To the numerous rose lovers out there, here is some food for thought:

Eighty per cent of the world's rose species come from Asia.

Apples, pears and peaches are all members of the rose family!

Queen Elizabeth had a larger variety of pink tea roses named after her. The Queen Elizabeth rose is a vigorous plant, especially suited for the back of the border.

It takes 9,000 pounds of roses, or approximately 55,000 blossoms, to extract just two pounds of genuine rose essence (used in expensive perfumes).

The Romans were enamoured with the smell of roses. According to historians, Nero had pipes installed under banquet plates to allow his guests to be sprayed with rose scent between dinner courses.

There is an old 'city law' still on record in Riverside, California, which makes it illegal to kiss unless both parties wipe their lips with rose water.