Regally Roses!

Quick! Name a flower!

Say that to most people and the response will probably be "Rose."

Roses have always been at the top of the list of favorite flowers. Their popularity is evidenced by all the roses that are sent to sweethearts and mothers on special holidays. Roses have always symbolized love and passion.

Roses are also among the oldest of plants. Rose seeds were found in the tombs of Egyptian pharaohs. The Chinese have grown roses from prehistory.

The word "rose" comes from the Latin "rosa," meaning "red." The Persian word for rose is "gul," which means "flower." Early Greeks associated roses with the blood of Aphrodite's beloved Adonis. The Romans used roses for feasts and orgies. The rose then became a Christian symbol of Christ's blood and crown of thorns.

Early roses in Europe were usually red or white and bloomed once a year. Yellow roses were introduced from Persia in the 16th century. Chinese roses which bloom continually came to Europe in the 18th century. These are commonly known as tea roses -- perhaps because they were protected in boxes along with shipments of tea because they were not hardy enough to be grown outside until crossed with other varieties.

Roses were probably the first of plants to be cultivated. And thanks to hundreds of years ofcultivation, today we have thousands of varieties to choose from. Many of those available at Lavalette Garden Center can be found on our rose list.

Lavalette's "rose house" is ablaze in color now. Stop by and see which blooms would look good in your garden. Whether you prefer shrub rosesor climbers, you can find them in shades of red,pink, white and yellow. Some newer varieties have flowers with touches of all these colors.