Europeans discover rose cultivation

From the 16th century onwards, seafaring nations, primarily the English and the Dutch, brought roses from the Far East to Europe and rose breeding began. The first centifolia roses were created in Holland, for example: roses suddenly displayed double flowers instead of single ones and graced the gardens of burghers and nobles with their heady scent. The first moss roses were developed from these through bud mutations.

However, rose breeding did not begin on a large scale until western Europeans started to cross Chinese roses with European ones after trade with Asia expanded in the late 18th century. Breeding and selection then brought forth repeat blooming varieties such as Portland, Bourbon, Noisette and remontant roses.

Rose breeder David Austin was also very successful with his English roses, which go back to these traditional varieties in colour and form. The wild Rosa rugosa has also played a major role in rose breeding over the past decades. It was used to breed winter hardiness and resistance to disease into cultivars. Aficionados can now choose from around 30,000 varieties of rose.