Colours and shapes
When it comes to romance and the rose, there's an abundance of different ways to communicate your love. The flowers come in classic red, white, yellow and pink, plus purple, orange or green, bicoloured or multicoloured varieties. They grow both large and small, and with short or long stems.
Although it is a classic flower, the rose never feels worn out. Every year, dozens of new varieties are created by breeders, so the there's always an exciting new flower to place in a bouquet. Keep an eye out for unusual-looking grassheart roses, whose stem pushes through the flower to create a vibrant green centre.
Symbolism
The heart-shaped petals represent love and trust, while thorns remind us that love can also hurt. The gift of a dozen red roses may be the traditional way to show your love, but every shade has its own special meaning. Add some of the following roses to a bouquet to communicate your message, even when words fail you.
-
Red is for love and respect.
-
White roses mean true love, purity, dignity and chastity.
-
Pinks stand for happiness, gratitude and virtue.
-
Orange roses describe longing, appreciation and sympathy.
-
Yellow roses signify intimate friendship and solidarity.
Combinations of colours and pairings with other flowers also create new meanings. For example, white and pink roses express the wish to stay together forever. The presence of roses in a bouquet symbolises gratitude, and a single rose placed in a large bouquet lets the receiver know they're The One.
Origin
The Ancient Greeks, Romans and Egyptians discovered the beauty of the romantic rose, but the flower didn't achieve its current popularity in Western Europe until the 16th century. Since then, however, this timeless flower has never gone out of style.
