Image Credits
Rosa Gallica, Johannes Simon Holtzbecher, 1649-1659, Google Art Project, Public Domain
Object Type(s)
Description
Adriaen van der Donck notes that the settlers brought 'red and white roses' with them to plant in their gardens. Of special importance may have been Rosa gallica, the Apothecary's Rose. This extremely hardy variety could survive winters in New Amsterdam, and was highly prized for its scent.
Various parts of this plant were used in medicinal preparations by apothecaries for hundreds of years, so it is likely that this rose featured in the medicinal gardens kept by Hans Kierstede.