People have been passionate about roses since ancient times. It is said that Cleopatra's palace floors were carpeted with delicate rose petals, and Confucius himself maintained a library of 600 books on rose care.
The rose is steeped in legend. One Roman tale tells of Rhodanthe, a maiden of extraordinary beauty relentlessly pursued by zealous suitors. Seeking refuge in the temple of her friend Diana, she met a tragic fate when a jealous Diana, angered by the suitors' intrusion, transformed Rhodanthe into a rose and her pursuers into thorns.
In Greek mythology, the rose was created by Chloris, the flower goddess. She found a lifeless nymph's seed and enlisted the help of other deities: Aphrodite bestowed beauty, Dionysus added sweet nectar, and the three Graces gave charm, brightness, and joy. Zephyr, the West Wind, cleared the clouds for Apollo's sun to shine upon it, causing the flower to bloom. Thus, the Rose was born and crowned Queen of Flowers.
The first true primary red rose in Europe was 'Slater's Crimson China,' introduced from China in 1792. Rose breeders immediately used it for hybridization. The quest for the perfect red rose—fragrant, disease-resistant, long-lasting, long-stemmed, reblooming, perfectly formed, and vividly red—has been the Holy Grail for rosarians ever since, a perfection that remains unattained.
A special 'language of roses' was invented as a secret means of communication between forbidden lovers. Described in the mid-18th century letters of the British ambassador's wife in Constantinople, it inspired many floral dictionaries. In this language, a red rosebud signifies budding desire; an open white rose asks, 'Will you love me?'; an open red rose declares, 'I'm full of love and desire'; and an open yellow rose questions, 'Don't you love me anymore?'