America's most well-liked flower is
also one of the very oldest flowers in agriculture. There are over 2,000 unlike
rose varieties to lure us with their history and smell. This is because the
rose, similar to the orchid, cross-breeds readily—a trait exploited first by
nature, and then by horticulturalists. Today, we can want from conservative
favorites, as well as current varieties that are the product of complete propagation
programs right through the world. The rose is a flower with a rich past, and an
moving future. Finding your way through the rose's large extended family can be
both confusing and frightening. Damasks, masks, Gallic’s, licentiates, hybrid perpetual,
Bourbons, hybrid teas, ramblers and climbers—even the most distinguished rosaries
have a difficult time determining which rose is which. Tracing the history of a
particular rose can be a fascinating exploit, but it is hardly an exact
science. The old roses have cross-bred so many times, and so many varieties
have been lost to time, that it is often impossible to uncover the exact
parentage. If you are one of the many who become obsessed by roses, you may
eventually find it important to know the inequality between a Gallic and Bourbon.
But until that point, our advice is not to worry about it. The vital thing is
to select a rose that you find beautiful, and that suits your garden.
