June Birth Flowers - The rose a symbol of love, beauty, and affection

Did you know that if you are a June baby your birth flowers are the Rose and Honeysuckle. Roses are among the most recognizable flowers, often given as a sign of affection because they have long been a symbol of love. The honeysuckle, with its tubular flowers, is a magnet for hummingbirds and represents happiness and positive energy.

This post is about the Rose...

The rose family (Rosaceae) is made up of more than 100 species of perennial flowering shrubs.

The rose has long been a symbol of love, beauty, and affection. Each colour rose holds a different meaning. A red rose means ‘I love you’ and is a sign of romance; pink represents happiness and admiration; a white rose symbolizes innocence and purity; orange means desire and excitement; and yellow represents cheer and happiness, although some folklore considered it to mean jealousy. A red and white rose paired together has come to symbolize unity.

The Romans viewed roses as a representation of death and rebirth, often planting them at the graves of loved ones.

Roses in History

• In Colorado, fossil evidence in the form of rose leaves suggests that plants in the rose family date back at least 35 million years.
• It is estimated that the cultivation of garden roses dates back 5,000 years, beginning in China.
• It is believed that the oldest living rose is about 1,000 years old. Located at Hildesheim Cathedral in Hildesheim, Germany, the roots of the rose even survived when the cathedral was bombed during the Second World War.
• During the Roman period, the Middle East was a popular growing location for roses. The petals were used as confetti for celebrations, with the Roman emperor Nero staging rose feasts. Rose petals were also used to scent rooms, for medicinal use, and for perfume fragrance.
• It is said that Cleopatra filled a room more than a foot deep with rose petals in an effort to win over Mark Antony.
• The rose was a symbol of war fought between the houses of York and Lancaster for the English throne in the 15th century. The white rose was synonymous with York, while the red rose represented Lancaster. The conflict between the two became known as the “War of the Roses.”
• During the 17th century, roses were seen as a form of legal tender and used to barter and for payments.
• French botanical painter Pierre Joseph Redouté created his Les Roses series in the garden of Château de Malmaison, located just outside Paris, France.
• In 1892, the American Rose Society was established “to promote the culture, preservation, and appreciation of the Rose.”
• Roses at the White House date back to John Adams’ presidency, but the official launch of the Rose Garden was directed by Ellen Wilson, the wife of 28th President Woodrow Wilson. In 1961, John F. Kennedy had the Rose Garden redesigned as an outdoor venue for receptions.
• The rose is the National Floral Emblem of the United States.
• In Italy, roses are celebrated in May, which some refer to as “the month of the rose.”
• Rose oil has been used for medicinal purposes dating back to ancient China.
• It is used in skin care, most notably for dry and sensitive skin. Other uses include: as a mild sedative, as an antidepressant, and for stress conditions.
• Rose petals are brewed for teas and can be used to make potpourri.

I hope you enjoyed this post. One about the month of June's other birth flower Honeysuckle will follow shortly. Do you have any Roses growing in your garden?

Please be aware, you will find a variety of articles and recipe ideas within this blog, not all may be suitable for you. If you may have any food allergies, or underlying health issues these must always be taken into account. If you are a diabetic and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e., use your meter. If you have any concerns about your health, it is always advisable to consult your doctor or health care team.

All the best Jan