That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet – William Shakespeare
These perennial flowering plants come in over one hundred species and thousands of hybrids and variations.
As breeders have perfected the rose, they have bestowed these colorful garden and cut flower beauties with names that honor some very famous folks. The “Diana” is named after the Princess of Wales, and she has had a number of roses named for her.
There are also variations like the Claude Monet and the Amadeus. The Caesar and the Elizabeth Taylor live together side by side in the garden, too.
The first rose to be named was the Dorothy Perkins after the grower’s granddaughter in the 1800s in the United States. The Perkins family is still a huge grower of roses.
Rose is a French word that was borrowed from the Latin word rosa that was borrowed from a Greek word that was borrowed from an Old Persian word that was borrowed from … well, you get the idea. It is thought to have come from the Parthian word wâr.
The rose has a small berry known as the rose hip that has almost been eliminated from the cultivated flowers because it takes up room on the bud, and today’s growers want to pack the petals in as tightly as possible. The hip is rich in Vitamin C and the richest of all plant sources. Thrushes and waxwings love the hips, and their droppings help cultivate the wild roses. Rose hips are used in jams and jellies.
The thorns are not true thorns so much as they are considered prickles and are there to aid the rose in its ability to climb over other plants by giving it a way to hold onto them as it vines. The prickles also help keep them from being eaten by animals except for deer who apparently have no problem munching on petals and thorns.
Roses have been cultivated in all civilizations and have been seen in art as far back as the ancient Babylonians. Egyptian tombs have had rose paintings buried within them, and there are records dating back to 500 B.C. of Greek and Chinese gardens being populated with roses.
The breeding of roses begun in the 17th century in Europe with the introduction of the Chinese rose. Empress Josephine of France was a big breeder of roses in the 19th century.
The rose is one of the most popular garden shrubs worldwide, and the rose is available in a variety of colors with the exception of blue. There is no blue pigment in the rose family that would allow breeders to capture a true blue or purple flower. Breeders have introduced dyes into the flowers that offer a blue tint, and with genetic modification, breeders are working on a GMO blue rose.
The rose is a perfect cut flower and the fragrance is found in perfumes and soaps. One long stem red rose is the universal symbol for “I love you”.
You will find the rose used symbolically throughout history.
This blooming beauty was found in the garden of Sarah Winchester of the Winchester rifle fame. (Now a new movie featuring Helen Mirren.) I went through the house; it wasn’t that creepy. It was rather sad. Sarah’s brain did all of her haunting. photo ©jcleveland
While a rose may not come in blue or purple, many of these handmade gift ideas for Mother’s Day do. Shop now or forever lose the chance to buy some unique, one of a kind pieces.
Lovely Lavender Bunny Hand Knitted Dish Cloth or Wash Cloth
Crocheted Toddler Sweater Lilac Cotton Yarn, Headband, Easter, Spring 4T
Lavender Heart Beaded with Plum Purple 3D Roses
Purple Swarovski Pink Beaded Dangle Women's Earrings
Purple Violets in Green Vase
Purple Swarovski Crystal Earrings
Purple Easter Bunny Spring Dog Scrunchie Neck Ruffle
Lampwork Beads EDP Premium Purple Handmade Glass Etched Opaque 254e
Czech Serpentine Cobalt Blue, Turquoise and Gray Black Agate Necklace
Midnight Rainbow Dichroic Fused Glass Dangle Earrings
Pearl Gemstone Necklace
Tudor Cross Necklace
Purple Mosaic Necklace
Necklaces for Women
Amethyst Spike Necklace and Earrings Set
MILITARY TRUMPETS SOUNDING FOR FALLEN SOLDIER CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT
Amethyst Gemstone Nugget White Freshwater Pearl Long Necklace 41 Inch
Vintage Violet Amethyst Brass Drop Earrings
Hope that you enjoyed these gorgeous creations. If you do not see what you are looking for, contact any of the above artists, and I am sure that they will be more than happy to create something just for you.
If you want to see more, here are some more links:
And even more!
Enjoy, and share this blog post and all of these handmade items with your friends and family! We handmade artists always appreciate a good share.
Julie
www.bluemorningexpressions.com
As always, a very interesting read, Julie. To tell the truth, roses have never been a favorite of mine because of their smell - and that was because of my sister marinating herself in "oil of roses" when we were in high school. I have a very sensitive sense of smell . . . so UGH! It hasn't been until recently that I have begun to sniff roses again . . . and actually enjoy it. I prefer and grow the "almost wilds" myself, but do enjoy a beautiful rose garden - if the scents are not overpowering - LOL!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful collection of handmade beauties in lavenders and blues. Many thanks for including my Tudor cross necklace in the mix. As always, will share the post everywhere and pin and tweet each item. Thanks again for all you do to promote.
Thanks so much for including Penny and our purple bunny pet scrunchie in this week's post!
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed reading about roses and rosehips - I had climbing roses in my garden for a while, but couldn't keep up with the aphids, even with organic treatments. Unfortunately, the deer also liked them too much, so they had to go.
Lovely collection of beautiful floral inspirations! Shared.
ReplyDeleteI loved reading about the history of Roses, my favorite flowers. I always use Perkin's roses - now I know their history. As I have loved "rose hip" tea for years - it was interesting to understand exactly how rose hip was cultivated. Thank you for including my Lilac Sweater in this beautiful Blog of gifts!
ReplyDeleteSo many different shades of handmade purple items and all so pretty! Thank you for including my purple magnesite necklace. Pinned to Pinterest, sharing blog on FB.
ReplyDeleteHey Julie...this week's collection is so beautiful. Lovely shades of purple. I love the story on the roses. I have huge American beauty roses in front and the perfume is outstanding. Thank you for a very interesting weekly post.
ReplyDeleteSo interesting! I love roses, especially anything directly from a backyard garden - "garden roses." Their scent is like paradise. :) Also, thanks for the wonderful promo of handmade, and for including my amethyst and pearl necklace. Will be sharing the blog to Twitter, Pinterest, and G+, and will be pinning each beautiful item. xoxo from me and Le Gonze! :)
ReplyDeleteRoses are so beautiful. I didn't know how old they were. Interesting. Thanks for sharing all these wondeful handmade gift ideas and my amethyst necklace. Pinned all the items and will share on G+.
ReplyDeleteThanks Julie for sharing the information about roses. I love to grow roses. I have a purple blue rose bush in my yard that the neighbors all talk about...red and peach colors also.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing my earrings and all these wonderful handmade goodies. Off to share !
Thank you Julie, beautiful selection of purple, shared!
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed learning a little history about the rose. Thanks for including my lampwork beads in your beauutiful collection of handmade goodness.
ReplyDeleteHi Julie, I'm just curious how everyone in our lovely group is being informed of your new blog posts? I missed this one because I wasn't aware of it. Do you notify everyone when it's been posted or are we to just check back in a few days? Inquiring minds like to know...hehe Btw omg on that rose pic from the Winchester house...I can't wait to watch the movie!! Thank you so much for sharing my earrings! I am gladly off to share!! :D
ReplyDeleteWhoops...almost overlooked this! Thank you so much Julie for sharing your information about roses. I love roses. My favorite color for them is coral. So many pretty items here in your post of another color that I enjoy, purple or lavender. Sharing all of the handmade items and your post.
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