July is a time of high summer (usually!) and one of the joys of this month is the glory of the rose. Both cultivated and in the wild they bring colour, fragrance and a sense of sheer exuberance and celebration.
A fossil of a rose found in Colorado suggested to archaeologists that roses have existed for over 35 million years. Roses are renowned for their resilience – the world’s oldest living rose is believed to be 1,000 years old. Growing on the wall of the cathedral of Hildesheim in Germany its existence has been documented since AD815. Legend has it that the rosebush symbolizes the prosperity of Hildesheim; as long as it flourishes, so will Hildesheim. In 1945 allied bombers destroyed the cathedral, yet the bush survived. Its roots remained intact beneath the debris, and soon the bush was growing strong again.
As well as their beauty, fragrance and powers to soothe mental health issues after flowering roses bear hips and these are rich in Vitamin C. Childhood memories of jars of rose hip syrup may well spring to mind – a daily dose was recommended as a way of getting sufficient vitamins.
Who knew that as well as being internationally renowned roses are also space travellers? In early space research the miniature rose ‘Overnight Scentsation’ was sent into space as part of research into how low gravity affected a rose’s scent. It’s good to imagine and hope that early settlers on Mars might well grow these beautiful plants…
Red roses are well known as symbols of love but other colours have significance too. Pink roses represent admiration and grace; yellow roses bring joy and cheer; white represents purity and innocence, and orange roses are harbingers of energy and zest for life.
Whatever your own preference, I hope you can enjoy and revel in this wonderful season of roses.