Garden rose stories for Valentine’s Day.
Meanings have been attributed to flowers for thousands of years. In fact, flowers have a language of their own. Looking back over history to Great Britain’s Victorian Era (1837-1901), people turned to the act of giving flowers to express their feelings. During this period, color conveyed the meanings and messages.
One flower—the rose—conveys the strongest emotions, perhaps more than any other flower. The rose has held significance in our psyche throughout millennia—in art, architecture, religion, literature and, ultimately, our hearts. It has also become the most synonymous flower associated with romance, so it’s no wonder that the rose is the first choice for Valentine’s Day. Yet, the rose does not have to be red to convey a message of true love. So why not celebrate the wider color palette of roses this Valentine’s Day?
The ‘Juliet’ (Ausjameson) rose is possibly one of the most recognizable, iconic and romantic cut flowers in the world, and it is the signature bloom in the David Austin collection. She defies all conventions with her apricot-peach aesthetic and unusual cupped form, where her petals are perfectly placed as she opens from closed bud to cupped bloom. The electric intensity embedded within these warm, gentle tones speaks the language of love in appearance alone.
A famous line, in one of the world’s greatest love stories, contains reference to a rose and is, coincidentally, spoken by William Shakespeare’s romantic heroine, Juliet:
“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose By any other name would smell as sweet.”
Red roses are undeniably one of the most universal symbols of love throughout the world. They say “I love you” in every language, so, naturally, they have become the most popular choice for Valentine’s Day. ‘Tess’ (Ausyacht) is the archetypal red rose—her color deepening and her petals taking on a velvety veneer as she develops, revealing a small cluster of golden stamens at her heart. She is a passionate and sophisticated leading lady who will make a dramatic impression on Valentine’s Day.
While red may be the classic Valentine’s choice, it does not have to be the only choice. More and more, we see consumers experiment, wanting to convey their own personalities through their choice of flowers.
‘Constance’ (Austruss) is a fairy-tale rose, with her feminine layers of outer pink petals dispersing in among her creamy central heart like watercolor paints across a canvas. Her strong and elegant fruity scent adds the finishing touches. So, while her color is delicate and understated, her impact is no less dramatic.
Fragrance has long been a gift for Valentine’s Day. It is deeply personal and can evoke strong memories with a single note. So, a rose with fragrance is the ultimate gift. Of all the roses within the David Austin collection, ‘Patience’ (Auspastor) has the strongest perfume, seducing with her intense, clean scent of Old Rose combined with lemon. Her many petals unfurl, revealing ruffles reminiscent of lace—a truly romantic gesture.
David Austin Wedding Roses are available to order throughout the year from all major wholesalers.
For more inspiration, visit @davidaustinweddingroses or davidaustin.com.
