Where to Buy Rose Petals?

The word “rose” came from the Latin word “rosa.” It’s a feminine name and also a term of endearment. Scientifically, it’s a flowering shrub under a family of plants termed as Rosacea. There are around 300 species of rose plants. Rose flowers grow in different colours and sizes. They can be found in every part of the world because they are commercially bred. Let’s take a look at where to buy rose petals. 

History of Roses

Based on fossil evidence, roses are believed to exist 35 million years ago. They were found in the Northern Hemisphere including Africa, Alaska, America, and Mexico. But the garden cultivation of roses started 5,000 years ago in China. 

Then, they were grown extensively during the Roman period. Roman nobles created public rose gardens in the south of Rome. In the 17^th century, roses became legal tender in Europe. Because of their high demand, they were often used to barter goods or as payments for services. By the 18^th century, roses were cultivated in Europe. 

Today, roses can be seen anywhere in the world with each colour representing a certain value. Red roses symbolize love. Yellow roses represent friendship. Orange roses imply enthusiasm. Pink roses signal joy. White roses are a sign of purity.

Where to Buy Rose Petals?

Roses better grow in dry areas with an altitude of 2000 to 3000 metres. As such, the best places to buy rose petals are arid countries with mountainous features. Among them are:

Bulgaria

Roses in Bulgaria originated from Southern China. They were brought to the land by the Persians coming from Iran. The most popular rose in Bulgaria is the Damask Rose. The rose petals of such a breed are generally small and are either coloured in light pink, light red, and moderate pink. 

Damask rose are typically planted every November in Bulgaria. They can last from 30 to 40 years. Bulgaria boasts of 1300 hectares of rose plantations. Most of these plantations are concentrated in the Rose Valley, located south of the Balkan Mountains. 

In 1650, the production of rose oil and rose water became popular in the region. Today, rose oil is the liquid gold of Bulgaria as the country leads the world’s rose oil production.

China

The Zhongguo Huajing, China’s floral encyclopedia exposed that roses were widely cultivated in China during the 4^th and 5^th centuries. The Song Dynasty have extensively developed the China Hibiscus or China Rose breed. It’s rose petals are bell-shaped and large. 

They come in a variety of colours – orange, red, white, and yellow. The rose petals in China make up the popular rose tea. They are a key ingredient in Chinese herbology. They are known to aid in weight loss, combat cancer, and relaxes the nervous system.

France

France has a long-time love affair with roses dating back to ancient Greece. Rose Gallica, the so-called French Rose has rose petals that grow in a cluster. They’re coloured deep pink and have a fragrant smell. 

The rose petals of French roses were exclusively used to make rose pomade and rose water. French rose water has a superior odour that calms the mind and hydrates the skin. There are 8 famous rose gardens in France. These are located in Eze, Giverny, Maincy, Marqueyssac, Paris, Perigord, Versailles, and Villandry, 

Turkey

Just like Bulgaria, Damask Rose is the most popular rose breeds in Turkey. In 1870, İsmail Efendi smuggled a sapling of the Damask Rose in the Rose Valley of Bulgaria. He planted it in a small garden in Isparta, Turkey which now became the rose garden of the world. 

Rose petals in the said plantation are processed into rose oils, the most expensive type globally. They are high in antioxidants that keep the skin blemish-free and prevents it from aging. 

Roses bloom from mid-spring to fall. This makes them desirable for garden cultivation in many parts of the world.