Rose
Rosa
Family: Rosaceae · Also called Wild Rose, Garden Rose, Damask Rose, Rhodophora, Crepinia, Rhodopsis
Floral · Spring–Summer bloomer
The rose is the most celebrated flower in human history. Cultivated for over 5,000 years, it has been woven into the mythology, art, and daily life of nearly every civilization. With over 30,000 cultivated varieties, roses range from the simple five-petaled wild rose to the densely layered blooms of modern hybrids.
love, beauty, passion, secrecy
In the Victorian language of flowers, rose means “Love and beauty”. The phrase 'sub rosa' (under the rose) means in secret, Romans hung roses over meeting tables to indicate confidentiality. Cleopatra reportedly filled her palace floors with rose petals to greet Mark Antony. The rose is the national flower of England and the United States.
Did You Know?
It takes roughly 10,000 pounds of rose petals to produce just one pound of rose essential oil, making it one of the most expensive ingredients in perfumery. Bulgaria's Rose Valley produces 85% of the world's rose oil.
Temperate regions worldwide, from wild hedgerows to cultivated gardens
Rose is native to Asia. It naturally grows in temperate regions worldwide, from wild hedgerows to cultivated gardens.
Scent Profile
“A rich, complex floral with honeyed, spicy, and fruity facets, the quintessential flower scent, layered and endlessly varied.”
Quick Reference
- Scientific NameRosa
- FamilyRosaceae
- Native ToAsia
- Bloom SeasonSpring–Summer
- LifespanPerennial
- Birth MonthJune
Cultural Significance
The phrase 'sub rosa' (under the rose) means in secret, Romans hung roses over meeting tables to indicate confidentiality. Cleopatra reportedly filled her palace floors with rose petals to greet Mark Antony. The rose is the national flower of England and the United States.