The Philadelphia Unit of The Herb Society of America
The Philadelphia Unit is one of the 44 autonomous units which belong to The Herb Society of America. The Unit was organized in 1937 in the Philadelphia suburbs as “The Central Unit” and became “The Philadelphia Unit” in 1940. Our mission is to increase our own knowledge and enjoyment of herbs and to share this knowledge and delight with the community.
To learn more about us, click here.
Rose is the 2012 Herb of the Year
“My love is like a red, red rose that’s newly sprung in spring,” wrote Robert Burns in 1794. Roses are one of the world’s most beloved flowers. They are a symbol of love, joy and beauty and have been mentioned in literature and countless poems throughout the ages.
Roses originated in China and spread via trade routes through India to Persia and on to the Middle East and Europe. It was Greek colonists who most likely brought the rose to Italy. Rose water was prepared as early as the tenth century. William Penn returned to the American colonies in 1699 and brought 18 rosebushes with him. Long before, however, Native Americans used roses for health care and ornaments.
The genus Rosa has some 150 species spread throughout the Northern Hemisphere including Northern Africa. It is cultivated for its beauty, for its fragrant perfumes, for cosmetic purposes, and for its many culinary uses.
The flavor of roses can be found in many culinary delights such as cookies, cakes and even ice cream. Rose hips (the fruit) are rich in Vitamin C and are in the same family as crabapples. They are tart and can be used to make syrups, jellies, teas and breads. Rugosa roses are said to have the best tasting hips.
Rose petals are used in salads and as a garnish. Their beautiful fragrance is preferred in perfumes, soaps, bath oils and potpourris. Cleopatra was said to have had her floors covered in rose petals to captivate Marc Anthony.
Tea roses, floribundas and large-flowered climbers make the best cut flowers for indoor arrangements.
Roses do best in well-drained soil enriched with organic matter. They need sunshine most of the day and should be spaced for good air circulation. They can be propagated from seeds, buddings, or cuttings. Roses which have utility in the herb garden include the damask (R. damascena), French (R. gallica) and rugosa (R. rugosa).
The Philadelphia Unit of The Herb Society of America will feature the Rose, The Herb of the Year 2012 (named by the International Herb Association), at our 73rd Annual Herb Sale. This sale will be held rain or shine on May 10, 2012 from 10 am to 1:30 pm on the green at Historic Yellow Springs on Art School Road in Chester Springs, PA. Alongside hundreds of familiar or unusual culinary and fragrant herbs, customers will find scented geraniums, salvias and roses. Homemade herbal products and garden related books and accessories will be offered. An herbal luncheon catered by Julie Zlogar will be available by reservation for $15.
To reserve a luncheon, checks should be sent to:
HSA Philadelphia Unit, P.O. Box 273, Chester Springs, PA 19425.
The Herb Society of America is a non-profit volunteer organization dedicated to promoting the knowledge, use and delight in herbs through educational programs, research and sharing the experience with its members and the community. Proceeds from this sale will benefit such projects as the Medicinal Garden at Historic Yellow Springs, the Fragrant Garden at Tyler Arboretum, and the National Herb Garden in Washington DC. These gardens are maintained by Herb Society members and are open to visitors.
For more information about the Herb Sale
Call: 610-827-1576
Email: herbsale@hsaphiladelphia.org
Website: www.hsaphiladelphia.org