Red roses have always been universally symbolic of love, especially for Valentines' Day, which is being celebrated on Tuesday. The rose, also called the "queen of flowers," occupies a place of honour in J Barry Ferguson's Living With Flowers.
He wrote: "The history of roses is filled with drama and romance. It is a fascinating tale that winds throughout the entire history of Western civilisation. This universally loved flower, the flower of Venus, is celebrated endlessly by the poets and throughout literature from the Bible to Shakespeare to Gertrude Stein. It is the flower of kings, martyrs, crusaders, knights and lovers the world over."
Since the 15th and 16th centuries, the old-fashioned specie roses have been beautifully woven into Flemish tapestries. They echo another time and place.
Ferguson added: "They remind me of the Crusaders who brought back roses with them from the Middle East to plant throughout Europe. Not to mention, the English War of the Roses, when the rival factions each had a red or white rose emblazoned on their shields. Many cities throughout the world have a rose as their emblem, and it is still found in the coats-of-arms of families of many nationalities."
The love-affair with this wonderful flower continues even today. It is seen in the vitality of rose societies all over the world. It is composed of men and women who still take a passionate interest in this loveliest of old-fashioned flowers. While reds are popular, there has even been a green China rose. It is believed to be the first flower that children are able to recognise and love.
Favourite roses
In the chapter Seasons of the Year, it was observed that even in the middle of the city, roses added touches of the country. Reliable favourites are the climbing roses, since they are usually robust and bloom in great quantities. Ferguson said: "They are seen to the best advantage against a house or gazebo, on a trellis, or over an archway or a gazebo, but to encourage healthy growth and maximum bloom, the canes can be trained horizontally so each node will send up another flowering shoot.
"Climbers may be the easiest roses to add to a garden design wherever you have sunny, open spaces against a fence or wall. The vigorous shrub roses, would be the best variety to include in a perennial border because once established they hold their own very well during the growing season and offer continued bloom. The new hybrid roses are often scruffy, uneventful looking bushes after the first year."
Flowers make perfect gifts
Flowers make the perfect gift on more occasions than one might suspect. Beyond the traditional tokens for Mother's Day or Valentine's Day-flowers can delight friends, especially if you gather and arrange them yourself. They are the perfect gift for a mother with her new baby or simply to say "Thank You," or "I'm Sorry." An excerpt said: "Flowers are an appropriate gift for "flower nuts," avid gardeners and fellow horticulturists. It is not a case of "bringing coals to Newcastle" to arrive on the doorstep with flowers, bulbs or seeds. Gardeners love to receive gifts of the first camellia, snowdrop or rose. Flower lovers appreciate a unique plant, or something you've proudly grown, say a favourite "old-fashioned" specie rose.
About Ferguson
Ferguson drew upon his talents and knowledge as a florist, designer, lecturer and botanist with a half century of experience in flowers. He said: "Flowers are an essential part of life-as necessary as the morning cup of coffee or a glass of orange juice." Flipping through the book, Ferguson's passion for flowers shines through. He reveals his philosophy and techniques for creating gorgeous and unique arrangements for every occasion, whether it be a wedding, holiday or a simple meal.