This is a special two-part Plant Face-Off! We had so much to say about roses and carnations that we had to split the recording into two episodes. In this instalment, we start with some housekeeping, answering the listener question “What is Patreon?”, explaining why we’re phasing off the Meta platforms Facebook and Instagram, and reminding YOU to reach out if you’d like to join the conversation at our Plants Always Win Discord server.

After that Sean takes us through history and around the world with the ever-sweet subject of roses. Learn about the surprising members of the rose family fruit tree, explore their history and symbolism, and learn how to take care of them in your garden—especially here in Ontario. Sean also answers some questions from the internet, such as “Can I regrow my rose bouquet?” “Are rose petals edible?”, and “How can I make my cut roses last?” 

But the face-off doesn’t end here. Come back later this week for Part II when Erin takes the floor with roses’ Valentine’s Day competitor, carnations. Then cast your vote by email on social media with the hashtag #PAWfaceoff. 

Comments? Feedback? Want your garden question to be featured in a future Q&A segment? Email us, reach out over social media, or get Q&A priority by supporting us on Patreon. 

Bluesky: @plantsalwayswin.com 

TikTok: @plantsalwayswinpodcast 

YouTube: @plantsalwayswinpodcast

Website: www.plantsalwayswin.com 

Credits

Website Design and Illustration by Sophia Alladin

Intro and Outro Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/when-my-ukulele-plays

License code: GWOIMMBAS15FG6PH

Citations

Roses (native and not) that grow in Ontario

Ontario Trees and Shrubs - Roses Group. (n.d.). http://ontariotrees.com/main/group.php?id=80 

Distinguishing different types of roses

The Different Types of Roses: An Ultimate Guide. (n.d.). Jackson & Perkins. Retrieved February 4, 2025, from https://www.jacksonandperkins.com/ultimate-guide-rose-types/a/types-of-roses/ 

General information about the Rosa genus

roses (Genus Rosa). (n.d.). iNaturalist. https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/53438-Rosa 

Roses and their soil pH needs

Jones, S. (n.d.). Balancing soil pH for growing roses. Santa Clarita Valley Rose Society. Retrieved February 4, 2025, from http://www.santaclaritarose.org/BalancePH.html 

Research into traditional medicinal uses of roses

Schwarcz, J., PhD. (2023, February 8). Valentine’s Day! Time to smell the roses! McGill University Office for Science and Society. https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/history/valentines-day-time-smell-roses

Timestamps

00:59 Intro

1:41: Audience question: What is Patreon?

4:37 Social Media Changes

5:59 Merch Update

6:50 Our Discord Server

8:10 The Plant Face-Off

8:32: Sean's Plant: Roses

9:45 The Surprising Rosaceae Family

12:15 The Symbolism of Roses

13:13 Greek and Egyptian History

14:35 Roses Come From Everywhere!

16:28 A Rose by Any Other Type...

18:16 Growing Roses in your Garden

19:02 Fertilizer Tangent: They Alter pH?

22:34 Pruning and Deadheading your Roses

24:32 Rosehips Don't Lie: Eating Roses

25:33 Reverting to Wild Rootstock

26:24 What Pests and Diseases? Basically All of Them.

30:01 Rose Fragrances: Perfumes, Oils, and your Grandma's Soap

31:35 Pigments, Dried Flowers, and Other Uses

33:24 Culinary and Medical Uses (and Speaking to the Deer)

38:10 Answering Internet Questions about Roses

40:49 Regrowing your Bouquet

43:05 Caring for your Cut Roses

46:20 Shoutout to Teacup Miniature Roses

48:14 Outro