Roses are undeniably the most popular flower in the world, beating out 400,000 other types of flowers for this enviable title—quite an incredible feat! We all love roses, but why? Nearly everything about this species is flawless. And just when we thought it couldn’t get any better, breeders came in and created the modern garden rose, and nothing has been the same since!
The Grand History of Roses
Before we get into the garden roses of the present, let’s head way back to understand how we got here. Roses are one of the world’s oldest flowers known on the planet. In fact, a rose fossil was found that dates all the way back to around 35 million years ago. How have roses lasted such a long time? Because roses are much more than just beauty.
Roses are edible flowers and are also extremely popular as a perfume scent. To extract one gram of rose oil, though, takes around 2,000 roses, so many popular “rose-scented” perfumes are actually made with similarly scented oils (such as geraniums) as they produce more oil. Roses come in a wide variety of colors including red, white, pink, yellow, orange, purple, blue, and more—pretty much every color besides black, and each color has a different meaning behind it. If properly cared for, roses can actually live more than 30 years.
Types of Roses
Today, there are more than 300 different species of roses, and each type is beloved for a unique reason. Roses are like the perfect red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting whipped to perfection. Now, enter the garden rose. Garden roses are just like a scrumptious red velvet cake but with more flavor and more than a hundred cake layers. While you may get too full on a cake like that, if you’re anything like us, you can never have too many petals! Read on for a breakdown of the main differences between standard roses and garden roses. We’re sure you’ll be back for another helping!
Standard Roses Versus Garden Roses: A Breakdown
There are over 150 species of roses and each one has marked differences. We’d need a whole book to cover what makes each species unique, so, instead, we’ll cover a more general look at what makes the garden rose distinct.
The Look
Standard roses have pointed petals that are tightly wrapped into one center bloom. On the other hand, a garden rose has various swirls of softer petals that come together to create a large, round flower head. In terms of overall look, garden roses are often more similar to peonies than a standard rose.
Number of Petals
Most rose species have 4 to 5 petals, whereas a garden rose, depending on the variety, can have anywhere from 50 to 120 separate petals per flower! This is what gives the flower its distinctive rosette shape and what makes it such a standout.
Scent
Garden roses are purposely bred for their mesmerizing scent. The aroma of a garden rose depends on the variety but can be anything from honey, myrrh, lavender, and fruit to citrus or even pumpkin pie.
Durability
Garden roses are a bit softer and more vulnerable than the standard rose. Keep this in mind when you are handling garden roses to ensure a longer vase life. Note that garden roses grown at a higher elevation (like on our farms in Colombia) have stems and petals that are typically stronger than garden roses grown at a lower elevation.
Where You Can Find Them
While you can easily find standard roses at your local grocery store, garden roses are much more exclusive. They can be special ordered, bought at auction, or found in a luxury flower subscription, like that of Enjoy Flowers.
Varieties Featured at Enjoy Flowers
Enjoy Flowers features some of the most sought-after garden roses in the world:
David Austin Patience ®
This variety of garden roses is very much worth the wait. These stunners have ivory petals with a classic creamy center and pops of buttery yellow swirling outwards. Within its 6-day blooming period, the Patience grows from 1.5 inches all the way to 4.6 inches. It also boasts a 165 petal count and has an intensely fresh lemon fragrance.
David Austin Purity®
We’re purely in love with this garden rose that features 90 petals and opens all the way up to 5.3 inches—yes, almost half a foot! The color palette is a blissful marriage of peach, blush, and cream feather-like petals that grow into a cupped rosette form. The Purity exudes scrumptious hints of rosewater essence.
David Austin Keira®
Can’t choose your favorite rose color? The Keira has an enviable marbled coloring of pearl and a delicate pink, so you don’t have to choose. This flower’s 100 petals open up to 4.8 inches and smells of myrrh with hints of almond and vanilla. Yum! Between its hypnotic scent and its blended colors, this variety is perfect for weddings and other romantic occasions.
See It to Believe It
Garden roses are some of our clients’ favorite fresh flowers and it’s oh-so-easy to understand why. To fully appreciate the wonder that is a garden rose, it must be witnessed in person. How? By trying a one-time bouquet or a monthly subscription from our elegant Designer Collection which features luxury varieties like the David Austin® Roses, Protea, Charmelia®, Scabious, Lilies, and more!
With this collection, you’ll enjoy monthly deliveries of exclusive flowers that arrive directly from our sustainable farms in Colombia to your front door. With 30 to 35 stems per bouquet, each monthly delivery can be used to create one enormous arrangement or 2 to 3 smaller, yet full bouquets to decorate your home, office, or even serve as a gift for your favorite neighbor (lucky them!).
