Common name: Rose
Botanical Names: Rosa
Origin: Asia (small number from Europe, North America and Northwest Africa)
Colours: virtually all except blue and black
Roses have been important throughout history; the ancient Greeks and Romans linked the rose to their Goddess of love. In the Middle Ages Rosaries were made from rose hips, which were considered sacred. Roses have symbolised love and beauty for hundreds of years, they are also famed for their fragrance and healing properties. Rose hips contain high levels of vitamin C and are used in products to treat a number of ailments. Rose leaves and petals are used to make tea, which is also said to have healing properties.
Roses are avilable all year roun. They are second most popular cut flower in the United Kingdom and one of the most loved worldwide. They are commonly given on St Valentines Day. The rose is the national flower of England and worn as buttonholes on St Georges Day.
Each colour of rose has it’s own meaning, in Victorian times they were often used to convey secret messages between lovers. Contrary to popular belief blue roses do not exist as a natural colour they are dyed to obtain a blue colour. There is also not a true black rose, ‘black roses’ are actually deep burgundy roses.
Red symbolises love and passion.
Orange and Coral stand for excitement, enthusiasm and desire.
Yellow represents friendship, jealousy or apology.
White means purity and innocence.
Light pink suggest youth and energy.
Dark pink stands for gratitude and grace.
Burgundy signifies unconscious beauty.
Lavender indicates love at first sight.
David Austin Rose
Old fashioned English garden roses have become available as a cut flower in recent years. These roses have large rosette shape heads with many petals, and most have wonderful fragrances. Spray roses feature several miniature heads on each stems. They are popular for wedding work such as corsages and headdresses.
Roses are used in all aspects of floristry due to their universal popularity and wide range of colours. Roses are very popular for wedding bouquets. With so many colours available you are sure to find a shade to complement any colour scheme.
Every rose variety has it’s own name, a florist often sells them by name as certain varieties are very popular especially at St Valentines Day.
Red roses – Extase is a deep red rose with a fabulous scent. Grand Prix is very large headed red variety.
Pink roses – Heaven is a small but perfect pale pink rose. If you prefer large roses Sweet avalanche is beautiful large pale pink rose.
White roses – Avalanche is a large headed white rose or Maroussia is a large scented white rose.
Lilac roses – Pacific blue is a lovely pastel shade or Cool Waters has pink outer petals with a lilac centre.
Vintage roses – Amnesia is a lillac/beige rose, Vendella is an ivory rose with an almost peach tone to it. Hypnose is a pretty dusky pink rose.
Sweet Avalanche Rose, Cool Waters Rose
