A Rose
"A single rose to lane,A single rose to slain
A single rose to hide my pain
A single rose to turn the tide ,A single rose to make roads wide
A single rose as my guild
A single rose to rise the soul,A single rose to widen the hole
A single rose to achieve a goal
A single rose to melt the heart,A single rose to force a start
A single rose to cult
A single rose to freeze my body,A single rose to mourn this memory
A single rose to start a life
A single rose to end the strife" - by a Rose lover
A single rose to hide my pain
A single rose to turn the tide ,A single rose to make roads wide
A single rose as my guild
A single rose to rise the soul,A single rose to widen the hole
A single rose to achieve a goal
A single rose to melt the heart,A single rose to force a start
A single rose to cult
A single rose to freeze my body,A single rose to mourn this memory
A single rose to start a life
A single rose to end the strife" - by a Rose lover
A rose is a woody perennial of the genus Rosa, within the family Rosaceae. There are over 100 species. They form a group of plants that can be erect shrubs, climbing or trailing with stems that are often armed with sharp prickles. Flowers vary in size and shape and are usually large and showy, in colours ranging from white through yellows and reds. Most species are native to Asia, with smaller numbers native to Europe, North America, and northwest Africa. Species, cultivars and hybrids are all widely grown for their beauty and often are fragrant. Rose plants range in size from compact, miniature roses, to climbers that can reach 7 meters in height. Different species hybridize easily, and this has been used in the development of the wide range of garden roses.
The name rose comes from French, itself from Latin rosa, which was perhaps borrowed from Oscan, from Greek ρόδον rhodon (Aeolic βρόδον wrodon), related to Old Persian wrd-, Avestan varəda, Sogdian ward, Parthian wâr, Armenian vard.
Uses
Roses are best known as ornamental plants grown for their flowers in the garden and sometimes indoors. They have been also used for commercial perfumery and commercial cut flower crops. Some are used as landscape plants, for hedging and for other utilitarian purposes such as game cover and slope stabilization. They also have minor medicinal uses.Ornamental plants
The majority of ornamental roses are hybrids that were bred for their flowers. A few, mostly species roses are grown for attractive or scented foliage (such as Rosa glauca and Rosa rubiginosa), ornamental thorns (such as Rosa sericea) or for their showy fruit (such as Rosa moyesii).
Ornamental roses have been cultivated for millennia, with the earliest known cultivation known to date from at least 500 BC in Mediterranean countries, Persia, and China. Many thousands of rose hybrids and cultivars have been bred and selected for garden use as flowering plants. Most are double-flowered with many or all of the stamens having mutated into additional petals.
A few species and hybrids are grown for non-floral ornamental use. Among these are those grown for prominent hips, such as the flagon shaped hips of Rosa moyesii. Sometimes even the thorns can be treated as an attraction or curiosity, such as with Rosa sericea.
A few species and hybrids are grown for non-floral ornamental use. Among these are those grown for prominent hips, such as the flagon shaped hips of Rosa moyesii. Sometimes even the thorns can be treated as an attraction or curiosity, such as with Rosa sericea.
Cut flowers
Roses are a popular crop for both domestic and commercial cut flowers. Generally they are harvested and cut when in bud, and held in refrigerated conditions until ready for display at their point of sale.
Perfume
Rose perfumes are made from attar of roses or rose oil, which is a mixture of volatile essential oils obtained by steam distilling the crushed petals of roses. An associated product is rose water which is used for cooking, cosmetics, medicine and in religious practices. The production technique originated in Persia then spread through Arabia and India, and more recently into eastern Europe. In Bulgaria, Iran and Germany, damask roses (Rosa damascena 'Trigintipetala') are used. In other parts of the world Rosa centifolia is commonly used. The oil is transparent pale yellow or yellow-grey in colour. 'Rose Absolute' is solvent-extracted with hexane and produces a darker oil, dark yellow to orange in colour. The weight of oil extracted is about one three-thousandth to one six-thousandth of the weight of the flowers; for example, about two thousand flowers are required to produce one gram of oil.
Food and drink
Rose hips are occasionally made into jam, jelly, and marmalade, or are brewed for tea, primarily for their high vitamin C content. They are also pressed and filtered to make rose hip syrup. Rose hips are also used to produce Rose hip seed oil, which is used in skin products and some makeup products.
Rose petals or flower buds are sometimes used to flavour ordinary tea, or combined with other herbs to make tisanes.
In France there is much use of rose syrup, most commonly made from an extract of rose petals. In the United States, this French rose syrup is used to make rose scones and marshmallows.
Rose flowers are used as food, also usually as flavouring or to add their scent to food. Other minor uses include candied rose petals.
Rose Creams (rose flavoured fondant covered in chocolate, often topped with a crystallised rose petal) are a traditional English confectionery widely available from numerous producers in the UK.
Rose petals or flower buds are sometimes used to flavour ordinary tea, or combined with other herbs to make tisanes.
In France there is much use of rose syrup, most commonly made from an extract of rose petals. In the United States, this French rose syrup is used to make rose scones and marshmallows.
Rose flowers are used as food, also usually as flavouring or to add their scent to food. Other minor uses include candied rose petals.
Rose Creams (rose flavoured fondant covered in chocolate, often topped with a crystallised rose petal) are a traditional English confectionery widely available from numerous producers in the UK.
Medicine
The rose hip, usually from R. canina is used as a minor source of Vitamin C. The fruits of many species have significant levels of vitamins and have been used as a food supplement. Many roses have been used in herbal and folk medicines. Rosa chinensis has long been used in Chinese traditional medicine. This and other species have been used for stomach problems, and are being investigated for controlling cancer growth.
Symbolism
In
literature, roses often symbolize love and beauty; therefore, they
represent ladies, also. Roses are a frequently used flower symbol. From a
Christian perspective, a rose is a symbol of heaven and harmony in the
world. Furthermore, the rose is considered the flower of the Virgin
Mary.
The color of the rose is often significant.
The color of the rose is often significant.
- red for romantic love, selflessness, sacrifice
- white for purity, charm, silence, "You are heavenly", reverence, humility, youthfulness, innocence
- pink for youth, early love, recovery
- yellow for friendship, joy, freedom
- black for death, twisted relationships (Black Rose)
- blue for fantasy, something unattainable
Like other plants, a rose, especially one that is still alive, can also carry overtones of growth, renewal. The thorns of a rose represent on how nothing is perfect thus the saying "Every rose has its thorn". In actuality, the thorns are prickles that are used to cling onto other vegetation or to protect itself. It's prickles are also capable of infecting sporotrichosis when punctured into the skin. Due to this, rose bushes can also provide a barrier.
At a loss for words on how to tell someone exactly why you chose flowers in the color you did?
Sometimes we are too! So we sought the help of a poet who has put together some expressions that beautifully communicate the color meaning behind your gift of roses...
...or maybe these messages will inspire you as you create a special love note of your own.
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