We’re hard-pressed to find anyone who doesn’t enjoy the smell of fresh roses gracing their home or garden. Their delicate perfume and charming appearance will enrich any and every environment. Because of improvements in gardening and flower preservation, we can enjoy the sweet smell of roses almost all year long.
But how exactly is this accomplished? Roses aren’t perennial flowers, after all. You can find the answers to any specific questions you may have had about the classic rose’s bloom cycle and how it grows in this article. We at Venus ET Fleur® know a lot about this beautiful flower. That’s why we’ve put together this list of the most important facts and information about its growth cycles, along with a lot of gardening tips for anyone who wants to grow their own rosebushes.
Reading this article will teach you everything you need to know about why and when roses bloom, whether you want to learn how to grow your own roses or just want to know when the freshest roses are available.
The lives of St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi have captivated Christians for centuries with their radical devotion to Gospel poverty. Though they mostly lived apart as they founded the Franciscan friars and Poor Clares, Francis and Clare shared a profound spiritual bond. This is poignantly symbolized in the medieval legend of Francis telling Clare, “We will meet again when summer returns and the roses bloom.”
In exploring the context and meaning of this iconic phrase, we uncover the devotion and sacrifice underlying one of history’s most inspiring friendships.
Francis and Clare’s Close but Chaste Bond
Francis of Assisi first met Clare Favarone as an 18-year-old noblewoman in church. Deeply inspired by Francis’ preaching, Clare soon ran away from home to become his follower. In 1212, Francis received her vows founding the Order of Poor Clares.
From then on, Francis and Clare shared a close but chaste relationship, bound by their common commitment to radical poverty and service. They saw each other rarely but supported each other spiritually Francis ensured Clare had food at San Damiano convent while he begged his own bread
Some followers of Francis, however, criticized this closeness to a woman as improper. Biographer Thomas of Celano wrote disapprovingly of Francis “consorting more familiarly than seemed expedient” with Clare.
Francis decided discretion was needed. He sought to distance himself from Clare out of sensitivity to outside opinion, not any weakening of their spiritual bond.
Francis’ Parting Words to Clare: A Promise
The most famous legend about Francis and Clare tells of their poignant parting. According to 13th century texts, Francis stopped at San Damiano convent on a winter journey to give Clare his blessing.
As Francis bid farewell, Clare worried she would not see her spiritual guide and friend again soon. Standing amidst the snow, Francis reassured Clare that, though they must part now, “when summer returns again and the roses bloom, then we shall meet again.”
This promise that their separation was only temporary reflected Francis and Clare’s unshakable confidence that God joined their paths. And indeed, as Francis walked away down the wintry road, a miracle occurred – the leafless hedge nearby bloomed with fragrant roses!
For Francis and Clare, this signified that neither snow nor separation could break their spiritual bond. Their companionship was for eternity, like summer and the roses.
Meanings in the Legend: True Friendship and Hope
Behind its folkloric charm, this legend reveals several deeper truths about Francis and Clare’s relationship:
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Spiritual intimacy beyond external separation: Despite physically parting ways, Francis and Clare maintained a deep spiritual intimacy based on shared love of Christ. Their friendship was not dependent on proximity.
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Mutual sacrifice: Out of sensitivity to public perception, they willingly sacrificed close contact. This underscored their commitment to protecing the integrity of their vocations.
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Unwavering hope: In troubling times, Francis and Clare clung to the hope that, through God’s grace, they would reunite in some form. Their hope mirrored that for eternal reunion with loved ones in heaven.
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Sign of God’s favor: The miraculous roses assured the saints that God smiled on their pure love and sacrifice. Their bond would endure.
For 800 years, this iconic phrase “when summer returns and the roses bloom” has distilled the legends of Francis and Clare into a promise of true friendship and faith in God’s providence.
Enduring Lessons on Spiritual Friendship
The promise between Francis and Clare carries inspirational lessons for all, especially for cultivating deep spiritual friendship:
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Seek friends who bring you closer to God – Like Francis and Clare, the best friends share higher loves and values that improve life’s journey.
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Nurture soul affinity – Companionship thrives through shared spiritual experiences, conversations, and knowledge of each other’s character.
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Value substance over form – External time together matters less than the internal bond connecting friends. Distance apart cannot sever a relationship grounded in God.
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Have faith in reunion – Parting brings sorrow but, like Francis and Clare, we can have faith that goodbyes in this life are temporary for those united in spirit.
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See signs of God’s blessings – In times of doubt, look for signs like the miraculous roses affirming that God smiles on a friendship dedicated to Him.
Francis and Clare lived eight centuries ago, yet the lessons from their spiritual companionship remain fresh and relevant today. May their commitment to poverty and chaste love continue to inspire universal friendship approaching the perfect love of God and neighbor.
The Unbreakable Bond Between the Saints
In many ways, Francis and Clare’s relationship reflects the very best of what human friendship can and should be – spiritually enriching, mutually sacrificial and rooted in absolute faith.
Their steadfast affection and trust in God’s purpose, even when forced to separate, set a poignant example of how love endures all things. Few stories capture the strength of this saintly friendship more beautifully than the promise, “We will meet again when summer returns and the roses bloom.”
Across 800 years, through world wars and pandemics, that summer reunion endures as a testament to the power of spiritual companionship. The roses still bloom as brilliantly for Francis and Clare, and for all who nurture similar unbreakable bonds. Their legend remains among the most lyrical expressions of Christian friendship ever told.
Growing Your Own Roses
Now that you know more about the different types of roses and when they bloom, here are some tips to help you grow your own rose garden.
There are two ways to begin your rose-planting journey. The first is with bare-root roses. These should be purchased from a mail-order company with your ideal planting date firmly in mind. Bare-root roses should be planted the moment they arrive. Most of the time, they are shipped in early spring, before the plants have “leafed out,” when they are fully dormant.
When you get them, bare-root roses will look like a bunch of sticks. Keep in mind that they are not dead, just dormant. Make sure the stuff they’re packed in is wet, and keep them somewhere cool and dark until you’re ready to plant them.
You may also opt for potted roses, sometimes called container roses. These can also be ordered or bought at a local nursery. These are best planted in late spring, though you can begin growing late in the season—just make sure to water them properly, especially as it gets hotter in the summer.
You should put your roses somewhere that gets at least six hours of sunlight every day. Anything less will result in less-than-ideal blooms. It’s best to get morning sun because it helps dry out the leaves, which keeps blight and other plant diseases at bay.
Remember that as the year goes on, the sun will move, and so will the angle of the sun, which is what your rose needs to grow. People who live in the northern half of the U.S. S. will want to choose a site that offers full sun year-round. The more sun you have, the more buds your bush will yield. If in the southern half of the U. S. Put your roses in places that get some afternoon shade. This will give those sun-baked blooms a much-needed break.
When it comes to finally planting, roses prefer a slightly acidic soil pH, somewhere between 5. 5 and 7. 0. A pH of 6. 5 is right on the money for most home gardening outfits. Once planted, water the roots liberally.
Your roses want diligent watering. Under ideal summer conditions, you want to water the full root zone about twice a week. It’s better to do this than to sprinkle less often and less deeply, since the smaller amount won’t likely reach the very bottom of the root network.
Don’t drown them, though—too much water can kill roses. The soil should be damp, but there shouldn’t be any visible water.
As for pruning, steps may vary depending on how you want your rosebush to look and produce. There is a lot to talk about at this point in the article, but we have already written a long guide on how to prune your rose bush that you should use when the time comes!
A lot of the time, we don’t use artificial fertilizers because they encourage undergrowth that can attract aphids and other hungry pests. Instead, use natural fertilizers or, even better, compost from your own yard to feed the soil of your bush before, after, and during the growing season.
Magnesium sulfate can help plants grow faster in the early stages of the growing season, usually in May and June. A tablespoon of Epsom salts will provide a necessary dose. However, a fun alternative source of magnesium can come from an unlikely source: a simple banana peel.
Roses love magnesium, sulfur, calcium, and phosphates, which can be found naturally in banana peels. These nutrients also help roses grow faster and earlier. Bury a mushy old banana or two near the base of your bush and watch those babies bloom!.
When Do Roses Bloom?
Roses bloom in cycles. The time between when a rose is cut with full blooms and when a new bud blooms in its place is called its “bloom cycle.” ” The bloom cycle of most modern roses is about 6-8 weeks, with some exceptions.
Most modern varietals of rose will bloom continuously, meaning that they can have a number of bloom cycles over the course of a season, which is typically May through October, depending on the climate. For example, in Southern California, rose season will often begin as early as March, while in equatorial climates, roses can actually be grown year-round. Most commercial roses are grown in such climates, for the obvious reason that they allow for continuous production.
Rose plants will start their first bloom cycle after the last frost in most places, as long as they were pruned properly. Rose petals can then be picked about every six to eight weeks until the end of the season.
These general rules don’t apply to all species of rose, however. There are three main categories of rose bloom cycles.
Certain breeds of rose only bloom once per season. The most well-known of these is the Carolina rose, Rosa Carolina. Roses of this species only bloom once a year in May. They grow wild in many parts of the US, especially in the south. Many older rose varieties, discernible by their five distinctive petals, are derived from various once-blooming species. There are also the “Constance Spry” rose, which is a modern take on the English rose, and the “Madame Hardy” rose, which is a hybrid damask that blooms later in the summer.
Even less common than the last group, we only know of a few species of rose that blooms twice. However, some species that only bloom once will sometimes randomly bloom a second time near the end of the growing season in late summer or fall. One plant with this rare trait is the Damask rose (Rosa damascena), a very popular type that comes from the Middle East. These roses are also unique in that they typically bloom in late summer or fall.
Another type that isn’t as well known is the broad-petaled “Quatre saisons blanc mousseux,” which means “four seasons sparkling white” in French. This flower is usually white, as its name suggests, but hybridizers have recently been able to make them light pink as well.
Most garden roses bloom more than once, so you can usually get more than one crop of flowers from them before the end of the season. The hybrid tea “Peace” rose is another classic example. Gardeners love it because it only blooms for three to five weeks, which is much shorter than most roses.
ROSE AFTER BLOOM CARE – Correctly Deadhead & Summer Pruning
What time of year do Roses Bloom?
Repeat flowering roses do bloom through the summer, but it is during early summer and fall that we get the best flowering and highest quality flowers. Pruning helps control the size of rose bushes and stimulates fresh, vigorous growth that improves flowering.
Do roses bloom all summer?
These beautiful roses bloom all summer long and are practically carefree. Our free Planting Guide for this garden includes a larger version of the illustration, a detailed layout diagram, a list of plants for the garden as shown, and complete instructions for installing the garden.
When does rosé season start?
There isn’t a specific “start date” to rosé season the way there is a “start date” for Beaujolais Nouveau (third Thursday of November), for example, or Valentine’s Day or New Year’s Eve for sparkling wine. Rosé is a lot more fluid than that. But the occasion of our first glass of rosé this year is, nonetheless, well worth marking.