White Roses are well-known flowers that embellish both a garden and a bouquet or flower arrangement that a bride wears or that adorns our houses. Because they are highly admired flowers, horticulturists have created different varieties for each time they highlight some distinctive feature that shows their beauty. I invite you to know its history, meaning and best-known varieties.
The White Roses
White roses are highly appreciated flowers to grow in gardens, due to the contrast of the colors of nature with the white of their flowers. Of course, to make bridal bouquets, white roses are highly coveted along with the flowers of the bridal veil plant. This is due to the resemblance of their flowers, although they are of different sizes. They are one of the best known flowers or what is believed to be known, because they have been present for a long time in gardens and flower arrangements.
Especially in floral bouquets for brides, baptisms and fifteen years, as white is the color of purity, trust and innocence. When the bride carries a floral bouquet with white roses, she is wanting to tell her lover that the love she feels for him is unreserved, that she will always be his best friend, and that she arrives at the wedding ready to team up with him and go through the marriage adventure.
History and Origin
White roses are part of Greek mythology, due to their relationship with the goddess of love Aphrodite, as they are the flowers that surround this Greek goddess when she emerges from the water. Likewise, white roses are also linked to our Heavenly Mother the Immaculate Virgin Mary, as they are the flowers that symbolize love, purity and innocence.
In the history of the United Kingdom, white roses along with red roses are part of the history of the throne of this European nation. The legend tells about the "War of the two roses", which according to what happened in the fifteenth century, between two great dynasties of that country that were fighting to reach the throne of England. These dynasties had their family emblems, the House of York had the white rose as its emblem and the House of Lancaster had the red rose. However, over time this conflict was resolved with the union of the two Houses and their emblem is the Tudor rose.
As well as this legend, the origin of the first white rose has multiple legends, one of the legends about the origin of white roses tells that the first rose was of this color and that it turned pink when blood fell on its petals. This legend accompanies him, the one that says that the white rose turned red, when it blushed when they kissed it.
Meaning
Currently white roses are much sought after by brides to make bouquets, bridal crowns and arrangements for the chapel and celebration hall, this happens because it is a flower associated with love, purity, elegance, harmony, innocence and peace. Also, white roses are part of more solemn moments such as funerals, because they are related to memories and spirituality.
They are one of the most used flowers for wedding flower arrangements. The reasons are various from how beautiful they are and also because of their various meanings, as they represent loyalty, dedication, love, innocence and purity. They say that her boyfriends give bouquets of white roses to her girlfriends because they symbolize the love he feels for her. Just as lovers gave them away to express confidentiality.
White roses, due to their meaning, represent what one person thinks of the other and the love, satisfaction and dedication they feel when they are by their side. Frequently, they are given to brides to symbolize total love and also to a loved one who is sick, to tell them that they are loved and that they are thought of for the restoration of their health.
White roses to give away
It should be noted that for flower growers and gardeners, white roses along with chrysanthemums and carnations are the most sought after flowers for flower arrangements. This is why they are one of the most gifted flowers for weddings and anniversaries. You can give from a flower or a bouquet and it will always be a good gift.
To give away at weddings
They are a good gift for weddings because they are the quintessence of flowers because of their meaning. These are used to make the flower arrangements for the decoration of the chapel, reception, the bridal crown and the wedding bouquet. Its meaning is the pure union that exists between the couple and their total loyalty.
To give away on anniversaries
For anniversaries it is quite opportune to scold white roses together with a gift card, with the certainty that the birthday party will feel special. We all like to receive beautiful gifts on our birthday, and whoever receives a bouquet of white roses on their anniversary and knows the meaning of this flower, will be very happy to receive them.
for funerals
Being a flower that signifies purity, white roses are considered appropriate to give at a funeral. This because it means the hope, promise and purity of heaven for the deceased. Bouquets made with white roses present at funerals, have this meaning in mind. In addition, they are flowers that represent a new path and condolences for the family of the deceased, affection and appreciation.
Varieties
Just as white roses captivate brides for being related by their purity and sincerity, they also captivate horticulturists who have developed various varieties, some being better known than others. The different varieties are considered white roses by biotechnologist growers and horticulturists, who are dedicated to developing the varieties or in English, breeders. So that you know them, I present some of these:
Rosal Alba Garcia
It was cultivated by Francisco Ferrer, this is a very prestigious Spanish grower who, in addition to propagating his own varieties, is responsible for the Meilland house in Spain. It is characterized by being a "hybrid tea" rosebush, with a spectacular white color. This variety Rosa Alba García, originated from the crossing of the Shocking Blue rosebush, a floribunda rosebush from Kordes and the Carta Blanca rosebush, was registered under the name Festro, its trade name is Alba Rosa. It is highly scented and is recommended for massifs in gardens.
Rosebush Laetitia Casta
The variety Rosal Laetitia Casta, is a hybrid of tea, the flowers are creamy white with the reverse of the pink petals. The size of the rose is 11 centimeters in diameter and has between 25 and 28 petals. It is a Meilland rose bush produced in 2010, it is unknown from which rose bush it was produced. Maintains its bloom throughout the season. They are recommended for cut roses and for planting them for hedges and borders.
Rosa Julio Iglesias placeholder image
This Julio Iglesias variety is a bicolor rose, the dominant color is cream white with red stripes. The crossed relatives to obtain this hybrid are unknown, produced by Meilland and presented in 2004, with the registration name Meistemon, its commercial name was placed in homage to the Spanish singer Julio Iglesias.
It is a rose that, according to its producer, exhales a strong verbena aroma from Madagascar, which smells of a strong citrus aroma. These roses grow in groups of 2 to 5 flowers, with a diameter of about 11 centimeters and 50 petals. It is a bush with a height between 80 to 170 centimeters, rustic with thorns. It is recommended for use as beds and borders in gardens.
Pink Winchester Cathedral
This hybrid was bred by David Austin, it is produced as a result of a mutation of David Austin's Mary Rose. It was registered with the name AUScat, in the year of 1998, its commercial name is Winchester Cathedral, as well as Winchester or White Mary Rose. This rose bush is the result of a mutation of the Wife of Bath and The Miller rose bushes.
It is a plant that is very resistant to diseases, the adult plant measures 120 centimeters, its flowers have a diameter of 8 centimeters and about 80 to 85 petals, its flowers grow in groups. When they are closed the buds are reddish, when they open they are tight white roses, with the aroma of old roses, honey and almond trees. Over time they can turn pink. They are recommended for hedges and as a solitary rosebush.
Rose Bush Sally Holmes
This Sally Holmes rose is a hybrid produced from Ivory Fashion and Ballerina roses, a Musk hybrid. In 2012, it received the "Favorite Roses of the World" award by the World Federation of Rose Societies. Its flowers are recommended as cut flowers, although they have few petals, from 4 to 8 in each flower. They are also cultivated as ornamental shrubs for the garden, due to their easy flowering. They are flowers that measure about 10 to 12 centimeters. Shade tolerant.
Rosebush Pierre de Ronsard
This hybrid is a climbing rose produced by the Meiland house, within the category: romantic roses. It was cultivated by Jacques Mouchotte in 1985, registered under the name MEIviolin, and is also known under the name Ende Rose 85, it has the trade name rose Pierre de Ronsard. In 2006, she received the "World's Favorite Rose" award. It is the product of the cross between Danse des Slyphes and the Pink Worder rose (this rose provided the characters: growth habit and part of its color).
It is a rosebush with an almost non-existent aroma, which in a period of just three years reaches its adult height, more than three meters. Its roses are between 10 to 13 centimeters in diameter, with about 70 petals per flower. It is a perpetual hybrid, its branches are flexible as it is a climbing plant. Its color ranges from white to pink.
rose pascal
The Pascali rose is the result of Hybrid tea cultivated by Louis Lens. This rosebush is a bush that reaches between 75 to 200 centimeters high and between 50 to 120 centimeters wide. They can be planted in places with low temperatures, since it is resistant to frost. Its flowers are tall and centered, its flowers have 30 creamy white petals. Its flowers turn whiter when opening and measure 10 centimeters in diameter. It has a slight scent.
Rose Iceberg
The Rosal Iceberg hybrid was cultivated by Reimer Kordes, from Germany, it is a floribunda variety of pure white color. It received the “Most Popular Rose in the World” award in 1983 by the World Federation of Rose Societies. If you go to a nursery that offers white roses, you are sure to find an Iceberg rose bush.
From this variety, which was originally cultivated with a bushy growth habit, the hanging varieties with tall feet and climbers named Iceberg Climbing, name in English and also as Fée des Neiges in France, have been obtained. It appeared on the market in 1958 under the name Schneeewittchen. It was registered as Korbin.
A gift from nature
In nature there are few plants with white flowers, if you observe almost all plants have flowers of various striking colors, with the aim of attracting insects or pollinating birds. This is why white roses are so special. Visually, white roses are very pretty, with a delicate appearance and a pleasant impact when you look at them.
Known white rose varieties range from pure white to light cream to light pink and greenish. Likewise, as it was presented, the varieties can be light pink or greenish in color when they are closed and when they are opened they appear white, this is because when they are open they show their full color.
Dutch Cut White Rose Auction
In the Netherlands, the Floraholland auction is held, in which white flower varieties can be obtained at low costs. For example, the Avalanche+ pink variety is auctioned every day in 3 different qualities: A1, A2 and B1.
Avalanche variety
It is the most produced variety of roses in the Netherlands and every day thousands of stems of this Avalanche variety are auctioned in that country. You can find different qualities and therefore different prices. Its coloration is a creamy white and it opens delicately. The flower has about 50 petals and a diameter of 5 to 6 centimeters, the stem measures between 40 to 100 centimeters. In the vase they remain alive for about 12 to 14 days.
At the Floraholland auction, you can get different qualities of this variety. The A1 quality is the highest quality, this rose does not have any defects. On the other hand, the A2 quality has a slight defect, since roses with different types of opening can be found in the same package. The B1 quality Avalanche rose has two defects, this is different opening points and crooked stems. These quality differences influence lower costs of these roses.
In addition to the Avalanche variety, other cheaper varieties with shorter stems of about 40 centimeters are auctioned. Some varieties are Akito or Alpe d'Huez, which have a smaller head, these can be found easily and at affordable prices. To know the characteristics of these varieties are described below.
Akito variety
This Akito rose variety has a pure white color, the size of its button is small. These characteristics make them appetizing to be used in bridal bouquets. The Akito variety can also be obtained in Africa, Colombia and Ecuador. It is a rose bush with flowers with 35 petals, which measure between 3 to 4 centimeters in diameter, the length of its stem, between 40 to 70 centimeters and, it remains open in the vase between 10 to 12 days.
Alphe D'Huez variety
This rosebush was produced by Jan Spek, the Alpe D'Huez variety is distinguished by having a medium sized button and its pure, pure white color. Its flower has about 40 petals, a size of 4 to 5 centimeters in diameter, the height of its stem measures between 40 to 60 centimeters, and it can remain in the vase for about 12 or 14 days.
Other varieties of roses that are auctioned in Holland are the branched white roses that are grown mostly on the African continent. They are roses with lower prices due to the size of their stems, which are few in demand in Europe, they are roses with short stems of 40 centimeters. However, in the Spanish flower trade they are highly sought after roses due to their price and type of flower. The varieties that are auctioned in Holland are Miss Bombastic and Jeanine.
Miss Bombastic variety
The Miss Bombastic variety is a spray rose with a large flower bud. Its very pure white color and when the button is closed it has the shape of a ball. Miss Bombastic rose measurements are for the size of its flowers 2-3 centimeters, with stems 40-70 centimeters tall and can be displayed in a vase for 10-12 days.
Variety Jeanine
This variety of roses is classified in the branched category, the Jeanine variety is pure white, it is small in size, since its stems have a length of between 40 to 50 centimeters. It is a considered closed rose that can be exhibited in the vase between 12 to 14 days. This Jeanine variety is easy to find because it is grown in large quantities.
Ecuadorian White Roses
The South American country of Ecuador is distinguished by producing and offering to the world flower market, varieties of white roses with larger flower buds, which consist of thicker stems, more vivid green foliage. Because of this, they are considered the highest quality roses produced on the planet.
In the Spanish flower trade, they can be purchased at a fairly low price compared to the Russian, Dutch, and even French flower markets. However, if you like long-stemmed roses, it is preferable that you purchase other varieties, since Ecuadorian varieties have an average length of their stems between 50 to 70 centimeters. Some varieties of Ecuadorian roses are Moonstone, Mondial, Polar Star, Polo, Tibet, Vendela and Proud.
Moonstone variety
This variety of Ecuadorian white rose is classified in the large head category. The petals of this variety have a slightly curly edge, the flowers have 55 petals, the size of the flower bud is 7 centimeters, with a stem that measures between 60 and 90 centimeters. In the vase they last between 14 to 16 days.
World variety
This variety of white rose began to be commercialized in the world market with great force a few years ago, being cultivated first in Ecuador. It is characterized by having its slightly curly petals and having 37 petals, it has a very striking appearance. In the vase you can display it between 15 to 18 days and you can find these roses with long stems between 50 and 80 centimeters.
Polar Star variety
This variety of white Polar Star roses has one of the largest buttons in the world flower trade, the diameter of its button is 6,8 centimeters; its white color is slightly creamy inside the flower and it has 43 petals. The length of its stem is between 40 to 70 centimeters, it can last in the vases between 13 to 15 days.
Pole Variety
It is a rose bush with a large flower bud with a diameter of 6,8 centimeters, with 43 creamy white petals, its stems can measure between 40 to 70 centimeters and last open in the vase for about 13 to 15 days. They fall into the categories: white, big head, equator.
Tibet variety
The Tibet rose variety is characterized by having a flower bud with a diameter of 6,2 centimeters, with pure white petals, the length of its stem is between 40 to 70 centimeters and they last in the vase for between 14 to 17 days. . They fall into the categories of the flower trade such as: white, large head and equator.
Sell variety
The Vendela variety has a creamy white petal color and is a rose with 37 petals, it is the most abundant variety of white roses in the cut flower trade. Its high yield and resistance have contributed to position the Vendela rose as a reference for white roses grown and produced in Ecuador.
Its admirers like it to make bouquets and floral decorations in white. They are roses with flower buds of 37 petals, with a diameter of 5,8 centimeters, stems between 40 and 80 centimeters long and open in the vase for between 13 and 15 days. Categories that are included: white, large head and Ecuador.
Proud variety
They are roses with a very large flora button or head, their button measures 6,9 centimeters in diameter, with 57 white petals; the size of its stem varies between 40 to 70 centimeters and they last open in the vase for about 10 to 12 days. They are very delicate roses, so care must be taken when transporting them for travel or when buying. It is very pretty in its opening. Enter the categories: white, big head and equator.
Care of the Bouquets of Roses
So that after buying some of the cut varieties of white roses, you find the ones described above or others in the market. It is suggested so that they last longer in the house, that the vase or vase is clean, as well as that the water does not contain bacteria, it is also suggested to have fertilizers for roses that you can buy at florists when you buy your roses and request that they inform you how use and how much to dose.
If this product is not purchased, it is suggested to apply 2 drops of chlorine or disinfectant based on quaternary ammonium, to keep the water clean for longer. This contributes to the duration of the bouquets of roses in good condition. Likewise, remember you have to change the water in the bouquet as many times as you think is appropriate, better if it is every day (avoid mosquitoes), cut diagonally every day 2 centimeters from the stem. So also remove the leaves from the stem so they do not touch the water.
Price of these roses
In the market, the most sought-after flowers are white roses and red roses, since they are highly sought after for making flower arrangements. Its cost can also be high in view of the high demand during the wedding season. The advantage is that there are many offers of different varieties of white roses and therefore with different prices as well, which adjust to the budget of those who are looking for them.
Its price is conditioned by the type of rose and the best paid varieties are the large head varieties of Ecuadorian origin. In contrast, African roses that come from Ethiopia and Uganda are cheaper because they have small flower buds.
I also invite you to read and learn about other plants, their flowers and care.