The perfect rose of June

As with other months, June has two flowers associated with it, the rose and the honeysuckle. Both are associated with love. Honeysuckle relates to the bonds of everlasting love. Roses have many meanings associated with the different colours. Red for love, pink for perfect happiness, white for purity and also innocence. Yellow rose indicates jealousy or a decrease in love. Single flowers given amplify the meaning.

Of about 100 species of roses worldwide, many thousands of hybrids and cultivars have arisen or been created. Hybrids can occur naturally although most have been created by plant breeders. Cultivars or cultivated varieties, only occur as nursery stock. Roses have been bred for their beautiful five petalled flowers for a millenium. Breeders have created blooms with multiple colours, multi-lobed petals, scented foliage, ornamental prickles and fragrance. The fruit of some is also candied or cooked into jams and jellies.

Attar of rose or rose oil is highly prized in cosmetics and perfume industires. Rose water may be used in cooking.

Roses are symbolic in many cultures. One would be hard-pressed to find someone who does not know the general appearance of ‘rose’.

In Nova Scotia, we have several naturally occurring species and a couple of introduced and invasive species. The Common Wild Rose (Rosa virginiana) and Marsh Rose (Rosa palustris) are widespread shrubs. The ornamental Multiflora Rose is becoming invasive, spreading from cultivated material and displacing native vegetation. Rough Rose or Rosa rugosa, a colonial and clonal species, was once used as rootstock in the nursery trade. This native of Europe has now spread along our coasts creating dense patches of bristly shrubs. Neither should be planted unless their spread can be controlled. This is difficult as birds favour the fruit.

Wild Honeysuckle, photo by Martin Thomas

100 year old language of flowers postcard on the rose.

Common Wild Rose, by Martin Thomas
Multiflora Rose, by Martin Thomas
White Rough Rose, Rosa rugosa, by Martin Thomas