Today, roses are sought out for their beauty and reputation as a symbol of love. But few people recognize the profound influence they’ve had throughout history. To shed light on the depth of their legacy, we’ve curated a collection of surprising, lesser-known facts about roses spanning millions of years of history, biology, cultural significance, and everyday uses.
Rose Facts: A Quick Overview
With over 300 species and 30,000 cultivated varieties, the rose is one of the most diverse and storied plants on earth. From wild roses to modern hybrids, behind every bloom lies a rich history, unique biology, and deep symbolic meaning. Knowing the story behind a rose and what makes it so timeless will deepen your appreciation for it in the garden even further.
Historical Facts About Roses
Both wild and cultivated, roses have been celebrated across civilizations. From the prehistoric era to modern-day society, they have one of the longest and most fascinating histories of any plant. Here are 4 historical facts about roses that may surprise you.
Roses Are Among the Oldest Flowers on Earth
Roses have inhabited this planet for much longer than we have. In the late 19th century, rose fossils dating back 35-40 million years were discovered in Oregon and Colorado, suggesting they predate modern human civilization by tens of millions of years. The ability to adapt to extreme climate shifts in diverse regions is a testament to the plant’s remarkable resilience.
The World's Oldest Living Rose
The Hildesheim Cathedral Rose in Germany (also known as the Thousand-Year Rose) is believed to be in existence since A.D. 815. What makes this rose special is not simply its age, but its unwavering strength. When the city was bombed in 1945, it was buried beneath rubble, seemingly destroyed. But 8 weeks later, new shoots emerged from the intact roots beneath the debris. Still thriving today, the rose is a symbol of hope, renewal, and prosperity.
Roses Through Ancient Civilizations
Roses are believed to have been first cultivated for gardens 5,000 years ago in ancient China. They were prized for not only their ornamental value, but medicinal and culinary properties. Through trade, they made their way into the Middle East and Europe where they were mass cultivated and used for ceremonial purposes. The modern post-wedding tradition of scattering rose petals on the bed actually began in Ancient Rome and spread to Egypt, where Cleopatra famously filled her chambers with them in order to seduce general Mark Antony.
Roses and the War of the Roses
The War of Roses was a series of English civil wars during the 15th century between the houses of Lancaster and York. The House of York was symbolized by a white rose, while the House of Lancaster was symbolized by a red rose, both competing for claims to the throne. The war ended in a marriage that unified the two houses, and the red-and-white Tudor rose became England’s national emblem of peace.
Botanical Facts About Roses
With their extensive genealogy and fascinating biology, roses stand unrivaled among other flowering plants and garden favorites. Here are 4 botanical facts about roses that highlight their unique traits and explain their enduring appeal.
Roses Belong to a Surprisingly Large Plant Family
Roses have an extensive family tree containing over 4,000 species. They’re relatives of delicious fruits and nuts like apples, pears, peaches, plums, cherries, apricots, and almonds all belonging to the Rosacae family.
There Are Over 300 Rose Species and Thousands of Varieties
The world of roses goes much deeper than the classic hybrid tea. There are 3 main types of roses: wild or species roses, old garden roses, and modern roses. While over 300 wild ancestor species exist, most of the 30,000+ modern varieties trace back to just 7-5 of them.
Rose Bushes Can Grow Remarkably Large and Live for Centuries
Rose bushes are excellent garden investments. When properly cared for, they’re among the largest, longest-lived flowering plants that exist. To put it in perspective, the world’s largest rose bush is a white Lady Banksia, measuring a whopping 23 feet tall and covering over 9,000 square feet. You can find this towering beauty at the Rose Tree Museum in Tombstone, Arizona.
Roses Grow a Fruit Called Rose Hips
When a rose has completed its bloom cycle, it forms berry-shaped fruits at the base of the flower. These tasty rose hips range from red and orange to dark purple and black in color. Packed with vitamin C, they’ve been used for centuries in teas, jams, jellies, syrups, and food supplements.
Facts About Rose Symbolism & Meaning
Few flowers carry as much symbolic weight as roses, transcending cultures, time periods, and occasions. Here are 3 fascinating facts about rose symbolism and the deeper meanings behind the petals.
Roses Have Symbolized Love, Politics, and Power
The symbolism of roses goes far beyond romantic love, beauty, and passion. Numerous political parties have used the red rose as their emblem, representing social democracy and anti-authoritarianism. The Romans also used the rose as a symbol of discretion. They created the concept of “sub rosa,” meaning anything said under a rose should be kept a secret.
Every Rose Color Carries Its Own Meaning
With a wide variety of rose colors also comes a wide variety of meanings and symbolisms. The most common of these are red for love and passion, white for purity and innocence, and yellow for friendship. Their versatility makes them suitable gifts for any loved one in your life.
Roses Are One of Only Three Flowers Mentioned in the Bible
Roses are one of the most referenced flowers in human creative history. They’re named throughout religious texts, Renaissance art, literature, and music. In scripture, they often symbolize love, purity, and the grace of God.
Facts About Roses You Might Not Expect
Roses are just as mysterious as they are beautiful. Here are 3 of the most surprising facts about roses that you can share with your fellow rose enthusiasts.
Rose Oil Is One of the Most Precious Substances in Perfumery
Used in about 75% of modern feminine perfumes, rose oil is a pillar of the fragrance industry. Microscopic perfume glands located on the undersides of the petals release VOCs: the chemical compounds responsible for rose scents and fragrances. Approximately 2,000 rose petals are needed to produce just one gram of rose oil.
*With perfect climate and soil conditions, Bulgaria’s Rose Valley produces a majority of the world’s rose oil.
Roses Are Edible
The use of roses in cooking dates back to ancient civilizations like Rome, Egypt, and Greece, as well as China and India. Fresh petals, hips, rosewater, and rose-infused oils were used to add a rich floral aroma to both sweet and savory dishes, as well as beverages.
The ancients were onto something. Today, many gardeners make use of their roses in the kitchen to whip up delicious rose-flavored treats, rose hip teas, and jams. Go ahead and try this in your own kitchen, but note that only chemical-free roses should be consumed.
A Rose Once Traveled to Space
In 1998, International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) went to extraordinary lengths in pursuit of luxury. In partnership with NASA, they launched a miniature rose named “Overnight Scentsation” into space to study how low gravity affects a flower’s fragrance production. This research was used to create a unique, “otherworldly” scent that was incorporated into premium consumer fragrances.
Final Thoughts
A rose’s story extends far beyond the modern garden. They’re one of the most historically-rich, botanically-unique, and culturally-significant plants on earth. Visit April & Ashley to browse our entire collection of premium rose bushes and plant a timeless classic in your garden.