Plant spotlight - Roses!
What makes a rose so alluring?
Do we see ourselves as related to roses in sacred geometry? The delicate 5 pointed petals of native roses may remind us of the fingers on our hand or of DaVinci’s 5 pointed Vitruvian man. Or maybe it is the sultry soft petals and heady scent. I love how good they are at setting boundaries; strength with beauty! We have been using roses as garlands, crowns, and offerings to honor leaders, gods and goddesses, victors, and celebrate rites of passage for as long as we can remember. Rosary beads and other prayer beads have been created using dried and mashed rose petals to “worry” as prayers.
Wild roses can be found in many temperate climates, mostly in the northern hemisphere. They were originally found primarily in Asia, but also in Europe, Africa and North America. However, because humans have been hybridizing roses since Roman times (at least) and roses are very hardy and good at naturalizing, determining which roses are the original wild varieties and which are the result of our love affair with them, is very difficult. Historians have recorded details about the rose gardens of ancient rulers who collected and hybridized roses from around their conquered lands. We have been enamored for a long time!
In general, roses are relatively easy to care for in the garden. Plants purchased from a nursery can be planted with some compost and mulch and will require frequent watering until well established. It is a good idea to winter water on a warm day if we have not had significant moisture for several weeks. You can also propagate your own roses through cuttings or seeds. In order to get a rose that is true to type you must use a cutting or learn to graft onto a rootstock. If you have a favorite rose that does well in your garden or a friend's garden this is a great way to create new plants. If you are feeling adventurous, try starting rose plants from seeds that have been collected from rose hips. These will produce new hybrid roses and you may just develop a new favorite!
Roses appreciate having their roots covered in thick mulch over the winter to provide insulation and moisture retention. Remember to pull the extra mulch back in the spring leaving a thinner covering during the growing season to encourage better air flow. Established plants will require yearly pruning (best done in early spring) to remove old, dead wood and encourage flowering. It is usually best not to remove more than ⅔ of the total plant, although often, even roses that have died down to the root will come back from the ground in the spring. To encourage repeat blooming, spent roses can be pruned throughout the growing season, although you may wish to leave some spent roses on the plant to allow the beautiful rose hips to develop. These are a source of vitamin C and other antioxidants for both humans and animals over the winter.
Every part of a rose is edible and medicinal. Native cultures around the world have been using roses to treat ailments and illnesses for centuries. Roses are said to be anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, Rose petals are high in vitamin C and iron. They are full of bioflavanoids which means they help with circulation and tonify the cardiovascular system. A good way to begin to incorporate roses into your diet is collecting the petals and hips to make tea. ONLY use roses that you know are not sprayed with any kind of chemical! It is also best not to collect roses that are near busy roads. The petals can be used fresh or can be dried for later use. Try eating the petals fresh - adding to sandwiches or salads.
According to Kami McBride: “Roses are known for their ability to nourish the heart and lift the spirit. They are soothing, calming and help to regulate menstruation. Rose petals are also cooling and can be put in teas and drinks when you feel overheated.”
To begin, collect the petals from any unsprayed rose that is slightly past its prime throughout the summer growing season. Take an evening walk through your garden with a basket and collect a beautiful and fragrant bounty of petals. Use some fresh and dry the rest for use in winter to remember the beauty of summer!
Rose hips must be left to develop on the plant after the rose has faded. The hips will ripen to an orange or red (sometimes pinkish) hue. They can be collected and used fresh and whole in tea or dried whole for later use. They can also be harvested in mid-winter if the birds have not collected them all first. Do not open the hip unless you want to scoop out the seeds; there are thorn-like hairs around the seeds that are not very nice to eat or drink. There are many recipes using roses: jellies, cordials, tinctures, face creams, hydrosols. So many possibilities! Here we will include an adapted recipe from Kami McBride for rose petal (& rose hip) tea:
Ingredients
2 cups water
2 tbsp fresh or dried rose petals
2 tsp. dried rose hips
Instructions
Put rose petals, hips and water into a pot.
Turn the stove on low for ten minutes with the lid on the pot.
Turn off the heat and let sit for one half hour.
Strain the petals from the water and you now have rose tea!
Add the tea to some lemonade, soda water or just add a little honey to the tea to sweeten it.
ENJOY!
-Lisa