Roses are a Valentine's Day staple, with more roses being sold in February than any other time of year. Famed for their beauty, scent and flowers, they have been around for centuries. With more than 150 species, coming in thousands of sizes, shapes, colors, shades, and fragrances, they are a favorite of gardeners worldwide.
History
One of the oldest flowers, roses evolved from rose-like plants in the temperate climate of the northern hemisphere between 33 – 23 million years ago. Their distinctive five-petaled flowers with serrated leaves and colorful rose hips differentiated them from other plant fossils and are characteristics that can still be found in wild roses today. Impressively, the oldest living rose plant is 1,000 years old, growing on a wall at Hildesheim Cathedral in Germany, and is on UNESCO's World Heritage list.
The process of deliberately cultivating the wild rose into today's infinite varieties began as early 3,000 BCE in China where they were used to make rosewater, rose oil perfumes (just one gram of oil is produced from 2,000 roses!), medicines, and confetti for celebrations. The Egyptians bathed in rose water and scattered petals to make their rooms smell sweeter. The Romans grew roses in large public gardens. Every European medieval monastery had a botanist monk, who grew roses along other plants to be used in religious ceremonies.
Today, in addition to historical uses, rosewater is added to jellies or jams or used as flavoring for Chinese, Persian, Greek, and Indian dishes, edible rose petals can be found in salads, and dried rose hips are used to make a tea or cocktails.
Over the years, different color roses have come to symbolize specific meanings. Red, of course, represents love and romance. Pink signifies grace and elegance, yellow is for friendship and joy, white roses embody purity and mourning, and orange roses convey congratulations.
Types of Roses: Modern, Heritage and Wild
Roses are woody plants, members of the genus Rosa, and belong to the family Rosaceae. They are related to cherry trees, raspberries, and plums. In general, roses are classified into three main categories: modern garden roses, old garden (heritage) and wild roses:
Modern Roses: Modern roses include all roses cultivated since 1867. The first one was a hybrid developed by Jean-Baptiste Guillot, which was a cross between two varieties. Here are some popular types:
Hybrid Tea – Identified by their long straight stems and pointed blooms, they bloom regularly, are often fragrant, are cold hardy and make lovely cut flower arrangements.
China Rose -China rose (Rosa chinesis) is one of the oldest cultivated roses, was brought from China to the West in the late 1700s. Itrevolutionized rose breeding by introducing features like repeat blooming and vibrant colors that were previously unseen.
Shrub Rose – Hardy growing varieties that grow between 5 – 15 feet, usually producing many clusters of flowers on each plant.
Climbing – Are types of shrub roses with long, flexible stems which bloom throughout the summer and fall. They can grow to around 20 ft., but unlike vines, they don't climb by sticking to walls or trellises, so need to attach the woody vines to surfaces to help them climb.
Floribunda – Are identified by their many clusters of stunning flowers and have a distinct bushy appearance. Easy to care for, they are often found in public spaces. The well-known “Iceberg” variety (Rosa ‘Korbin') is known for its profusion of pure white flowers and being disease resistant.
Ground Cover – As the name implies, these are low-growing species which are easy to maintain, with plenty of color and green foliage.
English aka David Austin – A rose breeder created these by combining the best features of Modern and Old Roses. Technically not a separate classification, these roses are known for being winter hardy, disease-resistant, fragrant with pale shades.
Old Garden Roses – Sometimes called “heritage” or “historic” roses, these were cultivated or existed prior to 1867. They are known for their intense fragrances and showy double blooms. Groups include:
Alba – The oldest type of rose hybrids, blooming in late spring or early summer with beautiful white and pink flowers.
Tea – Originated in China and notable for their delightful tea scent, they are repeat bloomers that prefer warmer climates.
Damask – This ancient rose gets its name from Damascus in the Middle East and comes in dark red shades.
Wild Roses – Also known as “Species Roses,” these are not the result of hybridization or cultivation. Usually, they are single bloomers with simple 5-petal flowers. They are hardy, easy-to-care for roses seeming to thrive on neglect and low water. They generally have a spreading nature, producing pink flowers in the spring and summer. The California Wildrose (Rosa californica), our native rose, attracts pollinators and produces deep red rose hips that provide food for birds.
Winter is the Best Time to Plant Bare Root Roses!
The best time to plant roses in our area is typically around January or February, after the last frost. Planting during this time allows the plant to become established prior to summer. Bare-root roses are available only during the winter, when roses are dormant. However, due to our dry December and January with warm, sunny afternoons, bare root roses started to leaf out early this year, so nurseries have already potted them. While potted roses are available all year round, they are usually more expensive and bare-root roses come in a wider range of choices. Look for roses that are disease resistant.
Follow instructions when planting, making sure you allow for adequate sunlight and space to grow. Water regularly at the base of the plant until the plant is established. Adding mulch around the base helps retain moisture and control weed growth. During hot weather check the soil regularly and water when it feels dry. A slow-release brand of fertilizer works best.
Deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flowers. Winter, when roses are generally dormant, is a good time to prune branches, which allows for air circulation and encourages new growth.
Caring for roses can be labor-intensive, but rose gardeners consider it to be a labor of love. On Valentine's Day treat a loved one to roses, and whenever you can, take the time to stop and smell the roses!
Resources on planting and caring for roses:
https://ucanr.edu/sites/VCMG/Growing_Healthy_Roses/
https://mgsantaclara.ucanr.edu/garden-help/lawn-trees-shrubs/rose-care-in-santa-clara-county/
Denise Godbout-Avant has been a UC Master Gardener in Stanislaus County since 2020