Valentine’s Day is a special day for love but can be a bit stressful for florists. For those buying flowers, it’s the perfect time to show their feeling to their loved ones. And what better way to do this than with roses? But here’s the thing: roses come in so many different colours, and each colour has a different symbolic meaning. So, let’s talk about what each colour of rose represent, so you can choose the right one for Valentine’s Day.
The meaning behind red roses
Red roses have long symbolised love and beauty. From historical paintings to Victorian-era gestures, they’ve represented deep affection for many centuries. Over the years, red roses have become the number one symbol of love. Today, gifting a red rose is like saying, “You’re my everything.” Here are some of our favourite red roses for Valentine’s Day:
Red rose 'Red Naomi'
Red Naomi, one of the most famous red roses, is also known as the ‘love rose.’ Red Naomi is a typical love rose that hits you right in the heart. This rose has a large head and can have up to 80 petals per flower. In addition, Red Naomi roses are the only cultivated red roses that are scented, the scent is subtle and sweet. Always a perfect choice for V-day flowers.
Red rose 'Explorer'
Rose Explorer has a deep red colour but sometimes a lighter undertone. Like every red rose they both symbolize love and romance. Some of the differences can be found in the colour, petal sizes and stem straightness.
Red rose 'Rhodos'
Rose Rhodos has an intense red colour, with a head size that is a bit bigger than the two red roses mentioned above. These roses typically feature medium to large-sized heads with a classic rose shape. The petals are velvet looking and have a long vase life. They are somewhat bigger than Red Naomi or Explorer which makes them stand out.
Red rose 'Freedom'
The quality of rose Freedom is very good, the stems and heads are strong, and they have a long vase life. This rose has a vibrant red colour that represents deep love, passion and desire. They have the remarkable ability to remain their freshness and beauty for a longer period.
Red rose 'Con Amore'
Rose Con Amore is a beautiful red rose with a classic shape. This variety has a long vase life and overall, this variety is not sensitive to mildew! The petals have pointy endings and a velvet touch.
The meaning behind white roses
White roses are associated with Valentine's Day due to their symbolic meanings of purity, innocence, and new beginnings. These roses are like a fresh start in a love story. It's a way to show sincere feelings and celebrate the start of a love story. So, while red roses are for passionate love, white roses are for a pure and innocent love, perfect for couples starting a new chapter together on this romantic day. There are a few white roses that are popular during Valentine’s Day, here are 5 of our favourites:
White rose 'Akito'
White rose Akito is known for their pure white petals, big heads, and long stems. These roses last a long time and have a nice smell, and their classic look adds elegance to any flower arrangement. It is the perfect rose for making stunning Valentine’s Day bouquets or to hand them out per one.
White rose 'Playa Blanca'
Rose Playa Blanca is very similar to rose Akito. Both roses have a very pure white colour, but the petals of Playa Blanca have a slightly creamier undertone than those of rose Akito. And what’s so special about this rose? It has a big head with a double-hearted centre.
White rose 'Mondial'
White Mondial is the big sister of Pink Mondial, a popular rose among florists. Rose Mondial has green-ish petals when they are freshly cut, but the more it opens, the more these green tones will slowly disappear.
White rose 'Avalanche'
Then the ‘it-girl’ of the white roses and one everyone knows: rose Avalanche. This rose has a pure white colour, long and straight stems, a long vase life, and overall, just look luxurious. An absolute perfect choice for a Valentine’s bouquet or other flower arrangement.
White rose 'White Naomi'
White Naomi is considered as a premium rose because of its beauty and generous petal count. It’s a perfect choice for a flower arrangement, wedding bouquet or in this case: a Valentine’s Day bouquet. White Naomi roses often have long, straight stems, pure white petals, a delicate scent, and a long vase life which makes them a perfect gift for a loved one.
The meaning behind pink roses
Pink roses symbolise gratitude and admiration. And that makes them a perfect choice or the people you appreciate most, like your friends, siblings or teachers. They can also be used to test the waters of a new romance, without being as serious as with red roses. Here are some of our top picks for pink Valentine’s Day roses:
Pink rose 'Christa'
Pink Christa roses are loved for their soft and gentle pink colour. This delicate shade symbolizes sweetness, admiration, and affection, making them a popular choice for expressing warm emotions. These roses have big heads and large petals. The outside of this rose has a light pink colour but closer to the centre it becomes a darker pink colour.
Pink rose 'Hermosa'
Hermosa roses are praised for their bright and vibrant pink colour. This eye-catching rose represents sweetness, gratitude, and admiration, making them a popular choice for expressing warm pink bouquets or just to hand them out per one stem. They have a long vase life and stay fresh and pretty… Pretty in pink!
Pink rose 'Flecos'
Pink rose Flecos is one of our all-time faves. The petals of this rose have a curled ending which makes them special and different than the usual pink roses. The colour and shape make this rose a true eye-catcher and cute to give to a loved one.
Pink rose 'Kiss me Kate'
This rose has a deep pink colour, and a name that’s made for Valentine’s Day. Just imagine handing these out to someone named Kate… It has a classic rose shape, but the colour is what makes this rose special, this rose would pair so good with a classic white rose like Avalanche.
Pink rose 'Aqua'
Rose Aqua is one of the brightest pink roses that we know off. The heads are a bit smaller, but this colour is everything! The colour aqua is often associated with serenity, calmness, and tranquillity. Aqua roses symbolize these qualities, making them an ideal choice for conveying a sense of peace and relaxation – perfect for a ‘low-key’ Valentine’s evening..
Now that we’ve discussed all types of Valentine’s Day roses, it’s time to get creative! Get your favourite Valentine’s Day flowers now and start making some floral art. Show us the creations you’ll make during the month of love on Instagram, and don’t forget to tag us @hoekflowers. We’d love to see the end results!