The genus Rosa belongs to a large family called Rosaceae, which includes other ornamental and food crops, such as, bridal wreath, loquat, peach, nectarine, cherry, apricot, almond, raspberry, blackberry and strawberry.

There are many classes of roses within two major categories: the spring flow asks and Albas, and the modern roses, descendents from China, which are the repeat bloomers so popular today and include the Teas, Noisettes, Floribundas, Grandifloras and Miniatures.

Steeped in performance, few shrubs or perennial flowers are as reliable and outlast the ability of the rose, blooming readily the first year of planting and for much of the growing season. And, roses come back year after year.

The fragrance of this beloved flower boasts to be the only fragrance that never fatigues the nose. Sun and warmth are' necessary to release and heighten its reverie. Roses are not as fragrant on a cloudy day. Attar of roses, that exquisite oil, has always been expensive. One reason is that it takes 500 kilograms of petals to produce 5 00 grams of attar. In Bulgaria containers of it were stored in vaults.

If you happen to be making an arrangement of roses, cut the stems in late afternoon. Re-cut them at an angle under tap water or in a bucket, then transfer into a vase with a lukewarm water solution containing a floral preservative, Listerine, or of 1/2 cup sugar (food) and 2 tsp. Clorox (bacterial killer) per two gallons of water. Change the solution and re-cut the stems every three days. A Russian trick is to peel the outer skin up about half an inch from the cut to expose more of the conducting tissue to the solution. Best to do this after soaking.

This eternal flower has derived its own language. It began in Constantinople in the 1600s, made its way to England, then on to France where the book Le Langage des Fleurs was printed with over 800 floral signs. Many were toned down due to their lusty and risque nature, but their colors still send a timeless message:

• Red = "I love you," respect, congratulations; a red bud blushes, "You are young and beautiful."
• Yellow = joy, friendship, gladness, jealousy
• Pink = "Please believe me," sweetness; a pink Damask rose symbolizes beauty ever new.
• White = true love, innocence, reverence; a withered white rose says "You are unimpressionable," or that the giver pines with despair
• Lavender = enchantment, love at first sight; pate colors connote sociability and friendship
• Dark pink = thankfulness
• Peach = get together, grateful, sincere'
• Orange = fascination
• Red & white = unity; two roses joined together "tie the knot"
• Black (usally a dark dark red) = farewell