the floors of banquet halls andon the streets during parades and processions. Rose water is said to haveflowed from fountains, and the wealthiest classes bathed in rose wine androse water. Cakes and other delicacies were made from the petals and fruit.
There are two myths which attribute roses to gods. One says that they camefrom the blood of Adonis, the other that they got their red color from theblood of Aphrodite. Varieties of the French rose (R. gallica) were symbolsof the two royal houses of York and Lancaster: a white flowered one forYork and red for Lancaster. Their dynestic struggle against one anotherduring the 15th century was known as the "War of the Roses" after
these symbols. Medicinally, the damask rose was used to make a syrup takenfor colds and coughs.
Roses are usually grown from plants purchased from a nursery or from a mailorder rose specialist. Choose species that are suitable for your climate,as their hardiness varies. Many of the old roses will grow easily from cuttingstaken at the time you prune the plants before they leaf out. In cool summerareas choose varieties that do not have an unusually large number of petalsas they will not always open well. Pastel colors are best; dark, rich colorsoften tend to get "muddy. " Plant in open areas to assure goodair circulation, and water deeply to encourage deep root growth. In hotsummer areas roses grow fast and strong but if
planted in the hot sun they sometimes open prematurely, burn, or fade. Providemidday or afternoon shade for best summer flowers. Avoid reflected heatfrom light colored walls and avoid south or west exposure. Mulch heavilyto conserve moisture and keep roots cool. In cold winter areas, select hardyplants. Plant them with bud onion just below the soil surface. After planting,mound soil over canes for protection against freezing. Begin removing soilgradually when hard freezes are over. Cut out dead branch tips in the spring.Most roses like a well aerated, moderately rich soil and need good watering.Feed regularly in coordination with the blooming periods-just after oneperiod has ended and new growth is beginning for the next one is a goodtime. Roses are subject to aphids, spider mites, and thrips, depending onthe variety and your geographic location. Spray against them as needed.

The most common use for roses is in the landscape, but you also can usethe petals and fruit to make tea, jellies, potpourri, and sachets.