Rosa centifolia
| Rosa centifolia | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 6 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Self Pollinated | |
| Height: | 5' |
| Blooms: | Early Summer-Mid Summer |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Rosa centifolia (common name: provence rose)
Propagation: Seed. Rose seed often takes two years to germinate. This is because it may need a warm spell of weather after a cold spell in order to mature the embryo and reduce the seedcoat[1]. One possible way to reduce this time is to scarify the seed and then place it for 2 - 3 weeks in damp peat at a temperature of 27 - 32°c (by which time the seed should have imbibed). It is then kept at 3°c for the next 4 months by which time it should be starting to germinate[1]. Alternatively, it is possible that seed harvested 'green' (when it is fully developed but before it has dried on the plant) and sown immediately will germinate in the late winter. This method has not as yet(1988) been fully tested[1]. Seed sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame sometimes germinates in spring though it may take 18 months. Stored seed can be sown as early in the year as possible and stratified for 6 weeks at 5°c[2]. It may take 2 years to germinate[2]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. Plant out in the summer if the plants are more than 25cm tall, otherwise grow on in a cold frame for the winter and plant out in late spring.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood with a heel, July in a shaded frame. Overwinter the plants in the frame and plant out in late spring[3]. High percentage[3].
Cuttings of mature wood of the current seasons growth. Select pencil thick shoots in early autumn that are about 20 - 25cm long and plant them in a sheltered position outdoors or in a cold frame[3][2]. The cuttings can take 12 months to establish but a high percentage of them normally succeed[3].
Division of suckers in the dormant season. Plant them out direct into their permanent positions.
Layering. Takes 12 months[4].
Cultivation: Succeeds in most soils[4], preferring a circumneutral soil and a sunny position[2]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Dislikes water-logged soils[2].
A very ornamental plant[5], there are many named forms developed for their ornamental value[6]. The flowers are fragrant[6]. The Provence rose is often cultivated for its essential oil in southern France and Morocco[7][8]. It is closely related to R. damascena and R. gallica[4].
Grows well with alliums, parsley, mignonette and lupins[9][10]. Garlic planted nearby can help protect the plant from disease and insect predation[9][10]. Grows badly with boxwood[9].
Plants produce a few suckers[2].
Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[1].
Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[2].
Range: A garden hybrid of uncertain origin.
Habitat: Not known in a truly wild situation.
Edibility: Fruit - raw or cooked. A pulpy flesh[4]. It is best after it has been softened and sweetened by frost. There is only a thin layer of flesh surrounding the many seeds[K]. Some care has to be taken when eating this fruit, see the notes above on known hazards.
The seed is a good source of vitamin E, it can be ground and mixed with flour or added to other foods as a supplement[11][12]. Be sure to remove the seed hairs[11].
The blossoms are used for scenting tea[13][14][15][12].
The petals are preserved in sugar and used as a delicacy[12]. They can also be added to fruit pies as a flavouring[12].
Medicinal: The root is astringent[16].
The petals are laxative[16]. A syrup made from the petals is used to treat constipation in infants[16].
The fruit of many members of this genus is a very rich source of vitamins and minerals, especially in vitamins A, C and E, flavanoids and other bio-active compounds. It is also a fairly good source of essential fatty acids, which is fairly unusual for a fruit. It is being investigated as a food that is capable of reducing the incidence of cancer and also as a means of halting or reversing the growth of cancers[17].
The essential oil is used in aromatherapy. Its keyword is 'Cleansing'[18].
Usage: An essential oil is obtained from the flowers, it is used in perfumery[19][8][20].
The dried petals are used in pot-pourri[7].
Pollinators: Insects, self
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Seed Ripens: Late Summer-Late Fall
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Heavy Clay: Grows in heavy-clay soils.
Known Hazards: There is a layer of hairs around the seeds just beneath the flesh of the fruit. These hairs can cause irritation to the mouth and digestive tract if ingested.
Also Known As: R. gallica centifolia. R. provincialis. non J.Herrm.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 McMillan-Browse, Philip. Hardy Woody Plants from Seed. Grower Books, 1985.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Sheat, Wilfrid. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. St Martin, 1948.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Genders, Roy. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale, 1994.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Philbrick, Helen and Richard Gregg. Companion Plants. Watkins, 1979.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Riotte, Louise. Carrots Love Tomatoes. Garden Way, 1978.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Kavasch, Barrie. Native Harvests. Vintage Books, 1979.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ Hedrick, Ulysses. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications, 1972.
- ↑ Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
- ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 Chopra, R. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi, 1986.
- ↑ Matthews, Victoria. The New Plantsman Volume 1. Royal Horticultural Society, 1994.
- ↑ Westwood, Christine. Aromatherapy - A Guide for Home Use. Amberwood Publishing, 1993.
- ↑ Schery. Robert. Plants for Man. Prentice Hall, 1972.
- ↑ Hill, Albert. Economic Botany. The Maple Press, 1952.