Roses are some of the most common plants that exist today. Whether you’re looking in a flower store or you see some flowers on TV, roses are bound to be present. They are available in many different varieties and colors. You could send someone a different rose variety daily for over four decades! It’s hard to believe, isn’t it? Be that as it may, roses are much more diverse than you may believe. In fact, there are over 13,000 different varieties that exist.
Of course, a rose is a flowering plant. However, the word “rose” is more commonly used to refer to the flower that appears when the plant blooms. While they are beautiful, they also come armed with thorns, so remember to be careful.
This article is a look at some of the best uses for roses. These include:
- Cut flowers
- Perfume
- Ornamental plants
- Medicine
- Food and drink
Cut Flowers
Cut flowers are amazing for adding a layer of beauty to your space. While these flowers can’t live forever, the touch that they provide is amazing. All you need is a vase filled with water. Of course, there is some maintenance required, since the water needs to be changed at various intervals.
The flower that you choose to place in your vase is based on your preference and the look that you are trying to achieve. Many people opt for roses because of the simple and elegant look that is associated with them.
Roses are common commercial and domestic cut flowers. To this end, they are usually cut when in the bud phase and placed in cold storage. They are then held until they are ready for display ahead of being sold.
Some of these roses are given an extra artistic touch in color with dyed water.
Perfume
Perfume is a popular commodity almost anywhere in the world you look. One of the first things that sticks out to someone is the way you smell. While a bad smell can result in a horrible impression, a pleasurable smell does just the opposite.
Perfume is usually made from oil, and roses can be a source of the oil that is needed. This is the reason that some manufacturers use roses for their perfumes. The oil is sometimes called “attar of roses.” Obtaining the oil requires the crushing of rose petals. The crushed petals are then put through a steam distilling process.
The oil is not the only product derived, as you can also get rose water. People use rose water for religious practices, cosmetics, and cooking.
Rose oil can be yellow-grey or pale yellow. It takes approximately two thousand roses to yield one gram of oil.
Ornamental Plants
Most ornamental roses are not pure plants. In fact, most of these roses are hybrids that were initially bred for the beautiful flowers that they can provide. In fact, some of them were grown for their scent and their beauty.
Cultivation of ornamental roses is no new practice. This has been happening for millennia. The first recorded cultivations took place around 500 BC. These were done in China, Persia, and Mediterranean countries.
There are more rose hybrids than one can count, which are being used as garden-beautifying, flowering plants. Many of them are double-flowered, and their stamens mutated into even more petals.
Even royalty got into the mix in the early 19th century. Empress Josephine of France was a huge advocate for rose breeding. She patronized it at her gardens, which were in Malmaison.
There are many different stories throughout history that speak to cultivars and their rose-related exploits.
Medicine
It’s not uncommon to hear that plants are being used in the area of medicine. Though medicinal science has come a long way, there are still many applications of traditional herbal medicine. In fact, some people prefer to use these remedies than anything a pharmacist can prescribe.
The rose hip is an accessory fruit that can be found on many rose plants. Many people are yet to see this fruit. Even those who have seen it are usually unaware of the fact that it contains vitamin C.
Many different species of roses produce many different fruits. These fruits can contain incredible amounts of vitamins. This allows them to be used to great effect in the world of medicine. Some have been used for minor things like stomach issues, while others are believed to have cancer controlling properties.
Much of this took place in earlier days, before modern alternatives became accessible.
Food and Drink
The last area of focus is that of nutrition. When you think about roses, things like food don’t typically come to mind, but you’d be surprised by what you can achieve. Remember the rose hips that were discussed above? All that vitamin C is as good for food as it is for medicine.
It’s not uncommon for roses to be used for the making of tea, soup, jam, and marmalade. Sometimes, they are even used to make a unique syrup.
Rose water, which was also discussed above, is used in the food and beverage world. Its flavor is unique, and it appeals to many people. Middle Eastern, South Asian, and Persian cuisine all feature rose water in various sweets. The petals and flower buds can be used to flavor existing teas or to make their own teas.
France uses rose petals to make rose syrup, which is a concentrated squash.
Summary
Roses are very popular and very beautiful flowers. For these reasons, they are seen all over the place. While they can be used as gifts for various occasions, they are also great for other uses.
The beauty of these flowers makes them excellent cut flowers and ornamental plants. Roses produce an oil that makes them great for perfume production. The areas of medicine and cuisine also benefit from roses.
With over 13,000 known species, it’s no surprise that these flowers are so useful. Hopefully, you’re ready to put some of your new knowledge to use. Maybe you can even create your own use for roses in the future.
