What Are Roses?

Roses are perennial plants that bloom with large, colorful flowers, making it one of the most popular plants in the world. While roses have existed in nature for a very long time, most modern roses were created through a process of hybridization over the last 150 years.

Defining Roses
Roses are a type of shrub or vine that belong to the Rosa plant genus and the Rosaceae plant family. Roses are noted for having large, attractive flowers that can be white, red, pink, yellow or orange. Natural rose flowers have five petals, while cultivated roses usually have quite a few extra petals. Thorns adorn the stems on most varieties.

Types of Roses
Bush roses grow into a large bush that can reach up to 6 feet tall. Climbing roses have long stems that need to attached to a trellis or post. Shrub roses grow vertically and can reach up to 12 feet tall, while ground cover roses grow horizontally over the ground. Species roses are varieties that can be found in the wild. Old garden roses are those varieties that were cultivated before 1867, and modern roses are those that were created after 1867.

The History of Roses
Roses have been around for at least 40 million years. Cultivation of wild roses for gardening purposes began around 5,000 years ago and continued to be popular until around the fall of Rome in the 300s. The plant's popularity rebounded over time, and by the 27th century roses were accepted as a form of payment in noble circles. Roses were cultivated to increase the number of blooms, and the first modern hybrid tea rose was created in 1867.

Naming Roses
Roses are generally referred to by variety name, which is simply a name that the hybridizer gives the rose when it is created. This has led to some confusion, as different parts of the world could wind up with the same rose having multiple names. Since the 1980s, all new roses are given a denomination, which is sometimes called a cultivar name, which includes a three letter code based on the hybridizer and a string of letters. The International Cultivar Registration Authority approves the names and ensures each rose has a unique name.

Source: http://www.ehow.com/info_8001853_roses.html