National Rose Month

June is the month of the rose and there is a good reason as rose lovers most likely know. The blooming of the roses begins in June!

You can find over 150 varieties of roses in the United States and Canada. They have been so popular for their scent and beauty that in 1986 President Ronald Reagan made it the official flower of the United States.

Did you know that the rose is actually an ancient flower found in Asia and the Orient centuries ago?  Napoleon’s wife Josephine was a huge rose lover.  Their chateau in Malmaison outside of Paris had over 250 varieties of roses in the gardens.  

You’ll see references to the rose in poetry, music, religion, medicine, art and perfume. There are even edible roses.

The American Rose Society was established in 1892 with the goal of promoting the culture, preservation and appreciation for the rose. You can visit them at https://www.rose.org/.

The Society has actually classified roses into two categories. One is the old roses cultivated before 1867.  Likewise, the other category is the modern roses for any that came after mainly because that is the date of the hybrid tea rose.

The hybrid tea rose is very popular today.  They are a cross between hybrid perpetual roses and tea roses.  You know them by their large, high buds and tall, straight stems.  These are very easy to find to plant or to buy.

Likewise, if you are getting married and you want a bouquet of roses there are a few options from both old and new roses. 

• Old garden roses are perfect if you’re looking for a strong scent and large bloom.  
• Modern garden roses are mainly grown in greenhouses but you can choose from a wide variety of colors.
• Sweetheart roses are great for corsages and flower girls as they are smaller.
• Spray roses are smaller but they come in clusters.  These are good paired with other flowers.

Private Home Health Care hopes that now and throughout the summer you will take some time to smell the roses!  They really are beautiful.