Rose Flowers: Everything You Need To Know
Roses are known as the classic flower of romance, adored by gifters and giftees for centuries. But what is it about roses that makes them so romantic? What do they symbolise, and what can you do to ensure that your roses last? At Freddie’s Flowers, we’ve popped on our rose-tinted spectacles to cover everything you need to know…
A Brief History of Roses
Roses are the flower to send when you just can’t find the words, but where does this idea come from? Roses have symbolised love and adoration for as far back as we can trace, with archaeologists having discovered rose fossils dating back 35 million years and ornamental roses from as early as 500 BC in Persia and China. Today, the oldest living rose is 1,000 years old.
While they’ve long been known for romance – with Cleopatra using them to seduce Mark Antony and the ancient Greeks associating them with the goddess Aphrodite – they’re also known to represent confidentiality. The Latin expression “sub rosa” (literally, “under the rose”) means something told in secret, and in ancient Rome, a wild rose was placed on the door of a room in which confidential matters were being discussed.
Roses are also the national flower of England and have been since the 1500s. The Wars of the Roses, a civil war between the royal house of Lancaster (whose emblem was a red rose) and the royal house of York (whose emblem was a white rose), is also a key part of British history.
What Does the Rose Mean as a Birth Flower?
As one of the birth flowers for June, roses are synonymous with elegance and grace, and those born in June are said to be passionate individuals with respect and honour. Pink roses are associated with happiness and admiration, while white roses have connotations of innocence and purity (more on these meanings below).
What Do Different Coloured Roses Mean?
What do yellow roses mean, and do pink roses have special meaning? If you need a refresher on different colour rose meanings to ensure you’re getting your special someone a bunch that means something as well as looks amazing, we’ve got you covered!
With the help of the Victorian Language of Flowers, you can say something different with your roses using nothing more than natural colours. Here is our simple guide to all the key rose colours and their meanings.
Red
Red roses are possibly the most popular symbol of love and passion in human history. They are universally synonymous with romance, evoking deep emotions and symbolising lifelong devotion.
Orange
With their bright and eye-catching hue, orange roses are synonymous with energy and desire. In some cultures, their popping colour can also be the perfect way to congratulate someone on their success.
Yellow
Capturing the light of the sun, yellow roses are (to no surprise) symbolic of joy and happiness. Just looking at them will bring a smile. They also make the perfect gift thanks to their association with friendship.
Green
Green is the colour of growth, and green roses have very similar connotations. Rebirth, abundance, renewal – they are the perfect way to celebrate a new beginning or fresh start.
Lavender/Purple
For a dash of the mysterious, lavender/purple roses are so intriguing. Associated with romance, mystique, and enchantment, they are the ideal flower for bringing wonder to someone’s life.
Pink
Similar to their red cousins, pink roses are associated with love, but their lighter shade is more symbolic of sweet, gentle admiration that’s elegant as well as exciting.
Peach
With their warm hue, peach roses are deeply symbolic of gratitude. Their inviting, eye-catching tone also conveys ideas of sincerity, modesty, and humility.
White
With a rich history of ever-evolving meaning, white roses have long been associated with religion and royalty, but today they’re also symbolic of innocence, young love, and truth.
Cream
Soft-hued and supremely elegant, cream roses are understandably symbolic of grace and charm. These roses are perfect for bringing class to any display.
Growing Roses
How to Plant Roses
In autumn or spring, plant your roses in a spot in the garden with healthy, well-draining soil. Plant them in a hole roughly twice the width of their roots and as deep as your shovel blade, then gently fill with a mix of soil and organic matter.
How to Care for Roses
In the garden, water your roses during dry spells and prune after their first winter to support healthy growth. For cut flowers, trim the stem at an angle and provide it with flower food. Remove any leaves that sit below the water line and keep them away from direct sunlight.
When Do Roses Bloom?
In the UK, roses bloom towards the end of spring, around which time they are ripe for cutting. Towards the summer, roses will be in full flower, sprouting continuously in the warm sunshine.
Arranging Roses: Finding the Perfect Match
Roses can be paired with pretty much everything! Although they add elegance to every arrangement they’re placed in, we do like to switch up what we pair roses with in our flower subscription arrangements, depending on the season.
In the summer, we love pairing roses with delicate spring-like phlox and stocks. In the autumn or winter, we blend them with blooms and eryngium (amongst others) and some lush foliage.
Order from Freddie’s Flowers’ Roses List
Now that we’ve covered what makes roses so iconic and desirable, why not order flowers that are brimming with romance at Freddie’s Flowers?
Subscribe to Freddie’s Flowers today or gift flowers to your loved ones and bring a quality of love and passion to their homes.
For some inspiration, check out our lookbook or take a look at our about us page to find out exactly how things work at Freddie’s Flowers.
Posted on 27th May 2024