June 1, 2023 – June 30, 2023
National Rose Month is celebrated each year in the month of June. It’s the ideal month to celebrate them as they’re in full bloom during this season. Roses have long held a special place in everyone’s hearts and hold a prominent place in history as well. They have been used to show affection towards another person or as symbols in wars, weddings, etc. In the United States, the rose is a state flower of five states. This beautiful flower has surely earned its place in everyone’s minds and hearts.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL ROSE MONTH
National Rose Month is celebrated annually to recognize its beauty, popularity, and symbolism. This flower comes in over 300 species as well as different sizes and colors across the globe. The rose has evolved over millions of years. Most species of roses are native to Asia, with the other species originating from Europe, North America, and northwestern Africa. The first rose in America is believed to have been found in modern-day Colorado around 50 million years ago. As for the more common garden roses found today, they date back to 18th century China.
It was at the beginning of the 20th century that a part of the White House property, which was used for stables, was transformed into a rose garden, although it houses more than just roses. Pursuant to efforts to pass a bill to designate the rose a national flower, National Rose Month was first observed in 1959. It was only around three decades later that President Ronald Reagan officially made the rose the national flower of the United States of America.
The rose has been used for a variety of purposes. It has served as an inspiration for poets and artists across the globe, owing to its exquisite beauty and fragrance. It is also widely used as an ornamental garden indoor or outdoor plant, as well as for decoration, food, medicinal purposes, or even in aromatherapy and commercial perfumery.
National Rose Month allows us to fully appreciate and celebrate the versatility of this important flower.
