Language of Roses: Colors, Meaning, and Longevity
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The rose is one of the most beloved flowers in the world, with each color carrying its own unique meaning. In this article, you'll discover the symbolism behind rose colors and get practical tips to keep your roses looking beautiful for longer.
The Rose: Flower of the Heart
For centuries, the rose has symbolized love, beauty, and passion. But did you know that each rose color carries its own special meaning? In this blog, you’ll discover the symbolism behind rose colors, learn how to care for them properly, and get practical tips for creating a meaningful bouquet.
The Meaning of Roses: Every Color Tells a Story
Roses come in many colors, and each one carries its own message. Whether you're giving a bouquet as a gift or picking out a beautiful rose for your home, it’s worth taking a moment to reflect on the meaning behind the color.
Characteristics of the Rose
Everyone knows what a rose looks like, but not everyone realizes that there are actually thousands of different species and varieties. The rose has conquered the world and, thanks to its popularity, it’s one of the most commonly used flowers in bouquets. But roses aren't just found in floral arrangements—they’re also a favorite in gardens, appearing as shrubs or climbing plants.
Did you know that some rose petals naturally curl and turn brown? That’s part of the rose variety and can create a surprisingly beautiful effect!
A Bit of History
The rose is one of the oldest and most beloved flowers in the world. Roses have been cultivated for thousands of years, originally in ancient Persia and Egypt. During Roman times, they became popular as decorative and celebratory flowers. In the Middle Ages, roses gained important symbolic meaning, such as during the Wars of the Roses in England. From the 18th century onwards, growers began crossbreeding different varieties, leading to the many modern rose breeds we know today. Roses worldwide symbolize love, beauty, and emotion.
Origin
The first roses likely appeared around 35 million years ago. People began cultivating roses about 5,000 years ago, mainly in ancient Persia (modern-day Iran) and China. From there, the rose spread to other parts of the world, such as Europe and the Middle East. Over the centuries, roses have been developed through crossbreeding and selection into the many varieties we have today.
Rose Colors and Their Symbolism: Choose Your Message Wisely
For centuries, the rose has been the flower of love, beauty, and emotion. It’s no wonder it’s the best-selling flower on Valentine’s Day. Roses carry rich symbolism that varies not only by color but also by the number of stems. Below is the meaning of the most common colors and quantities:
- Red Roses – Love and Desire: The red rose is the ultimate symbol of romantic love. The deeper the red, the stronger the passion you express.
- White Roses – Purity and New Beginnings: White roses stand for purity and are often chosen for weddings or as a comforting flower during farewells.
- Pink Roses – Gratitude and Admiration: Light pink conveys gentleness and admiration, while dark pink symbolizes gratitude. A lovely choice when you want to thank someone or celebrate them.
- Yellow Roses – Friendship and Joy: Yellow roses radiate warmth and are perfect for cheering up a good friend or wishing someone well.
- Orange Roses – Energy and Enthusiasm: A vibrant color representing pride, enthusiasm, and passion. Ideal for encouraging someone or putting them in the spotlight.
Combining Roses in Bouquets: Let Color and Meaning Work Together
Roses are not only beautiful to look at—they also tell a story. We often know the symbolism of a single color—red roses for love, white for purity—but did you know that combining colors can create an entirely different meaning?
By mixing colors, you can make your message even more personal. Whether you want to thank someone, declare your love, or celebrate a close friendship, the right combination of roses lets you express exactly how you feel.
- Red and White Roses – Unity and Harmony: A bouquet of red and white roses symbolizes unity, connection, and harmony. This combination is perfect for emphasizing the strength of a relationship—whether romantic or friendly. They are also often used as a sign of reconciliation.
- Red and Yellow Roses – Joy and Happiness: Red and yellow together express joy, cheerfulness, and excitement. Has something wonderful happened in your relationship? An anniversary, an engagement, or simply a milestone? Then red and yellow roses make a festive gesture full of positive energy.
- White and Pink Roses – Innocence and Admiration: Soft, subtle, and elegant: white and pink roses together radiate tenderness and admiration. Ideal when you want to gently show someone you care—whether it’s a new love or a special family member.
- White and Yellow Roses – Peace and Connection: This fresh and friendly combination stands for peace, friendship, and bonding. Perfect for a long-lasting relationship or as a token of deep appreciation—between colleagues, friends, or family members.
- Pink and Yellow Roses – Friendship and Gratitude: Want to thank someone for their support, presence, or cheerfulness? The combination of pink and yellow roses is a warm choice. These colors together symbolize joy, appreciation, and close friendship.
- Pink and Salmon Roses – Elegant and Loving: These soft, warm hues represent sweetness, elegance, and romance. They also symbolize admiration and happiness. Pink and salmon roses make a beautiful choice for a loved one and are often used in Mother’s Day bouquets.
- Red and Yellow Roses – Joy and Happiness: Red and yellow roses together stand for joy, happiness, and excitement. Has something special recently happened in your relationship? These colors form a colorful expression of shared joy and happiness.
A Rose Bouquet Says More Than Words
Whether you choose a single color or a thoughtful combination, roses always speak from the heart. By carefully selecting colors that match the message you want to convey, a bouquet becomes more than just beautiful—it becomes personal and meaningful.
Would you like to create a bouquet with symbolism? We’re happy to help you choose the right colors and combinations. Feel free to contact us or visit our store—we’re eager to assist you!
What Does the Number of Roses Say? Symbolism in Numbers
Not only the color but also the number of roses in a bouquet tells a story. One rose stands for love at first sight. Twelve roses mean: "Be mine." And if you give a hundred roses? That expresses eternal love. Choose wisely to give your message extra impact.
How to Care for Roses in a Bouquet? Tips for a Long Lifespan
Want to enjoy your roses in a vase as long as possible? With the right care, they stay fresh, beautiful, and radiant. Follow these simple tips for optimal results:
- Cut the stems diagonally: Use a sharp knife or scissors to cut the rose stems at an angle, preferably under water. This prevents air bubbles in the stems and improves water absorption.
- Remove the lower leaves: Take off all leaves that would be submerged in water. This prevents bacterial growth, which significantly extends the flowers’ lifespan.
- Change the water regularly: Refresh the water every two days and always add fresh flower food. This provides the roses with the nutrients they need to stay beautiful longer.
- Keep the flowers cool: Place the vase in a cool spot, away from direct sunlight, heating, or drafts. Too much heat speeds up the aging process of the flowers.
- Trim wilted flowers: Regularly remove wilted blooms and loose petals. This keeps the remaining roses fresh longer and maintains a well-groomed appearance for the bouquet.
Buying or Gifting Roses? Here’s What to Consider
Planning to give a rose or bouquet as a gift? Think carefully about the color, the number of stems, and the occasion. Adding a personal message makes your gift extra special. With a small gesture, you can express a big feeling.
Roses: Flower of the Heart – Classic and Timeless
Roses continue to inspire with their beauty and deep symbolism. Whether you’re giving, receiving, or growing them yourself, a rose always conveys something meaningful. Which rose will you choose?
Roses in the Garden: How to Keep Them Healthy and Encourage Abundant Blooming
A healthy, flourishing rose bush starts with proper care. Roses need extra attention during the growing season, especially when blooming, which requires a lot of energy. With the right nutrition and care, you can enjoy their beauty for longer.
Spring: Nutrition as Preparation
A nutrient-rich soil is essential for rose growth and flowering. In spring, the bush prepares for the blooming period in summer. This is the perfect time to provide extra feeding. Use a special rose fertilizer or organic fertilizers rich in nutrients to give your roses a strong start.
Summer: Continue Feeding and Pruning
During the summer months, it’s important to keep caring for your roses. A second dose of fertilizer mid-summer supports the plant throughout the long blooming period.
To stimulate flowering, regularly pinch off wilted flowers. This prevents the plant from putting energy into spent blooms and encourages the formation of new buds. Always prune just above the so-called ‘five-leaf’ — a leaf with five leaflets. The bud above this point is the strongest and ensures the bush can bloom abundantly again.
When and How to Prune Roses?
Pruning roses is essential to keep the plant healthy and encourage abundant flowering. By pruning at the right time and in the right way, you can enjoy beautiful blooms year after year. Here’s when and how to do it best:
When to Prune Roses?
Roses are pruned twice a year:
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Spring Pruning: In March or April, once the risk of frost has passed. Don’t prune too early, as frost damage to young shoots can seriously weaken the plant.
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Summer Pruning: During the blooming period, mainly to remove spent flowers and extend the flowering season.
How to Prune Roses?
The pruning method depends on the type of rose. Below are guidelines for the most common types:
Shrub Roses (Struikrozen)
- Use sharp, clean pruning shears and wear gardening gloves to protect yourself from thorns.
- Keep the thick, green shoots—they are where new roses will bloom.
- Remove old, woody (brown) branches down to a healthy green shoot or bud.
- Want to shape the shrub? You can also prune some young shoots back to the desired shape.
Climbing Roses (Klimrozen)
- Climbing roses grow from strong shoots emerging from the ground—these are the main canes (gesteltakken).
- After a few years, these canes stop blooming and turn brown. Cut them back completely to the ground.
- In spring, prune the side shoots of the main canes back to about 5 centimeters to encourage new blooms.
Rambler Roses (Ramblerrozen)
Note: These roses are an exception. Rambler roses bloom on old wood and should not be pruned in spring.
- Prune rambler roses immediately after flowering, usually around September.
Propagating Roses by Cuttings – Here’s How to Do It
Want to grow new roses yourself? Taking cuttings is a fun and cost-effective way to multiply your favorite rose. With a little patience and care, you can have a strong young rose plant within a year. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
When to Take Rose Cuttings?
The best time to take cuttings is after flowering, around late August to early September. The plant is still active but no longer needs energy for blooming—perfect for root development.
How to Proceed?
- Choose healthy shoots: Cut a few sturdy, young shoots from the rose. Make the cut just below a leaf bud—the point where a leaf grows from the stem.
- Remove lower leaves: Take off the lower leaves from the cutting, leaving one or two leaves at the top.
- Optional: use rooting powder: Dip the bottom of the cutting into rooting powder to give it extra energy to develop roots faster.
- Plant in potting soil: Insert the cuttings halfway into a pot filled with seed and cutting soil. Use a deep pot so the roots have room to grow.
- Place in the right spot: Put the pot in a sheltered location, out of the wind and away from direct sunlight to prevent drying out or burning.
- Keep moist: Since the cuttings don’t have roots yet, keep the soil moist but not waterlogged.
What Happens Next?
- In spring: When you see new leaf growth, it means roots have formed.
- Repotting: You can now carefully transfer the young plant to a larger pot or plant it directly in the garden.
- Encouraging branching: Prune new shoots early just above a leaf bud to stimulate branching, helping your rose bush grow full and lush.
With a little patience and love, a simple cutting can grow into a beautiful new rose bush. Good luck!
How to Transplant Roses
Transplanting roses requires proper timing and care to keep your roses healthy and blooming beautifully in their new spot.
When to Transplant Roses?
The best time to transplant climbing roses, standard roses, and shrub roses is in the fall. By then, the growing season is complete, and the plants prepare for winter dormancy. This gives their roots time to recover before the next growing season.
Step-by-step Guide to Transplanting Roses:
- Carefully dig up the rose: Use a spade to gently dig around the roots, keeping as much of the root system intact as possible.
- Prepare the new location: Choose a sunny spot in your garden that receives at least 4 hours of sun daily. Roses also need space, so ensure the shrub has enough room both above and below ground, and isn’t planted too close to other plants.
- Plant at the same depth: Place the rose in its new spot at the same depth as it was before. Planting too deep or too shallow can hinder growth.
- Care after planting: Water the rose thoroughly after transplanting. In spring, support the shrub with extra feeding and adequate watering to help it establish and prepare for a rich bloom.
- Extra tip: Give the rose plenty of space to grow. Rose bushes thrive best when not crowded by other plants. With the right location and care, you’ll be rewarded with a beautiful blooming rose that enhances your garden.
Want more advice on transplanting roses or rose care? Feel free to contact us or visit our store — we’re happy to help!
How to Dry Roses
Have you received a beautiful bouquet of roses for a special occasion, like Valentine’s Day, and want to preserve them as a lovely keepsake? Drying roses is simple and can be done in three easy steps:
Step 1: Tie a string around the end of the rose stem.
Step 2: Hang the rose upside down.
Step 3: Leave the rose hanging upside down until it is completely dry.
You can hang the roses on a clothesline or use a coat hanger. The drying process usually takes about 2 to 3 weeks. There are many ways to use dried flowers in your home décor — for example, you can frame them or place them under a glass dome. This way, you can always bring the memories of a special occasion back into your home.
Myths and Legends About the Rose
The rose is steeped in romance and mythology:
- Cupid: When he spilled nectar, the very first rose grew at that spot.
- Floral goddess Chloris: She created the rose as a gift from her beloved Zephyros.
- Aphrodite and Adonis: After Adonis’s death, the first rose appeared as a symbol of eternal love.
Would you like advice about roses or help putting together a meaningful bouquet? Contact us or visit our store — we’re happy to assist you!
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