What is the Apothecary's rose?

By Chelsie Vandaveer

September 24, 2001

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Most cultures of the Northern Hemisphere hold a special reverence for roses (Rosa spp.). They have been handed down through generations and are probably the longest continually cultivated flower in the world. It is believed that the Persians and Chinese were the first rose gardeners and that emperors themselves tended their shrubs. Persian roses were said to have been planted in the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Roses have been used in cuisine, medicine, and worship.

It is probable that Alexander the Great brought the Apothecary's rose to Greece from Persia.
Rosa Gallica Var Officinalis (Pink Gallica Rose)
Photographic Print by Mark Bolton
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It is probable that Alexander the Great brought the Apothecary's rose to Greece from Persia. In Greece, honey of roses was used to treat open wounds. Rose water was used by Cleopatra for her daily bathing. Rose petals were used as seasoning and were candied for Roman banquets. Rose cuisine and rose water became the fad of the wealthy of Rome, so much so, that orchards and vineyards were destroyed to make room for the rose industry.

In The Herbal, Gerard (1633) dedicates 13 pages to the descriptions and medicinal uses of the roses known in Europe. He writes of the virtues of the Apothecary's rose, "The distilled water of roses is good for the strengthening of the heart, and refreshing of the spirits, and likewise for all things that require a gentle cooling. The same being put into junketting (desserts made with sweetened milk) dishes, cakes, sauces, and many other pleasant things, giveth a fine and delectable taste."

Rose hips are naturally high in Vitamin C and scurvy was prevalent disease in Europe prior to the 16th Century. Yet Gerard does not mention the use of rose hips in a medicinal sense, rather he states of wild eglantine roses, "The fruit when it is ripe maketh most pleasant meats and banqueting dishes, as tarts and such like; the making whereof I commit to the cunning cook, and teeth to eat them in the rich man's mouth."

A WOODLAND ROSE GARDEN has excellent photographs of the Apothecary's rose (Rosa gallica officinalis). To view the photographs, click on the link:

http://woodlandrosegarden.com/latest_photos/latest_photos.htm

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Climbing Rose Collection

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Climbing roses are lovely arched over entries, stretched over trellises or twined around pillars. Hybrid teas give you long-stemmed double flowers with lots of velvety petals. Floribunda bloom all summer without pruning, making them ideal for hedges and borders. Shrub roses were bred specifically for cold hardiness and are a real bargain as you seldom need to replace one.

This collection includes each of:

Climbing Blaze Rose Gurney's Choice Famous climber bears wonderfully fragrant, bright red double blooms. Tea-type flowers cover the canes to the tip of the Climbing Blaze Rose and bloom early summer into fall on old and new wood. Climbs 10-20 ft. #1-1/2.

Climbing Blue Girl Rose The gorgeous lavender-blue flowers of the Climbing Blue Girl Rose bloom in late summer on old wood. Blue Girl is exceptionally sweet! Vigorous and dependable, grows 8-10 ft. tall.

Climbing Joseph's Coat Rose Cardinal-red buds have a coral tint, open golden, then gradually turn red again. The Climbing Joseph's Coat Rose climbs 8-10 feet.

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Angel Face Floribunda Rose

Henry Fields Seed and Nursery®

Excellent color and fragrance.

Ruffled bicolored blossoms - lavender with a ruby blush. AARS winner, just 3 ft. high, with rich "old-rose" perfume.

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Springhill Nursery®

New Magic Roses make summer-long beauty appear right before your eyes!

From the rose-growing capital of Europe comes one of the most exciting and beautiful exclusives Spring Hill has ever offered -- the Magic Rose Collection! Their big blooms, compact habit, profuse and extended blooming and versatility make these exclusive Magic Roses a magical spectacle in any garden.

These uniquely beautiful ground cover roses (Rosa "Randilla") were developed by Kordes of Germany, one of the leading breeders and producers of roses in the world.

Each plant grows just 12-16" high with an 8-10" spread, a compact and easy-to-care-for specimen. Although the actual plants are tiny, their blooms are not! By midsummer you will enjoy full-size blooms with petal counts rivaling hybrid tea roses. They bear multiple clusters of large flowers that cover the bush and continue blooming from midsummer through first frost.

Like magic, these compact plants will add charm wherever you plant them. Imagine the impressive display they will make planted in a thick, blooming border or edging a thriving perennial bed, smothered in blooms. Tuck them in containers to create a colorful sensation on patios and decks! Planted as a ground cover, they'll unfold as a magic carpet of continuous color.

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Apricot Princess Rose

Springhill Nursery®

Butterflies are drawn to these sweet-smelling 2" double blooms that deepen from a vivid apricot to coral as they mature. Glossy, dark green foliage on sturdy stems set the stage for these robust roses.

Enjoy blooms for an extended period from midsummer to frost. Creates a lovely border, ground cover, specimen or container planting. Perfect for both fresh and dried arrangements.

Grows just 18-24" tall. Space plants 18-24" apart.

Rosa x ‘Apricot Princess’ Deer Resistant. Zone 4 to 10.

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Red Freedom™ Hedge Rose

Springhill Nursery®

Accent your property with bright scarlet or lovely salmon to rose- pink blooms and lush green foliage. Spring Hill’s Freedom Hedge Roses are the most maintained-free, trouble-free roses ever developed! They have been specially hybridized to resist diseases and insects and to present a profusion of exquisite flowers. Brilliant, fragrant, long-lasting 3 ½” double blooms appear by the hundreds all summer long and into the fall.

Each Hedge rose grows 4-6’ tall and 3’ wide, so they’re perfect fro creating a privacy wall, screening unsightly utilities or controlling foot traffic. Place plants 3’ apart for maximum density as a hedge. 1- year, own root. (Red Freedom Hedge Rose: U.S. Pat. No 7868; Pink: PPAF) Zone 4 - 9.

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Springhill Nursery®

In beauty, form and hue, you will be captivated by the charm of colorful Miniature Roses. Each is a perfect replica of a prized Hybrid Tea Rose – and every bit as easy to grow!

Our Deluxe Mini Roses grow 12 to 36 inches high and 15 to 24 inches wide, with fine, feathery foliage. Blooms are an exquisite 1 to 2 inches in size all summer and into fall – perfect for a dainty bouquet.

Zone 3 to 10.

With each collection you buy, you’ll receive one each of the following 8 varieties:

Toy Clown – Delightful white blossoms with red edges.
Earthquake – Tiny, red and yellow striped flowers.
Orange Honey – Each orange bud opens to display an exciting array of colors from golden honey and orange to pink and red.
Lavender Lace – Each fragrant blossom is smothered with over 50 soft lavender-blue petals.
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Rise 'N' Shine – An abundance of elegant, butter yellow buds open to 1-1/2 to 2 inch high-centered blooms.
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Sugar Plum - Plum-colored buds open to lavender with white at the base of each petal. FREE