Roses are one of the oldest and most beautiful flowers in the world. Fossil evidence shows that roses existed over 35 million years ago. They originally grew in Asia but later spread to Europe, North America, and Africa.
Roses, belonging to the genus Rosa in the family Rosaceae, have a long and rich history that spans thousands of years. Wild roses are native primarily to Asia, with smaller populations in Europe, North America, and northwest Africa. Fossil records indicate that roses have existed for over 35 million years, evolving in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. The earliest cultivated roses likely originated in China around 5,000 years ago, where they were prized for their ornamental beauty and fragrance.
In ancient civilizations, roses held great significance. In Mesopotamia, around 3,000 BCE, they were cultivated for perfumes and cosmetics. In Egypt, roses were associated with love and beauty, with Cleopatra reportedly scattering rose petals in her palace. The Greeks revered roses as sacred to Aphrodite, the goddess of love, and also used them medicinally. In Rome, roses became symbols of wealth and luxury, used in religious ceremonies and lavish feasts. Meanwhile, in China, gardeners developed hybrid roses over 2,000 years ago, focusing on color and repeated flowering, laying the foundation for many modern varieties.