The history of Roses

Roses have a long and colorful history. They have symbols of love, beauty, war and politics. The rose is, according to fossil evidence 35 million years old. In nature, the genus Rosa has some 150 species spread throughout the Northern Hemisphere, from Alaska to Mexico and including northern Africa. Garden cultivation of roses began some 5,000 years ago, probably in China. During the roman period roses were grown extensively in the Middle East. They were used as confetti celebrations, for medicinal purposes, and as a source of perfume. During the 15^th century, the rose was used as a symbol for the factions fighting to control England. The white rose symbolized York, and the red rose symbolized Lancaster, as a result, the conflict became known as the “War of the Roses.” In the 17th century that royalty considered roses or rose water as legal tender, and they were often used as barter and for payments.