Category: Rose Lore
The Stories Behind the Stems: Omar Khayyam
Some roses arrive with pedigrees; others arrive with prophecies. The Damask rose known as ‘Rosa Omar Khayyam’ carries both—its name bound not merely to a man, but to a verse, a translation, a grave, and the quiet fall of blossoms across centuries.
The Stories Behind the Stems: La Belle Sultane
Many roses are aptly named for their striking colour, bewitching scent, or in eponymous honour of the breeder of their variety. However, roses are occasionally named for a singular event, an intriguing affiliation, or an irresistible character, and these invariably come with a story. Tales of mystery, heroics, and invention often accompany some of our…
The Empire of Petals: Rome and Roses
Beyond the marble and stone, Rome was an empire of scent. Discover the real roses of antiquity—from the sturdy Gallica to the legendary twice-blooming Rose of Paestum—and the decadent culture that craved them.
The Myth and Reality of the Wars of the Roses
England’s civil war wasn’t fought for flowers. Discover the true battlefield symbols, the real botany of York and Lancaster, and the invented emblem that finally united a fractured kingdom.
How Josephine Bonaparte Conquered the World with Roses
While Napoleon conquered Europe, Empress Josephine conquered the rose. Discover how her garden at Malmaison defied naval blockades to become the scientific powerhouse that birthed the modern rose industry
The Desi Gulab: A Tale of Three Roses
The “Desi” (native) rose isn’t entirely native. Discover the true identity of the Desi Gulab—a fascinating trio of roses including an Austrian import—and how they became the scent, flavor, and soul of the subcontinent.
Five Historic Roses to Enchant Your Garden
For many gardeners, the true magic of roses lies not only in their blooms, but in the stories they bring to their borders and beds. Beyond colour, beyond fragrance, there are cultivars whose petals are steeped in history, each one a living thread connecting us to the hands, landscapes, and times that shaped them.