Names:

Rosa spp.

Description:

Roses are a flowering plant in the genus Rosa and the Rosaceae family. The come in varieties of shrubs, climbers, and trailers that have prickly stems and and green glossy leaves. Rose flowers vary in shape and size. Their brilliant colors range from pastel pink, peach, and cream, to vibrant yellow, orange, and red. Many roses are fragrant and produce berry-like fruits called hips, also known as Rose Hips. Roses plants have bee used for medicinal purposes for their anti-inflammatory purposes, antibacterial properties and mood-enhancing properties. Rose petal have been used for culinary purposes such as candied rose petals, syrup, honey, jams, teas, and more. With this beautiful flower having so many uses how can you not fall in love with it. Roses benefit from regular feeding to encourage summer flowering. propagation can be done from stems to grow new plants.

Cultivation:

USDA hardiness 4 (depending on variety)

Light requirements:

Partial to full sun.

Soil requirements:

Rich loose well-draining. Add mulch to help with water retention

Watering:

Regular watering to keep soil moist but not waterlogged,

Parts Used:

petals, rose hips, oil, stems, buds, roots, and bark

Herbal Actions:

Astringent, anti-inflammatory, nervine, antiseptic, antispasmodic, diuretic, antibacterial, anti-viral, mood enhancing

Energetics:

Cooling and drying

Medicinal Uses:

Anti-inflammatory properties that may help with pain. Skin care that may help soothe skin irritation, reduce redness, and antioxidants that could help with skin's healing process. With mood-enhancing properties that may help with depression and stress. Other uses that roses may help with are sore throats, headaches, and infections.

Allies:

Lavender, catmint, lady's mantle, dianthus, and sweet alyssum

Cautions:

Fruit and syrups have been known to cause gastrointestinal upset in RARE cases.