Some know it as the Queen of Flowers; others call it by its family name, Rosaceae. But most of us know it, quite simply, as the rose. Whether grown in gardens, depicted in drawings, or praised in poetry, it is one of the most loved and beautiful of all flowers. This article briefly describes its history, explains its basic classifications, and provides descriptions and photographs of some of the most interesting and diverse specimens of the rose, the most beautiful of the flowering plants.