One of the most revered and popular flowers ever is the rose. Roses are incredibly versatile flowers that come in myriad colors, sizes and varieties. They make wonderful gifts for any occasion from celebrating the birth of a baby, honoring Mom on Mother’s Day or memorializing someone who has passed away. There are hundreds of different types of roses and many have special meaning based on tradition or lore. If you are like many people, you love the way roses look, smell and hold up in a variety of conditions. With just a bit more research, you can choose a gift that is not only sweet, but also very meaningful to the person who receives them.

Color usually dictates the meaning behind different roses. Some of these include:

Red – Love, Romantic Love, Passion

Deep Burgundy – Beauty

White – Purity and Innocence. For brides, white roses mean “Happy Love”

Pink – “Thank you”, Gentleness, Grace

Light Pink – Sympathy, Joy, Sweetness

Yellow – Friendship, Promise, Remember Me,  Jealousy

Orange – Desire, Enthusiasm

Red and White (together) – Unity

Red and Yellow (together) – Happy Feelings

Peach – Sincerity, Gratitude

Coral – Feelings of Desire

Lavender – Enchantment

Blue – Unattainable

As for different rose varieties, your florist can help you find the perfect rose for every occasion but a classic choice is always the long-stemmed rose. They make a dramatic statement and can be arranged in a tall vase or trimmed down for shorter, more understated look. Loose stems can be put into a vase for an instantly beautiful, striking addition to any room or office and are virtually foolproof when it comes to arrangement of these flowers. When placed with sleek greenery or elegant calla lilies, the affect becomes even more intense and stunning than a single-flower arrangement. A hand-tied rose flower bouquet can also be carried over one arm for special events such as graduations, proms, debutante balls and weddings. And rose sprays are mainstays at funerals and memorial services.

Tell someone you love them, want them, need them, think they are beautiful or feel gratitude for them with the gift of roses and you have made a fantastic choice. The universal appeal and femininity of roses is in sharp contrast with the flower’s thorny stems and hearty nature. Perhaps this is part of the appeal for rose lovers. Just like people, roses are not what they seem at first glance and offer admirers more than meets the eye.

What to do next? Buy your flowers from our Toronto Flower Shop.