2012 HERB OF THE YEAR

ROSE
Rosa species

The rose has been chosen “Herb of the Year” for 2012 by the International Herb Association. The IHA is a professional trade association providing educational, service and development opportunities for those involved in herbal endeavors. The Herb of the Year is chosen based on being outstanding in at least two of the three major categories: medicinal, culinary, or decorative.

Thought to have originated in Persia, this “Queen of Flowers” is prized for its romantic fragrance and its ability to lift the spirits.  The ancient Egyptians left crocks of roses in the tombs of their kings so that they would be fragrant throughout eternity, the Romans cultivated roses and used a ground rose petal paste to make the first rosaries, and even in this country rose bushes have been used and enjoyed from the American Indians to the President’s White House rose garden.  Today there are more than 200 species and 20,000 hybrid roses and they possibly are the oldest plant known to man still in cultivation.

There are several types of roses to choose from to suit particular needs.  The species roses, for example R. rugosa, are the wild roses which are the ancestors of all modern roses and produce the largest rosehips.  Old Garden Roses, for example damask & cabbage roses, have been cultivated since 1867 and are some of the most fragrant.  Climbing and Rambling roses grow along banks and on trellises and arbors.  Antique Shrub Roses are the least demanding and grow in a variety of soils.  Floribundas are a group of modern roses with many blooms per stem and are less prone to disease.   Grandifloras were developed in the 50’s to produce large and abundant blooms.  Hybrids Tea Roses, also known as florist roses, are long-stemmed but the most difficult to grow.  Finally, if space is a premium, Miniature Roses can be grown in containers, as edging or even indoors.  All the roses require more attention than other flowers but provide good sunlight, good drainage, the right amount of water in the morning and regular feeding and you will be rewarded by this symbol of love and beauty.

Rose petals gathered before they are fully open have a myriad of uses.  Remove the bitter white part at the base of each petal and they can be used for butters, syrups, jellies, vinegars, tea cakes and desserts as well as garnishes fresh for salads or candied for pastries.  The more fragrant the flower the more flavor in the petals.  Rose petals can also be used to make homemade rose water which is both cleansing and astringent and is good for most skin types or rose oil which can be used in the bath to create a feeling of well being and happiness.  Damask roses cultivated in Bulgaria produce the best quality and the most expensive oil which is used commercially in a wide range of cosmetics.  Rose petals and buds can also add color and their unique fragrance to potpourris when they are dried quickly. 

GARDEN TIPS
Give your roses a treat
by burying a banana skin in the soil -
its potassium acts as a tonic for the plant

Aphids are less likely to attack a rose garden
 with chives mixed in

ROSE PETAL POUND CAKE
2c sugar                                                                                
9 eggs
2c butter                                                                               
1tsp vanilla
4c flour                                                                                 
1/2tsp salt
1/2tsp cream of tartar                                                        
4tsp rose water
7tsp rose petals

            Cream sugar and butter.  Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition.  Add vanilla.  Combine flour, cream of tartar & salt, then slowly add to creamed mixture until completely blended.  Stir in rose water (petals steeped in boiling water for 10-15 mins.) and additional rose petals.  Pour into greased and floured bundt pan.  Bake at 350 for approximately 1 hour.

NOTE: Make sure the rose petals you use have not been treated with chemicals – always use ones you have grown yourself or purchase dried organic rose petals.

 

". . . I have given you all things even as the green herbs."
Genesis 9:3