Identifying characteristics:
Roses have been popular plants since antiquity. They were much valued then,
as now, for their blooms, fragrance, and attractive forms. The word "rose"
derives from the Celtic "rhodd" or "rhudd'' (red) or from
the Greek word "rhodon" (rose). 200 distinct species occur today
and there are over 20,000 cultivars. Roses can be identified as belonging
to one of three groups: the cut flower hybrids (contemporary roses); old
garden types; and the species and their variations. Roses are generally
bushes, or sometimes take on a semi-climbing habit by producing very long
canes. The pinnately-compound leaves
are deciduous, or sometimes evergreen in warm climates. Each leaf consists
of 3 to 11 toothed, usually glossy, green leaflets. Leaf-like stipules persist
on the petiole, with short, free points (auricles) at the top of the petiole.
The many-petaled form of many horticultural varieties results from the induced
conversion of stamens to petals. Flowers
are structured on a basic pattern of 5 sepals, 5 petals and a mass of stamens
and pistils in the center. The fruit is
a fleshy, red or orange "hip" containing many bony achenes with
solitary seeds. Rosa rugosa bears the largest fruits, up to 1 inch
in diameter. The attractive rose hips often persist on the bush for a long
period and are excellent sources of vitamin C. Double flowers usually do
not produce fruit. The stems are usually armed with prickles,
often with a large pair below each node. The "thorniness" of roses
increases their use as barrier plants in landscaping.
Similar species:
Ecology:
Distribution: Mostly native to the Northern Hemisphere, the limits
of various species' range is, however, difficult to establish because the
species so readily hybridize and have been so widely planted.
Habitat: Roses prefer the fullest amount of sun, but will tolerate some light shade. They generally require fertile, well-drained soil that is neither too acid nor too alkaline. Powdery mildew, black spot and canker are the most serious diseases, but thrips, Japanese beetles, deer browsing, rose rosette virus and cold also challenge the rose grower. Although roses are notorious for their susceptibility to insect pests and diseases, few infestations or infections are unmanageable with prompt attention.
Uses:
Wildlife: Rose petals and fruit are used in preserves, rose hips
may be used in soups and rose water is used in the cosmetic industry. Rose
hips are eaten by migrating birds and used as winter food by songbirds like
the mockingbird and robin, and gamebirds like the pheasant. Rabbits feed
on the shoots and bark, and the meadow vole often eat the bark in late winter
and early spring. Wild roses form thickets used as nesting sites for small
mammals and birds.
Horticulture: Roses are used in landscaping as specimens, masses, screens, ground cover and hedges. The wild rose species are the easiest to cultivate, growing in most moist soils (except wet, acid soil) and require little pruning once established. The prairie rose (R. setigera) is native from Ontario to Nebraska, Texas and Florida. It is a rampant grower, not recommended for the small yard, but is useful in difficult areas, bearing almost scentless, single, pink (fading to white) blooms. The salt-spray rose (R. rugosa) is native to northern China, Korea and Japan and has escaped cultivation in northeastern US, growing there along sandy shores. This is one of the most trouble-free roses and bears rose-purple to white flowers. The pale pink Japanese rose (R. multiflora) was introduced in 1868 and has escaped cultivation. Tolerant of dry, heavy soils, it is used for conservation purposes as cover for birds and small mammals, but reproduces from seed and becomes a problematic invader.
