Names:
Rose Flower,
Rosa. 
 
Varieties:
There are hundreds of types of roses available. See photo 1 a through d for some of the more common types. 
 
Colors:
Available in most shades and colors, except no true blue. Varieties can be two-tone, multicolored striped, etc. 
 
 
Scent:
Traditionally thought to have a wonderful scent, most varieties available as cut flowers have no scent at all. Most of the garden roses or old-fashioned varieties have a wonderful fragrance, ranging from sweet to intense. 
 
Freshness:
Purchase or cut when the outer petals are just beginning to unfold. The middle of the rose should be slightly firm to the touch, with a closed swirl of petals. 
 
Vase Life:
5 days or longer. The old-fashioned varieties have a shorter vase life. Roses are generally used in their full-blown stage for special occasions such as weddings, but their staying power is limited at this stage. Try spraying your open blooms with "Crown and Glory," available at most florists. The blooms will have a fresh, dewy appearance and hold at this stage for a couple of days. 
 
Availability:
All year for tea roses. Summer is the season for the old-fashioned garden varieties.
 
Cost:
Most varieties - moderately priced to moderately expensive.
Garden roses - expensive to very expensive. 
 
Meaning:
Red is for love, pink is for happiness, white is for silence or innocence, yellow is for jealousy. 
 
Arranging Tip:
It is common to disfigure the rose to make it a more perfect specimen to sell as a cut flower, or to use in arrangements. Try to preserve the rose in its natural state by leaving on the outer petals and using the natural green leaves instead of a foliage substitution. The arrangements will appear more natural. See flower arranging tips, 8, 11, 13, 18, and 19. 
 
Growing Tip:
With so many different types of rose flowers available, check into growing techniques for individual varieties. One important general fact to remember when planting roses is, "the more sun the better." Roses are prone to mildew. Sunlight, especially early morning sun, will whisk away the moisture and help prevent this problem. Proper pruning is very important for bloom production, so trim away old wood in the spring to allow new growth and blooms for the summer.
 
Other:
See flower care tips, 4, 7, 8, 26, 31, 32, and 34

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