Roses, botanic name Rosa were said to have originated mainly in Asia, China to be precise, though the Egyptians were also thought to have been among the first to cultivate them.
Wild roses were grown on Crete, an island in Greece. Roses grew in the Middle East for many, many years and were used as medicine and to make Rose Water. Near the end of the Middle Ages, elaborate rose gardens could be found at the homes of the rich and famous, wealthy and royalty.
Later, in the 18th century, roses were introduced to Europe from China. Roses have a long and colourful history as a symbol of love, beauty, war and politics.
There are some 150 species with 30,000 varieties grown throughout the northern hemisphere from North America to Africa.
Most modern day roses can be traced back to their ancestry.
Years ago, Guyana had a beautiful collection of rose plants grown in the Promenade Gardens, a gift from Britain after the garden was laid out with circular beds of sweet-smelling roses.
To be continued…
Until next week, Happy Gardening.
