What can I say?

Jon

“Although roses were once popular throughout Europe during the reign of the Roman Empire, they soon lost their importance once the empire went into decline. Almost forgotten, it was the Crusaders of the twelfth and thirteenths centuries who – bringing them back from their Eastern travels -revived their popular interest. Before long the rose found its way back into the gardens of rich noblemen and wealthy merchants.

There was even some profit to be made with the return of this forgotten plant as their bright red petals were used in the production of rose-petal syrups and conserves. These were popularly sold on the pretence of ‘dubious’ medicinal properties, but later this formed the basis of the rose-petal industry and used in the production of perfumes.

During this period the most popular rose grown was the ‘Apothecary’s Rose’- Rosa gallica officianalis. It was also known as…