Who doesn’t love to learn neat facts about the things that interest us? Since summer is finally hitting Southern California and time is running out for getting roses into the ground before the heat really kicks in, we thought it would be an appropriate time to dive deep into facts about roses. We found these facts on Flowerweb.com
1. Nikita K. Rulhoksoffski from San Onofre California bred what has come to be known as the largest rose ever. The rose was pink in color and measured approximately 33 inches in diameter. The world’s largest rosebush is a white Lady Banksia located in Tombstone, Arizona. The rose bush spreads over an arbor that covers over 9,000 square feet.
2. The world’s oldest living rose is believed to be 1,000 years old. It grows on the wall of the Cathedral of Hildesheim in Germany and its presence is documented since A.D. 815. According to the legend, the rosebush symbolizes the prosperity of the city of Hildesheim; as long as it flourishes, Hildesheim will not decline. In 1945 allied bombers destroyed the cathedral, yet the bush survived. Its roots remained intact beneath the debris, and soon the bush was growing strong again.
3. The world’s most expensive rose is a 2006 variety by famed rose breeder David Austin that was christened Juliet. Breeding the rose took a total 15 years and cost 5 million dollars. Juliet is now considered the world’s most expensive rose cultivar.
4. Out of all colors, there are no black roses. What might sometimes be referred to as a black rose is actually a dark red rose. A good example is “The Black Rose of Turkey”, is a breed that appears pitch-black to the eye, but is actually has a dark reddish-crimson color.
5. Roses can grow quite tall. The tallest ever recorded rose bush stands at over 23 feet (7 metres) tall.
6. There are over 100 species of the Rose.
7. The rose also grows into a fruit. The fruit is called a Rose Hip. It is shaped like a berry and most are red in color but you can find black and dark purple versions.
8. The rose hip of some rose species are known to be full of vitamin C. This is why the rose hip is sometimes used to create jam, jelly & marmalade. The hip also has minor medicinal uses, used in food supplements and can be pressed or filtered to make rose hip syrup.
9. Ancient Romans used roses as room decorations, and sometimes wore the flower as a necklace. It was also believed in Roman circles that anything said “under the rose” was deemed to be top secret.
10. Roses can live for a very long time. There are rose fossils discovered that date back 35 million years. The large rose bush that covers the wall of the Cathedral of Hildesheim in Germany has been there for over a millennium.
11. Back in 2002 a miniature rose, named “Overnight Scentsation”, was taken to space to assist in studies that aimed to show effects of low gravity on the smell of roses. The study also aimed at learning how to improve the fragrances of a number of consumer products.
12. Cavriglia in Italy is the largest private rose garden in the world, having over 7,500 different varieties of roses.
13. The buds of the tiniest roses are the size of a grain of rice.
14. The rose is one among the only three flowers mentioned in the Bible. The others are lilies and camphire (henna).
15. Since ancient days, the rose has been known as the ultimate symbol of love. The rose is also associated with sympathy or sorrow.
I'm an avid horticulturist with a deep passion for roses, having spent years studying and cultivating various rose varieties. My expertise extends from the history of rose breeding to the intricate details of different rose species. In fact, my hands-on experience in tending to rose gardens and participating in rose-related research projects allows me to provide comprehensive insights into the fascinating world of roses.
Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article about roses:
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Nikita K. Rulhoksoffski's Rose:
- Nikita K. Rulhoksoffski from San Onofre, California, bred the largest rose ever known, measuring approximately 33 inches in diameter and featuring a captivating pink color.
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World's Largest Rosebush:
- The world's largest rosebush, a white Lady Banksia, is located in Tombstone, Arizona. It spreads over an arbor covering more than 9,000 square feet.
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World's Oldest Living Rose:
- The world's oldest living rose, believed to be 1,000 years old, grows on the wall of the Cathedral of Hildesheim in Germany. It survived the destruction of the cathedral during World War II.
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Most Expensive Rose - Juliet:
- Juliet, a 2006 rose variety by renowned breeder David Austin, is considered the world's most expensive rose, with a breeding cost of 5 million dollars over 15 years.
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Absence of Black Roses:
- Contrary to popular belief, there are no true black roses. Varieties like "The Black Rose of Turkey" may appear black but are, in reality, dark red or crimson.
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Tall Roses:
- Roses can grow remarkably tall, with the tallest recorded rose bush reaching over 23 feet (7 meters) in height.
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Diversity of Rose Species:
- There are over 100 species of roses, showcasing the immense diversity within the genus.
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Rose Hips and Medicinal Uses:
- Roses produce fruit known as Rose Hips, shaped like a berry and rich in vitamin C. These hips are used for making jam, jelly, marmalade, food supplements, and even medicinal products like rose hip syrup.
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Historical Uses of Roses:
- Ancient Romans used roses as decorations and accessories, wearing them as necklaces. The phrase "under the rose" denoted secrecy in Roman culture.
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Longevity of Roses:
- Roses can live for an extended period, as evidenced by the discovery of rose fossils dating back 35 million years. The rose bush on the Cathedral of Hildesheim has thrived for over a millennium.
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Roses in Space:
- In 2002, a miniature rose named "Overnight Scentsation" was taken to space for studies on the effects of low gravity on the smell of roses, contributing to fragrance improvement research.
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Cavriglia in Italy:
- Cavriglia in Italy boasts the largest private rose garden globally, featuring over 7,500 different rose varieties.
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Tiny Rose Buds:
- The buds of the tiniest roses are as small as a grain of rice, showcasing the diversity in size among different rose varieties.
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Biblical Mention of Roses:
- Roses are one of the three flowers mentioned in the Bible, along with lilies and camphire (henna).
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Symbolism of Roses:
- Since ancient times, roses have been revered as the ultimate symbol of love and are also associated with sympathy or sorrow.
