The queen of flowers, the rose can be found from the tropics to the Arctic, with approximately 125 species growing in the wild. This perennial is one of the birth flowers for the month of June. However, on a personal level these beauties may be enjoyed throughout the year.

Roses in History…

Most of these five-petal blossoms are believed to be indigenous to Asia, with a few being native to Europe, Africa, and North America. They have been a symbol of love, sanctity, and gratitude.

During the Middle-Ages, Christians associated these flowers with the injuries of Christ, which they conceived were five wounds. The religious theme continued as believers also assigned these blooms to the Virgin Mary and martyrs.

Napoleon’s wife Empress Josephine was so enthusiastic about roses, the term “rose garden” was attributed to her after she collected and planted a variety of rosebushes at their estate. The fame of her handiwork drew attention and many followed her lead. Hybrid rose gardening became all the rage among flower breeders.

Signs of Color…

The soil, climate, nourishment, and how much sunlight the bushes receive can dictate the color of roses. There’s a beautiful range of tints and shades that nature provides to appeal to the most refined taste. Over the years there has been a mixture of terminology for what the colors indicate. Listed below are some of the meanings.

Red – Love, Bravery, Admiration

Dark Pink – Happiness, Acknowledgement, Gratitude

Light Pink – Kindness, Loveliness, Pretty

White – Purity, Innocence, Divinity, Tranquility

Yellow – Rejoicing, Bliss

Orange – Enchantment, Warmth

Be Observant…

There are simple steps you can take before buying your roses to ensure you’re getting your money’s worth.

• Gingerly press the roses where the petals and stem intersect. How do they feel? If they’re too spongy or yielding they may have been hanging around the shop too long and have seen better days.
• Make sure to look at the leaves and petals. If they are turning brown around the edges, this may be another indication that they are old.
• Are the roses brilliant in color or do they have a dull appearance to them? What about the petals, are they completely open? This may suggest they’ve already gone through their blooming period and don’t stand a chance of flowering once again.
• Look at the stems; make sure they aren’t wilted. Their structure should be straight and feel firm.

Keep Them Lovely Longer…

After you’ve bought or—even better—received your roses, it’s time to prep and showcase them. You’ll want to get them into water as soon as possible so they can thrive.

• Remove all the leaves that would have a tendency to be underneath the waterline. Foliage covered by water causes decay, which will result in a build up of bacteria and eventually slimy water. This could have a negative affect on the life of your flowers.
• With a sharp knife or pruning shears cut the stems at a slant, this supports more surface area for the roses to take in more water and keeps them from just laying on the bottom of the vase. Be careful when cutting so you won’t damage or crush the woody exterior of the stem.
• Place the flowers in a scrupulously clean vase filled with cool water; you don’t want them ruined by developing microorganisms. Make sure there’s plenty of room in your container so your stems aren’t crammed together.
• To preserve the life of your roses, give them flower food. This furnishes nutrients to keep them healthy. Changing the water every other day will help keep it fresh. Also, at this time you may want to give the stems a little snip to rejuvenate the plant tissues and aid in your roses’ ability to absorb more water.
• Keep your precious roses away from direct heat such as heating vents, fireplaces, or direct sunlight. Also don’t freeze or expose them to extremely cold conditions. These elements can dehydrate or cause freezer burns, destroying the flowers.
• Don’t place your blossoms too close to fruits. The natural ethylene gas that they emit will cause your flowers to age or “ripen.” This will decrease the amount of time you’ll have to enjoy your roses.

Buy from a Reputable Dealer…

When purchasing roses it would be wise to do business with a reputable dealer. This means a merchant who’s known for offering excellent service to their customers over the years. You can trust that they wouldn’t still be in business if they didn’t provide reliable good products and value.

For instance, when you choose to have roses delivered for a whole year, accompanied with a different greeting card for each month, imagine the sheer delight of the receiver. You won’t have to struggle to find the right gift again. They can look forward to a pleasant surprise of velvety beauties arriving just for them. It’s like having the essence of summer throughout the year.

This is just one of the many quality items that Nanz and Kraft Florists have to offer, family owned and operated since 1850 and still going strong….