The Rose: A True History

Sappho’s planting of roses at Aphrodite’s shrine has captivated imaginations since. Horticultural historian Jennifer Potter explores the flower’s diverse cultural perceptions, tracing its evolution from a northern briar to cultivated perfection. She delves into its association with sexuality and secret societies, questions the Crusaders’ role in introducing roses from the Holy Land, and hunts for elusive blooms in Empress Josephine’s Malmaison gardens. Above all, this flower has provoked unparalleled fascination.

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