We’ve downplayed the romance of roses.  I had yet another bride tell me that she isn’t a fan of roses.  While it’s not uncommon for me to hear, it is somewhat disheartening.  I can’t use ANY roses in your arrangements?  I think we’re sick of seeing tightly wound bunches sadly wrapped in cellophane, thrown together with a couple sprigs of baby’s breath and being advertised as something we should love.  However, when I think of all the beautiful blooms that you’re excluding, it’s somewhat heartbreaking.   There are so many great varieties beyond the typical South American blooms we associate with the word “rose” leaving so many flowers behind that we’re simply not appreciating.

I love creating with roses.  I love pulling the center petals from the little spray roses to reveal the cute little stamens hiding inside.   The way a garden rose can transform from a tight, round bud to a glorious bloom layered with ruffles and frills is really exciting.  And I want to share this with you.

Picture: Heather Cisler Photography

The yellow rose – a symbol of friendship.  I could stay friends with these lovelies all day long.  What you see here is an American grown, buttery yellow California bloom paired with a yellow Finesse rose – which is a standard variety but they have a softer, almost ruffly texture on their outer edges making just a touch more fancy.  The butter tones accentuate those found in the ivory spray roses on the left and who can resist adding a couple of tulips and ranunculus to the mix!?

Picture: Kelly Sweet Photography

I created this bouquet for a bride who had her heart set on peonies.  There’s no doubt that peonies are one of my all time favorites and I’m hopeful for the day that they’re available year around… or maybe it’s the fact that they’re not that makes them so special.  Either way, I wasn’t able to accommodate my October bride’s wishes.  However, I don’t think either of us were too disappointed by the results.

I had the roses shipped in from Oregon, which made them extra special. The large ivory ones (Helga Paiget) were especially my favorites as some blooms had just a touch of pink accenting their outer petals.  And when they opened it was pure magic.  Layer upon layer of delicate petals were revealed.  They were placed next to the Romantic Antike roses (the coral-y pink ones).  Those too are extraordinary in their own way.  While closed, they are a beautifully round bud and opened, they flatten out with a swirling petal arrangement that leads to a golden center.  Also shown are a few delicately sweet Champagne roses in blush tones and some PeeGee hydrangeas with peach stock.

Picture: Ashley Slater Photography

I’m not sure what what exactly inspired this combination of roses.  The Caramel Antikes and the red garden roses (which the grower considered brown) were shipped to me from California (on a side note… I would love to source more roses from Michigan, anyone want to recommend a grower to me?) and the pale blush/beige one of the left in fact is a South American Quicksand rose.  I just threw these in a vase together with some chocolate cosmos and grabbed a couple leaves off a bush in my backyard but I loved the results!

Still think roses are boring?  If you still don’t like roses, I understand and will not force my preference upon you.  But with so many varieties, colors, sizes and design options I really think we should reconsider.

“That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” – Shakespeare

0