Rose
Garden Rose
Scientific Name:
Rosa hybrida
Family:
Rosaceae
Flower Language
-
Jealousy
-
Friendship
-
Peace
Characteristics
Colors:
Yellow
Description
A group of Rosaceae plants native to various parts of the world, with yellow varieties being relatively new. The first yellow rose was 'Soleil d'Or' created in 1900 by French breeder Joseph Pernet-Ducher, born from crossing 'Antoine Ducher' seedling with wild species 'Rosa fetida.' Yellow roses have complex flower languages, carrying both positive meanings like 'friendship' and 'peace' and negative ones like 'jealousy' and 'fading love.' Currently cherished as Father's Day gifts and flowers expressing friendship, their bright colors brighten gardens.
Trivia
- 'Soleil d'Or' in 1900 became starting point for yellow rose variety development
- Developing yellow hybrid tea varieties was major challenge for 19th-century horticulture
- Yellow roses tend to have stronger fragrance than other colored roses
- Thousands of yellow rose varieties now exist
Uses
Ornamental
- Ornamental cultivation in gardens
- Cut flower use
- Bouquets and decorative purposes
Medicinal
- Rose hips: vitamin C-rich health tea
- Petals: cosmetics and aromatherapy
- Rose oil: skin care
Caution:
Avoid medicinal/culinary use of pesticide-treated roses
Culinary
- Petals
- Rose hips (fruits)
Other
- Major ingredient in perfume industry
- Use in cosmetics industry
- Dried flower production
Toxicity
Symptoms:
Generally safe but watch for thorn injuries
Himalayan Saxifrage
Elephant's Ear
Bergenia
Scientific Name:
Bergenia stracheyi
Family:
Saxifragaceae
Flower Language
-
Hidden Feelings
-
Adaptability
-
Perseverance
Description
An evergreen perennial of the Saxifragaceae family native to the Himalayas at 3900-4500m elevation. Introduced to Japan in the Meiji period, it's now cherished as a flower announcing spring's arrival. Large cabbage-like leaves 10-20cm long spread in rosette formation, with beautiful pink flowers in compound inflorescences from February to April. Extremely cold-hardy and valued as ground cover. The flower language 'hidden feelings' derives from blooming charming flowers in early spring without withering under snow, while 'adaptability' represents its hardiness in adapting to harsh environments. Once planted, it grows with minimal care, making it suitable for beginners.
Trivia
- English name 'Elephant's Ear' comes from large leaf shape
- Grows in extreme environments up to 4500m elevation in Himalayas
- Representative alpine plant introduced to Japan by Meiji-era botanists
- Once established, continues blooming in same location for decades
Uses
Ornamental
- Ground cover planting
- Rock garden use
- Early spring cut flowers
Medicinal
- Currently not used medicinally
- Traditionally used for wound treatment in Himalayan regions
- Mainly ornamental purposes only
Caution:
Medical use not recommended
Culinary
Not used for culinary purposes
Other
- Environmental indicator plant
- Cold region greening
- Horticultural therapy material
Toxicity
Symptoms:
Generally considered safe
Daphne
Winter Daphne
Fragrant Daphne
Scientific Name:
Daphne odora
Family:
Thymelaeaceae
Flower Language
-
Glory
-
Immortality
-
Eternity
Description
An evergreen shrub of the Thymelaeaceae family native to southern China, cultivated in Japan since the Muromachi period. One of the three great fragrant trees along with spring daphne, summer gardenia, and autumn osmanthus. From February to April, it produces 10-20 thick flowers with purple-red exterior and pure white interior in hemispherical clusters at branch tips, emitting strong fragrance. Named because flower fragrance resembles agarwood and cross-shaped flowers resemble cloves. Growing 1-1.5m tall, it naturally maintains round form with minimal pruning needed. Dislikes transplanting and easily dies if roots are damaged, so planting location must be chosen carefully. All parts are toxic and require careful handling.
Trivia
- Named because fragrance resembles agarwood and shape resembles cloves
- Earliest blooming among three great fragrant trees (daphne, gardenia, osmanthus)
- Very sensitive to transplanting, said 'won't bloom for three years after transplanting'
- Bark fiber historically used as raw material for Japanese paper
Uses
Ornamental
- Garden tree planting
- Ornamental plant for fragrance enjoyment
- Hedge use
Medicinal
- Currently not used medicinally due to toxicity
- Records of external medicine use in ancient China
- Currently prohibited due to danger
Caution:
Medical use strictly prohibited due to strong toxicity throughout plant
Culinary
Not edible due to toxicity
Other
- Research for fragrance industry use
- Horticultural variety development
- Use as landscape plant
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Severe
Toxic Parts:
All parts (especially bark, roots, fruits), Sap, Seeds
Symptoms:
Ingestion causes severe diarrhea, vomiting, cardiac disorders, and can be fatal in severe cases