Guest Author - Charity Armstrong

How roses came to be loved and grown in popularity throughout the world and the United States is a topic that interests many avid rose gardeners. My previous article, “The History of the Rose,” discussed how roses came to be spread and cultivated throughout Europe; this article will focus on rose history in the United States. Many gardeners aren’t aware that there are actually roses which are native to the United States itself.

Scientists now know that thirty five to forty million years ago roses were growing in Colorado, Montana and Oregon. Fossils have been found in these states dating roses to this period. The Native American Indians even grew roses. The American Indians found that roses had a variety of purposes, from beautifying the landscape to the vitamin C that was found in rose hips.

If you’re looking for a traditional rose that was hybridized in America Noisette roses are an excellent choice. Noisettes were the first roses developed in America around 1812. Most Noisette roses are hardy and disease resistant, making them an excellent choice for the home gardener.

Aside from roses that were indigenous and hybridized in the United States roses were brought into the country by explorers and the colonists themselves. These roses were of all varieties from Rugosas to Tea roses. The transport of roses around the world helped in time to create new varieties. As the colonists spread west across the United States they brought their roses with them. Many rose plants were moved across the country in covered wagons with families relocating during this period.

Roses that have been in the United States since colonial times, and were transported across the country by pioneers are often referred to as Heritage Roses. There are organizations that locate and preserve Heritage Roses so they can be grown for future generations. One excellent place to look for information is http://www.heritagerosefoundation.org. A bit of research and some on-line ordering can help you find the perfect Heritage Rose for your own garden. After all the rose is America’s national flower.

Around the early 1800’s roses were being exported from France to the United States. Rose gardeners in more temperate sections of the United States loved the new varieties of roses France had to offer. The new tea roses shipped to the United States offered lots of new choices in color, plant growth and bloom size. Eventually rose growers in the United States developed their own hybrids and varieties.

The world of rose gardening isn’t at a loss for new varieties. Often Old World or Heritage Roses seem less exciting. This is simply not the case. Many of these "antique" roses offer beautiful fragrance and unique blooms. Why not select one for your garden today?