Red Rose History

Evidence suggests that the red rose is nearly 35 milliondisplaying them and growing them. French Empress
years old. The most commonly available roses belongJosephine, particularly after her divorce with Emperor
to two broad categories: the Oriental species and theirNapoleon, took to roses and dedicated a large space
hybrids, and the European or Mediterranean speciesand resources to the cultivation and hybridization of
and their hybrids. It is possible to grow a red roseroses. The palace of Malmaison became home to
anywhere in the world, if the species to which itrose gardens with old and new species. Among these,
belongs is selected according to climatic conditions.the red rose received plenty of attention.
Not surprisingly, therefore, ancient civilizations such asThe red rose also has an interesting place in the
those of the Egyptians, the Greeks and the Romanshistory of England. Opposing factions in York and
seemed to have given the red rose a place of pride.Lancaster fought for control over England in the 15th
Rose fossils have been found near ancient Egyptiancentury. York was synonymous with the white rose
tombs. Greek mythology is replete with references toand Lancaster with the red rose. In fact, the friction
the red rose being sacred to Bacchus, the Greek godbetween these warring factions led to the coining of
of wine, and Venus, the Greek goddess of love. Cupid,the term 'War of the Roses'. Lancaster emerged
of course, is inextricably linked to the red rose.victorious, but this victory did not spell defeat for York.
The Romans seem to have been rather preoccupiedTudor Henry VII and his bride from York facilitated the
with the red rose. Their preoccupation was not just thesymbolic union of red rose and the white rose, and
result of their appreciation for its beauty and fragrance.gave England 'the Rose of England'.
They had discovered the medicinal properties of theWhether it's red roses in England, or in any other part
red rose, and also found ways of capturing itsof the world, botanists credit China with the
fragrance in perfumes. In fact, there is evidence which'ever-blooming' variety. In the late 18th century,
suggests that they experimented with cultivationbotanists succeeded in bringing these to Europe, and
techniques and found ways to make red rosesthen the rest of the world. Today, including hybrids,
blossom beyond their natural peripheries.there are over 150 species of roses. Several of these
The beauty of the red rose has always driven roseare red. There are different shades of red roses
lovers to find ways and means of collecting them,available today, and they are of different sizes.