By: Ted W. Mills, ARS Consulting Rosarian and Judge

Back in my Army days during World War II it was always a welcome event when the front-line soldier was given R&R. This meant relief from fighting to enjoy a brief period of rest and relaxation. It was a way to recharge our stamina for the fighting ahead. I will never forget the term R&R. But today, over a half century later, my thoughts of R&R take on a more pleasant attitude. My hobby of growing roses - God's most beautiful flower - enables me to again speak favorably about R&R. This time it means Romance and Roses. As I thought about this title, I couldn't help but reflect on the history of the rose. All through the ages there is no symbol that signifies love with more clarity than does this beautiful flower. Let's talk about it.

It all began in China millions of years ago. Fossils prove that these roses existed back then and surely must have graced the Garden of Eden. Biblical passages refer to the rose and it is easy to surmise that it denotes love in its finest form. From China the rose made its way to the Greek Islands where it was an instant joy for Greek women. A few years later the Roman Empire was blessed with these beautiful flowers. Cleopatra was a great admirer of roses and it is said that her bedroom floors were thick with fragrant rose petals. She loved to walk in ankle-deep carpets of roses.

Like a tidal wave, the popularity of the rose escalated throughout Europe with France being the home of famous rose gardens. It was Princess Josephine - Napoleon's wife - that championed the rose more than any other person during that time. With the means at her beck and call, she sent for new varieties from all over the world. Roses today are descendants of those that graced her garden. It was on to the British Isles that the rose made its next entry. From there the pilgrims brought the plants to America. It is said that the reluctance of wives to join the explorers of the New World dissipated when rose plants accompanied them to America's shores. They wanted a taste of beauty to adorn the wilderness of New England.

Starting with 250 varieties from Princess Josephine's rose garden, today's varieties number in the thousands. In fact, over 80 million people grow roses in the USA and sales of these beautiful flowers is astronomical each Valentine Day with Mothers Day not far behind in numbers sold. That brings me to the first word of my title - Romance.

Cupid's chief ammunition in his arsenal of love darts surely must be roses. When a Romeo seeks to polish adoration for his Juliet, he surely sends her a fragrant bouquet of these flowers. Even in letters, the fragrance of roses is implanted on the stationery so that the courted damsel will know that her lover means business. There is no better way to impress the lady than to send her roses. It's a time-honored lure that has snared many to visit the altar of matrimony. What better way to display affection than to grace the home or office with the "queen of flowers?" Congress, in its proclamation that designated the rose as our national floral emblem, mentioned the part that roses played in demonstrating love. I am sure this fact swayed many to validate the vote for passage. Since roses are grown in all 50 States, it makes them ideal symbols for the entire Country.

Yes, the rose has been with us from the beginning of time. It has not lost its popularity. In fact, the growing number of rosarians attests that it is growing in favor among the populace. Grow them - it's the path to happy experiences and a true and romantic expression of love.