Valentine's Roses | Valentines Flowers

Valentine's Day Roses

"Roses are red, violets are blue" - we all know that old chestnut but roses really are more popular than ever before. As the saying goes, "To know a rose is to love a rose", and how true that statement is. Roses come in all colours, shapes and sizes. Flower shapes include the deep cup, rosette, double, tea rose and old English rose to name but a few however in floristry, the long-stemmed, spray and tea rose varieties are perhaps the most popular. Ever a favourite for weddings and special events, each rose variety is named with different varieties catering to different requirements.

The rose has always been valued for its beauty and perfume. The Ancient Greeks and Romans associated the rose with their Goddesses of Love, Venus and Aphrodite. In Roman times, a wild rose would be placed on the door of a confidential meeting place, hence the phrase "sub rosa" - or "under the rose” - was borne. The literal meaning still stands today; essentially "to keep a secret".

Throughout history, roses have been a symbol of love and beauty, respect and admiration. The close association between England and the rose stems from the Roman Invasion, when it is believed that the Romans brought with them the white rose - a real comodity in those times. The national flower of England - the rose - is also the emblem of two English counties; Lancashire and Yorkshire. The white rose of Yorkshire and the red rose of Lancashire gave name to the "War of the Roses" - a war which lasted some 100 years between the two counties.

On a lighter note, the Victorians held the rose in great admiration. As far back as the early 1800’s, one Victorian nursery was already cultivating and growing over 1500 varieties. Today however, there are a smaller number of rose varieties which have become the staple in floristry. First Red, Passion and Grand Prix are the most common at Valentine's Day, but here's a little information on other varieties you might see available from your local florist:

Grand Prix
A typical large headed, ruby red rose. Very traditional in its appearance, it is the embodiment of opulence. The velvet red flowers of Grand Prix are cut when the bud is just beginning to burst open. The splendid colour of the Grand Prix rose is long lasting, ensuring that the recipient will get the maximum enjoyment from their roses. With a typical stem length of over 60cm, this rose is a favourite for St. Valentine's Day and weddings amongst the discerning public. Its stem is strong and thick, covered with large, protective thorns which are often removed by the florist to ensure the recipient can enjoy their roses without the worry of catching themselves on a thorn!

Dolce Vita
Another opulent addition, the Dolce Vita rose has a huge pink head and petals rippled in shades of cream and white. Impactful, the joy of receiving a bouquet of these stunning roses begins the second you catch a glimpse of just a single flower head... and that's before you get chance to full admire these amazing blooms and drink in the sweet scent. Having earned a good reputation among florists across the country, Dolce Vita comes highly recommended in the flower trade. A strong stemmed rose, it is again perfect for a summer wedding bouquet or bridesmaid posy, but looks equally stunning in a contemporary vase at home. Its cream-pink petals edged in a darker shade of pink make this a distinctive rose which looks almost good enough to eat. Dolce Vita; a perfect name for a perfect rose.

First Red
First Red is a wonderful name for a wonderful red rose, commonly used throughout floristry and renowned for its long vase life. The First Red rose is often sold in an open state, and not "in-bud" as is the norm with some other varieties. This in no way affects the longevity of the flower, as the bloom is long-lasting, remaining beautiful for as long as it takes other varieties to open, blooms and even begin to wilt. Typical stem length is around 30cm, meaning this is not a "long-stemmed" variety, although in many applications this is not an issue. Wonderful in all manner of arrangements, from bouquets for Valentine's Day to flowers sent as an expression of sympathy; the large head, teaming with petals, is an impressive sight to behold. First Red is also one of the few thornless rose varieties, perhaps the primary reason they are so popular with florists.

Black Bacara
The Black Bacara rose is used throughout the floristry calendar, but is perhaps most popular for romantic occasions. The Black Bacara is indeed a fairy tale rose - deepest red in colour with a black velvet tinge to the petals. A variety which must be seen to be fully appreciated... and believed; this rose really is black! Anyone lucky enough to receive a bouquet of Black Bacara roses is sure to fall in love with their mystical and powerful effect. Wonderful by the dozen, this beautiful black rose looks stunning in contrast to vibrant, lush green foliage, as well as seasonal silver "foliage" and accessories, perfect for a sumptuous wintery bouquet.

Passion
A favourite amongst florists and popular for St. Valentine's Day bouquet, the Passion rose has a slightly smaller flower head than that of the Grand Prix rose. The Passion rose has perfect petal formation and a stem length of around 50cm. The rich red colour, traditional shape and medium size are the perfect recipe for romance. A fabulous flower for all occasions, the Passion rose is widely used throughout the floristry calendar. Recommended highly, this mid-priced rose will not disappoint.

Cool Water
Easily recognisable, its strong head and deep lilac petals make this a favourite for bespoke floristry occasions. A lovely strong rose, the Cool Water is a favourite amongst the discerning public and the experienced florist alike. A staple in high-end "luxury" and "designer" bouquets, its strong personality makes it a must for wedding work. With thick, solid stems and a long vase life, it's the perfect rose for all manner of occasions and applications.

Bianca
The Bianca or "Candy" rose (as it is more commonly known to many people) is a popular rose with an attractive, perfectly formed flower cup. Used in all manner of floristry and reminiscent of the pale pink shades of funfair candy floss, the Bianca rose is a best seller - and rightly so! Especially popular for weddings and birthdays, this is a versatile rose which is used throughout the year, in all types and styles of floristry.

Jade
An extremely unusual rose unlike any other, featuring pale, mint green petals. This variety is popular year-round and is most often seen in wedding flowers. More recently however, it has become quite fashionable and a favourite of interior designers, often seen on "home make-over" programs and in interior design magazines. This is perhaps because it is, when compared to the more traditional red rose, something completely different. While the beautiful mostly white Avalanche variety often has a hint of green, this variety is green without a hint of any colour; really quite amazing.

Avalanche
The Avalanche rose, or "Alba" - which literally means white - is a lovely rose with a large head, which soon opens up to display a mass of creamy, green-white petals. A popular flower for weddings, the Avalanche rose suits its name perfectly. One of the larger roses to be found in the flower shop, it is a high-end variety and is often priced accordingly. While not out of reach of most people, its opulent look and feel mean it does carry a premium. Popular, as is Cool Water, in more bespoke arrangements and bouquets, it is most commonly seen in corporate and bridal work. Despite being less common than many of the aforementioned roses, Avalanche is a long-standing favourite amongst florists worldwide.

Cezanne roses have an almost "antique" quality about them, but make no mistake - they are simply stunning in a fresh flower bouquet, or displayed in a pretty vase.

Cezanne
Cezanne roses are the darkest shade of pink - almost mauve - and feature an extremely delicate head with a narrow stem. Cezanne roses have an almost "antique" quality about them, but make no mistake - they are simply stunning in a fresh flower bouquet, or displayed in a pretty vase. A nice contrast to more bold, thick stemmed varieties, this vintage-feeling rose is not often seen, except in bespoke floristry. Rest assured, any good florist should be able to acquire this beautiful rose variety for you, should you wish.

Tea Roses
Tea roses are much more a type than a variety, favoured by florists and gardeners alike. Available in a veritable array of colours and styles, they represent excellent value and are available year-round. Most commonly seen in red, orange and yellow, they are also available in pink, white and several other colours. Available in single stem or spray form, which has several heads per stem, they are a charming rose ideal for a variety of occasions. Because they represent such great value, they are often sent as large, striking bouquets which in most cases are just beautiful.

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