Morgan Finch

11/4/2014

Roses
Table of Contents
History........................................................................................ 1
The Rose in Use...................................................................................2
The Rose as Symbol.............................................................................2

Selecting Roses............................................................................ 2
Types of Roses....................................................................................3
Judging Rose Quality...........................................................................3
Grafted Roses.................................................................................................................. 4
Bare-Root and Potted Roses............................................................................................ 4

Diseases and Insects...........................................................................4

Table of Figures............................................................................ 5

Throughout history, roses have been considered a symbol of love and beauty. Did you
know they have also been a symbol of war and death? In the following pages you will learn the
story of the rose as well how to select and care for these beautiful flowers.

History
Fossil evidence shows that there were roses on earth more than 35 million years ago.
Roses are believed to have grown wild throughout most of the world. The earliest roses were all
red, or shades of red. In fact, the genus name, Rosa, means red in Latin. The first cultivation
probably began 5,000 years ago in China. Human beings have been captivated by the flower ever
since. They have worked hard to nurture and develop these wondrous blooms so that now there

Morgan Finch

11/4/2014

are hundreds of types, varieties, and hybrids. (For information on types of roses, refer to the
section, Types of Roses.)

The Rose in Use

Although primarily used as ornamental decorations in gardens, homes, and at events such
as weddings, roses have had other uses throughout history. Romans used rose petals as the
original confetti at celebrations. Cleopatra is said to have blanketed rooms with rose petals and
filled fountains with rose water. In fact, Egyptian mummies have been found adorned with roses.
Throughout history, roses have been used as perfume and as medicine. Perhaps the most
unusual use for roses was as currency. In the seventeenth century, roses were in such high demand
that the flowers, the petals, and even rose water were considered legal tender!

The Rose as Symbol

Shakespeare was not the first or the last to use the rose as a symbol of love and beauty.
Roses have provided inspiration for writers, poets, artists and musicians throughout the ages.
During the 15th century, two royal families waged a lengthy war to gain control of England. Each
family, or house, selected a different color rose as its symbol. The white rose represented the
house of York, while the red rose represented the house of Lancaster. The conflict has gone down
in history as the War of the Roses.

Selecting Roses
While some roses have a reputation as being difficult to grow or care for, many variations
exist that are resistant to disease, offer beautiful blooms and fragrances, and blend easily into
suburban landscapes. With a little thought and preparation, anyone can select and grow
magnificent roses.

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11/4/2014

Types of Roses
Your first trip to a garden shop in search of roses may prove to be overwhelming. The
number and variety of rose plants is amazing. There are creepers, climbers, shrubs, and miniatures.
There are colors ranging from white to salmon to yellow to crimson. There are four basic groups
of roses, although there are some that do not fall into any particular category. You may find it
helpful to learn about the basic types of roses before you start shopping. For a description of
common types of roses, refer to Error: Reference source not found.
Table 1: Types of Roses

Species Roses

These are uncultivated varieties. They are Usually

hardy and disease resistant. They come in a wide
variety of types and colors.
Old European Garden Roses
These are the oldest group of cultivated roses. They are
hybrid groups common in European gardens prior to the
18th century. They usually have a strong fragrance and can
withstand cold winters, but are susceptible to heat,
drought, and disease.
Hardy Repeat-Blooming Old These plants are similar to the Old European Garden Roses
Roses
but they will bloom more than once each season.
Modern Roses
These include the varieties developed after the 18th century.
Miniature Roses
Small plants that are extremely useful for small gardens
and container planting.
Shrub Roses
Plants that are noted for their rounded shape, winter
hardiness and disease resistance. Shrub roses tend to be
free-flowering, which means they provide blooms all
season long, and are suitable for using as hedges and in
border gardens.

Judging Rose Quality

The quality of rose plants varies depending on the vendor. Ask for references before
purchasing to make sure that other customers have been satisfied with the plants. You can order
plants by mail or on-line, but unless you are completely certain that you are dealing with a
reputable vendor, you may prefer purchasing plants locally, so you can see them before you buy,
and so that you can return them if necessary.

Morgan Finch

11/4/2014

Grafted Roses
Grafted roses are rated based on an American Nursery Standards grading system. For
information about the grading system, refer to Error: Reference source not found.
Table 2: Grades of Grafted Roses

Grade 1

Grade 1
Grade 2

Plants have at least three canes that are about of an inch in diameter and
have no more than four inches between the graft union and the top of the
roots. They also have a large well developed root system. They must be two
years old when harvested for sale.
Plants have two strong canes and should quickly catch up to Grade 1 plants in
size and quality.
Plants are of inferior quality. They have very small canes and are usually sold as
bargain roses.

Bare-Root and Potted Roses

Bare-rootdormant plants sold with no soil around the rootsand potted plants have no
official standard of grading. You must judge the quality by sight. Bare root plants should have
canes that are plump and green, with smooth bark. They should feel heavy, because a light plant is
likely to be dried out and brittle.
Potted plants generally have an extensive root system, although if they are called
containerized, they may simply be bare root plants that the garden center has potted. If so, they
may be young and have an immature root system.

Diseases and Insects

Roses have earned the reputation as difficult to grow. They are prone to fungi, viruses, and
bacteria, and attract pests of all kinds. Some common diseases include blackspot, powdery
mildew, stem cankers, botrytis blight, mosaic, and crown gall. Common pests include aphids,
Japanese beetles, leaf cutter bees, spider mites, and thrips.
A healthy plant is more likely to resist disease and pests, so make sure you select the
proper site for your rose garden, including the correct amount of sun and shade and the proper
soil and drainage. In addition, you may need to follow a pesticide and fungicide regimen.

Morgan Finch

11/4/2014

Table of Figures
Table 1: Types of Roses.......................................................................................................... 2
Table 2: Grades of Grafted Roses........................................................................................... 3