The rose is a beautiful and elegant flower; probably the first thought that comes to mind when it comes to making a romantic gift to a woman or asking for her forgiveness. There are one hundred and fifty species of roses and countless hybrids, with sizes ranging from a few centimeters to several meters. The petals are used to extract essences used in perfumery, cosmetics, confectionery, and the production of liqueurs.
The rose is used as an ornamental plant to add color to gardens, but it also has some medicinal properties. Its petals, as well as its leaves, have an anti-diarrheal effect, the fruit contains vitamin C, sedatives, and diuretics.
In aromatherapy, rose oil is attributed with aphrodisiac, antidepressant, sedative, analgesic, and antiseptic properties; it is also said to benefit the cardiac and digestive systems.
Depending on its color, the rose takes on a different meaning – but what is the point of planting a rose at the beginning of vineyard rows?
I have recently heard some naive people claim that a rose planted in the vineyard would give greater aromaticity to the grapes, while others speak of superstition, esotericism, and symbolism, or even aesthetics!
In reality, the rose acts as a sentinel and is called a "indicator plant"; it essentially shows the symptoms of any disease first and is more easily attacked by parasites, as well as being the first to suffer the effects of mineral deficiencies. Placed at the head of the rows, they act as a "thermometer" that monitors and controls the health of the row, anticipating potential problems and enabling rapid intervention.
Among the diseases "foreseeable" thanks to the rose are attacks of botrytis, the notorious powdery mildew, woolly root rot, bacterial crown gall, attacks by red and yellow spider mites, and metcalfa. The rose is essentially the sentinel – the sailor who warns of an imminent pirate attack, the canary used in mines… Beautiful and useful.
What do you think?
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