Green Options

The UK imports cheap roses grown in Kenya for Valentine’s Day that are “bleeding that country dry,” says Dr. David Harper, an ecology and conservation biologist at the University of Leicester.

Of particular concern is the region around Lake Naivasha, where cheap rose growers have no concern for the environment.

Roses that come cheap are grown by companies that have no concern for the

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Roses are abundant this time of year, with many lucky ladies receiving gorgeous bouquets for Valentine’s Day.  Roses are loved for their beauty, scent and many can even be eaten.  This perfect posy is also a hard working ingredient when used in skin care and beauty products.

Rose hip oil is extracted from the seeds of the rose bush.  This vegetable oil contains retinol (Vitamin A) and is high in Vitamin C and omega-3 making it highly effective for diminishing signs of aging, reducing sun damage and softening the skin.  It is also used to treat dermatitis, acne and eczema.

Rose oil (rose otto or rose absolute) is the essential oil extracted from the petals of various types of roses and is commonly used in perfumes and other beauty products.

A few years ago, when we started getting our garden together my wife wanted to have a trellis for some roses to climb on. We looked at various options. There are pre-built or kit trellises, but those are expensive. We could build one with wood, but it would need to be treated with preservatives (nasty chemicals) and would need maintenance. We ended up deciding to build one using simple copper pipe.