Types and Meaning of Roses

What is a rose?

A rose is the symbol of love and beauty.

A rose is a perennial flower shrub or vine of the genus Rosa, within the family Rosaceae that includes over 100 species and comes in a variety of colors.

There are 35 types of roses; these roses are classified into three main groupings. The three main types of roses (groupings) are:

  1. Species Roses (1)
  2. Old Garden Roses (21)
  3. Modern Roses (13)

SPECIES ROSES

These are called wild roses and they have single petals and bloom only once in a season. The bush may be 6 to 20 feet. The most popular species roses are: Cherokee Roses, Dog Roses, Gallic Roses, French Roses and Red leaf Roses

OLD GARDEN ROSES

They are well-known for their heavy fragrance, but often only produce blooms once a year. They do, however, have a good hip production. e.g. hybrid perpetual six foot bushes in mostly pinks and reds. These became more famous in the 19th century for their scent and repeat blooming.

MODERN ROSES

These are the most common types of roses. This group is the result of cross pollination the hybrid tea with the polyanthus. Most roses in this class will flower repeatedly (with the proper care and very attractive).e.g. Hybrid tea, Floribunda, and Grandi-flora.

MEANING OF ROSES

  • Red- Sincere Love & Respect, Courage & Passion
  • Pink- Grace and Gentility, the rose of sweet thoughts.
  • Yellow- during Victorian era, yellow roses meant jealousy but today, they signify friendship, joy, gladness and freedom, the promise of a new beginning
  • White- Spiritual love & Purity, the rose of confession, the bridal rose; "You are heavenly", "I am worthy of you"
  • Lavender- Love at first sight and enchantment
  • Orange- Passionate desire, pure enthusiasm and fascination

NUMBER OF ROSES

  • 1 rose- Love at the first sight; you ARE the one
  • 2 roses- Mutual love between both, deeply in love with one another
  • 3 roses- I love you
  • 6 roses- I wanna be yours
  • 7 roses- I'm infatuated with you
  • 9 roses- An Eternal love, together as long as we live
  • 10 roses- You are perfect
  • 11 roses- You are my treasured one; the one I love most in my life
  • 12 roses- Be my steady
  • 13 roses- Secret Admirer
  • 15 roses- I am truly sorry, please forgive me
  • 20 roses- Believe me, I am sincere towards you
  • 21 roses- I am devoted to you
  • 24 roses- Can't stop thinking about you, 24 hours everyday
  • 33 roses- Saying "I love you" with great affection
  • 36 roses- I will remember our romantic moments
  • 40 roses- My love for you is genuine
  • 50 roses- Regretless love, this is
  • 99 roses- I will love you for as long as I live
  • 100 roses- Harmoniously together in a century; remaining devoted as a couple till ripe-old age
  • 101 roses- You are my one and only love
  • 108 roses- Please marry me!
  • 365 roses- Can't stop thinking about you, each and everyday
  • 999 roses- Everlasting and Eternal love

 Sources:

Last Updated: 14 February 2011
by Zanele Matshotyana