Rose (Rosa spp.) genetic resources of Lake Van basin, Turkey: endangered antic roses of old Van gardens

Abstract

Anatolia has been an important gene center for the planting and improving of old garden roses until sixteenth century. The interest in old garden roses in Anatolia shifted to new modern roses raised in Europe after sixteenth century. Old garden roses have been able to survive in remote gardens of Anatolia such as Van gardens. In this study, the population status, flower characteristics and usage methods of old garden roses, which were planted in Van gardens and had a rich garden culture tradition since Urartu, have been investigated. As a result of this study which was carried out between 2004 and 2005, ten species, one being new, have been determined in gardens in and around Van. In terms of availability, four of these species were determined as being rare, four infrequent and two widespread in the area. The urban texture of Van has experienced a fast improvement in the last two decades as a result of modernism, and the old rose gardens, which were part of the local culture and genetic wealth, have been replaced by the big blocks of houses.