Herbal Fact Sheet; Roses

Herb Profile: Roses

Overview: Roses are a deciduous shrub with woody, stems which usually have thorns. Many variety of roses are available as there are over 200 species and 10,000 cultivars to choose from. Roses are most commonly grown for their ornamental, often fragrant, flowers. Certain varieties produce an abundance of rose hips.

Common Name: Rose

Latin name: Rosa spp.

Quote: “In many minds, the use of ROSES in cuisine is a gastronomic conceit, on par perhaps with the use of crystallized violets, Nonetheless, roses have played a part in cuisine for centuries.” Craig Claiborne; An Herb & Spice Cook Book (Bantam Books, 1965)

Zones: Hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 4-8. Can be grown in almost any zone if the proper conditions are met.

Mature Size: Varies from less than 2 feet to over 20 feet.

Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade.

Soil: Grow in well-drained, moist soil.

• Varieties of Interest :
  R. canina – dog rose or brier rose. Single, flat flowers which are white or white tinged with a bit of pink. Produces an abundant number of hips.
• R. rugosa – rugosa rose, another good variety to grow for its abundant hips.
• R. eglanteria – eglantine or sweet brier rose. Single pink flowers and abundant red, rose hips.
• R. villosa – apple rose, this rose has apple-scented leaves and produces abundant rose hips.
• R. gallica var. officinalis – apothecary’s rose. Fragrant, semi-double, bright-pink blooms.
• R. centifolia – cabbage or Provence rose, very fragrant petals.
• R. damascena – damask rose, very fragrant petals

Growing Tips: Shrub roses make wonderful backdrop plants in the herb garden. Climbing roses make decorative accents when trained over an arbor or pergola. Many varieties, especially miniature roses, can successfully be grown in containers.

Starting New Plants: New rose plants can be started from seeds or cuttings.
Maintenance Tips: Prune out damaged or crowded branches as needed. Watch out for aphids, which can be knocked off with a blast of water. Roses are also susceptible to rust, blackspot and mildew. Cut off flowers after they have bloomed so the plant will continue to produce flowers. However, rose hips, which are the fruit of the rose, will only develop if the flowers are left on the plant.

Parts Used: Rose hips are collected in the fall, when they are fully ripened. Petals can be harvested anytime the plant is in bloom, typically from May until the first frost.

Medicinal, Culinary and Aromatic Uses: Rose hips are high in vitamin C and also contain calcium, phosphorus and iron. Rose hip syrup is used to treat coughs and colds. Rose essential oil, which is extracted from the petals, has been used to treat depression and anxiety. Aromatic rose water is used in a variety of aromatherapy products and in certain culinary dishes. Both the hips and petals can be made into a variety of jams, jellies and preserves. The petals can be crystallized and used as a garnish on top of wedding cakes. The dried petals and hips can be used in potpourri, wreaths and dried flower arrangements.

Take care,
Lynn Smythe of The Creative Cottage

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