 The Rose
- The Queen of Flowers Blossoms
in Summer Arrangements
(ARA) - You can't help but notice
that roses are blooming all over. During the summer months, this
ever-popular flower, also known as "The Queen of Flowers,"
is at the height of blossoming. With almost 120 varieties available,
roses are a classic favorite, ranking as the number one choice
of almost 85 percent of flower buyers and receivers.
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Whether your taste leans to the
subtle, the flamboyant or the delicate, there is a rose to please,
say the floral experts at 1-800-FLOWERS.COM.
While the red rose may be the
first to come to mind, a rainbow of colors exist, including cappuccino,
butterscotch, melon, sunshine and ballerina slipper pink. And
if you're bashful, at a loss of words or simply looking for a
novel way to convey a special message, each rose color has a
special meaning. What's more, when several colors are combined
in one arrangement, your bouquet can speak a whole sentence instead
of just one thought. Here are some color meanings:
* Red roses say love, beauty
and respect
* White roses are symbolic of reverence and humility
* Light pink roses are a sign of admiration
* Dark pink roses show appreciation
* Yellow roses are a traditional symbol of friendship
* Orange roses communicate desire
* Red and white roses signify unity
* Rose buds symbolize beauty and youth
* Rose bouquets in full bloom symbolize gratitude
* Dark crimson roses symbolize mourning |
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And with summer celebrations,
including graduations, proms, Independence Day, family reunions,
anniversaries or birthdays, where there's a rose, there's a way
to send a message!
To arrange these gorgeous
flowers, follow these simple rules:
* Arrange the flowers in a deep-vase
filled with cool water and then mix in the floral preservative
provided by the florist.
* Remove all leaves from the
stem that fall below the waterline in the vase as they will promote
bacterial growth.
* Use a knife or shears to cut
an inch from the bottom of the stem while holding it under water.
This allows the stem to draw in the water instead of air.
* Keep cut flowers and arrangements
looking fresh by adding cool water to the vase every day. Always
keep the vase full and change the water every three to four days.
* For maximum longevity, cut
the stems whenever you change the water and keep the vase in
a cool spot.
The rose is also an ideal flower
to dry and use in arrangements, wreaths and other projects. The
easiest method is air-drying, which only requires a dry, warm
room with plenty of circulating air. Stems can be dried individually
or in small bunches, upright, laid flat or hung upside down.
It's as simple as that and you can fill your home with beautiful
blooms all year long. |
