Apothecary Rose a rare, noteworthy find in new home’s garden | Living

Q. I recently moved to a house with an interesting garden in the yard. Many of the plants I know, but I found a plant overrun by weeds called gallic rose.

Is it worth saving this plant?

HA. I would not remove any plant from a garden without knowing more about the plant and how it looks and behaves. As it turns out, this rose could be much more valuable, rare and interesting than it seems.

Rosa gallica – French rose or apothecary rose – is one of the first species of rose to be cultivated in central Europe. Native to Persia, it is a common ancestor of many modern roses later developed by plant breeders.

The ancient Romans consumed the petals as food and marinated them in wine to use as a hangover cure. In ancient Greece and Rome, citizens considered this flower sacred and would display it during important celebrations. Crusaders brought this rose to Europe.

It was a common rose in monastery gardens because of its many medicinal qualities. Fragrant flowers were used in potpourris and perfumes. The flowers were also rolled into pearls and used in rosaries in the time of Napoleon. In the Middle Ages, flowers were used to treat depression. French pharmacists grew it in pots at the entrances of their shops, which is why the flower was given the common name Apothecary Rose.

The Apothecary Rose eventually made its way to England, where it has a rich history. The flower was adopted by the House of Lancaster as their symbol, while their rivals, the House of York, had a white rose as their symbol. This struggle for power became known as the War of the Roses. Henry Tudor (Henry VII), the final winner, combined the two roses to develop the Tudor Rose.

Rosa mundi, a type of apothecary Rose with red and white stripes, is named after Fair Rosamond, the mistress of Henry II. According to legend, Rosamond was murdered by Henry’s jealous wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine, using a poison that was added to an oil made by the Rose Apothecary. The stripes on rosa mundi represent the two roses. You can also buy this rose online.

Rosa gallica has flowers that are bright pink. The centers of the flowers are golden yellow, and they bloom only once in the spring. The flowers are followed by large drooping orange or brown flowers that are often made of jelly. The hips are an excellent source of vitamin C.

The rose is hardy to USDA Zone 4 (Allen County is in zones 5b and 6a), and the plant usually reaches a height of about 3 feet. It is an excellent choice for a perennial garden, grass or cottage, but it is very difficult to find anywhere in the trades. I know, I tried.

Apothecary Rose shines in a garden because it just doesn’t look like the modern roses you see in a typical garden. I like flowers that have a story that can be talked about with the visitors of your garden.

The Plant Doctor, written by Ricky Kemery, appears every other week. Kemery retired as a horticulture extension educator with the Allen County Purdue Extension Service. To submit an inquiry, please email Corey McMaken cmcmaken@jg.net.