Ever wonder where roses came from? Here are a couple of facts and history of the well know flower:

The rose flower is approximately 35 million years old!

15th Century - Pick a Side!
The rose was used as a symbol for the coalitions fighting to control England. The white rose represented York, and the red, Lancaster. This is why the conflict between the two is now known as the “War of Roses.”

17th Century - Roses Become a High Demand.
During this time, royalty considered roses and rose water to be legal tender. Because of this, peasants were forced to cultivate roses to meet their high demands. The rose was used as a form of payment and to barter with. Royalty also used them in bath water, as confetti during a party, as a sweet smelling perfume, and even in medicine.

Napolean Bonaparte - And His Wife!
Josephine, (Napolean’s wife), was royalty during the 17th century. She aquired an extensive collection of roses and kept them in the garden known as Chateau de Malmaison. This is where the famous botanical illustrator, Pierre Joseph Redoutes, is rumored to have begun his career. It is also the spot where Pierre did the majority of his work for his watercolor collection, “Le Rose.”

Did you know there is a rose named after Napolean? The Chateau de Napolean.

18th Century - Let Me Introduce You.
This is when the cultivated rose was first introduced from China to Europe. Most of our roses today can be traced back to this time.

Greek Mythology - How the Rose Was Created.
In Greek mythology it is believed that Aphrodite gave the rose it’s name, though Chloris created it. Chloris (goddess of flowers), was cleaning up the forest when she came across a beautiful but lifeless body of a nymph. She felt terrible, and to right the death she called upon several gods and goddesses for help to create the rose. Aphrodite (goddess of love), gave the body even more beauty; Dionysus (god of wine), added nectar to help the flower smell sweet; the 3 Graces gave the rose charm, brightness, and joy; and Zephyr (the West Wind), blew the clouds away so that Apollo (sun god), could shine and make the beautiful rose bloom.

And so, the rose was created!