The scent and look of roses are commonly associated with Valentine’s day and the month of February. They are a symbol of love, rebirth, and renewal. There are currently over 150 genus Rosa ( Rose Family) species around the world. Some staple Valentine’s day gifts dawning this flower that you will see are freshly bought bouquets, rose petal trails leading to heartfelt surprises, and who can forget the rose teddy bears we are all seeing on TikTok! But have you ever wondered where these magnificent flowers came from? While the actual point of discovery of these beautiful florals is unknown, we do know their existence dates back longer than recorded history. Despite the lack of written evidence experts can still map out key historic points associated with roses. This week’s blog post will discuss just this, breaking down the flower’s historic usage throughout time.

First, let’s start with the furthest point that we can trace this floral through history. Researchers under Dr. Dilcher and his team uncovered fossilized remains of Roses in Colorado, USA. These remains were determined to be over 35 million years old according to the University Of Illinois experts on this topic. The fossilization of the rose was made possible by a combination of environmental conditions and geological processes, as well as the efforts of dedicated scientists.  

When looking at how roses have impacted different time periods I think that the 15th and 17th centuries were periods where roses were consistently desired. In the 15th century, England engaged in what is known as “The Wars of the Roses.” This was a dynamic war fought between the monarchy and the nobility of England. The World History Enceclyopidea pans the blame of these skirmishes on Henry VI’s incompetent rule. Different factions clung to this floral as a symbol identifying specific factions in the war. White roses symbolize York where as the Red Rose was a symbol of the Lancaster family. Fast forward to the 17th century and the demand for rose and rose-related products was already in full swing. During this period, it is said that roses and rose water were used as barter for payment because of their high value.

As we enter the 18th century one of the most notable associations to the rose is the world-renowned film “Alice in Wonderland”. For those who haven’t seen the movie, it is a tale of twists and turns, eccentric tea parties, and rabbit holes. But most notable for me and many others, is the character of the Red Queen. The Red Queen was known for her eccentric garden which was full of bright red roses as well as white-painted roses. This film has grossed billions of dollars over the years with an array of adaptions one most recently featuring Mia Wasikowska as Alice. 

Lastly, we will take a look at where roses are today in the 21st century. A staple piece to any Valentine’s day surprise celebration, the rose is as prevalent today as it ever was. One of my favorite parts of living in this time is seeing the creativity of others on social media. I have seen some very extravagant rose surprises, as well as heartwarming subtle giftings of a simple rose bouquet. With the symbolism, this plant holds it is a great way to showcase one’s love for another in a meaningful and beautiful way. 

Beyond gifting, roses make a beautiful addition to your garden! It may just be time to clear a spot in your yard to plant some of these beautiful flowers. Roses have a reputation for being difficult to grow in NY but are a rewarding challenge if done right. Here are a few tips to consider when growing your first roses:

Six Diamonds tree service is here to assist in all brush or tree clearing services that fall into our service areas. We have over 25 years of experience helping our local communities with their landscaping needs. So, contact us today & let’s get your yard looking better than ever. Free, no-obligation estimates: (845) 878-7888. Service areas include Western, CT; Dutchess County, NY; Putnam County, NY; Westchester County, NY.