A joyful couple embracing with a bouquet of red roses, symbolising love and happiness. Fabulous Flowers and Gifts.

A Guide to Red Roses

🌹 Discover the Elegance of Red Roses! ♥️ The History and Symbolism of Love's Favourite Flower 🌹 Explore Famous Varieties 🌟 Tips for Perfect Rose Care 🌷 Emotions Expressed by Red Roses ✨ 

A Guide to Red Roses

Origin, Sentiment, and Care of Red Roses

The Timeless Symbolism of Red Roses

UPDATED JUNE 2024

William Shakespeare wrote, What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet. From the time of Romeo and Juliet to today, a red rose is the symbol of love and a classic romantic gesture. Today roses are everywhere. But they only grew wild in Central Asia. The Persians and Egyptians who later developed the varieties, found the wild roses.

A red rose in someone’s hand means socialism and social democracy for the UK Labour Party. Later other European and South American socialist parties adopted this form of symbol. In Greek and Polish languages the word for rose also means the colour red.

A woman with curly hair smiling joyfully, holding a red rose near her face, surrounded by scattered rose petals on the ground. Fabulous Flowers & Gifts

Famous Red Roses

There are many famous red rose varieties. Lancaster’s favourite red rose, possibly the first cultivated variety and the hybrid tea rose ‘Mister Lincoln’. Red roses are often used for romantic dates and Valentine’s Day bouquets. Red roses are often featured in a variety of floral arrangements, adding a touch of elegance and romance to any setting. For a unique gift a red rose plant stands out.

Types of Red Roses

Red roses come in many colours and many types. English roses, climbing roses, shrub roses, hybrid tea roses, rose bushes. But red rose bushes and shrubs are prone to diseases like black spots on leaves or flowers that don’t open properly. Using Orthene and Malathion sprays can keep your rose garden healthy.

A close-up of a person gently holding a bunch of red roses in a garden. "Garden Delight" Fabulous Flowers and Gifts

Emotions expressed by Red Roses

Giving red roses can express love, magnificence, bravery, admiration. Other reasons to give red roses are best wishes, appreciation, sincerity, passion.

A bouquet of red roses is the perfect romantic gift to express deep emotions and heartfelt sentiments.

History and Care

Fossil records show roses have been around since prehistoric times. Over 5,000 years ago the first cultivated rosesappeared in Asian gardens. Roses were introduced to Europe during the age of the Roman Empire and were used for decoration. Historians say Cleopatra scattered rose petals at Mark Antony’s feet and Nero released rose petals from the ceiling during banquets and feasts.

Red Roses in Folklore and Symbolism

The rose is England’s national flower. English folklore says if the petals fall from a freshly cut red rose bad luck will follow. The red rose is the emblem of the House of Lancaster and the flower of Eros and Cupid.

A red rose bouquet is often seen as a symbol of deep love and commitment, making it a popular choice for romantic occasions

When to give Red Roses

Red roses are the ultimate symbol of love and passion, perfect for many romantic occasions. Celebrate romantic milestones like anniversaries and Valentine’s Day with a beautiful bouquet that says it all. They are also great for expressing heartfelt sentiments on special days like Mother’s Day, birthdays, graduations and engagements. Or to mark achievements and moments of appreciation or as a sincere gesture of sympathy and support. Whatever the occasion Fabulous Flowers red roses will make it special and meaningful.

How to Keep Roses Long Lasting

Beautiful and lovely the red rose is the ultimate symbol of love. Proper care and maintenance are essential to ensure your rose arrangement remains beautiful and fresh for as long as possible. One rose means eternal love. Two roses of any size or colour taped or wired together means a commitment or upcoming marriage. Red roses are the most popular flowers to express love and have been loved by young men all over the world. To make your red roses last as long as possible requires effort.

After you receive your roses remove any water vials that came with them. These vials are a temporary water source during delivery and won’t keep your roses fresh for long. But don’t remove any floral wires attached to the rose stems as they are for support. Remove any leaves that will be below the waterline, be careful not to damage the stems. Injuries can let air into the stems and block water uptake.

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Preparing Your Roses

Leaves underwater will cause bacteria to grow and shorten the life of your roses and create an unpleasant odour. When preparing your vase always use warm water and a clean container. If possible add a floral preservative. Mix the preservative with room temperature water according to the package instructions. Floral preservative provides sugars, balances pH and limits bacterial growth.

When preparing your rose bouquet, it’s important to follow specific steps to ensure the flowers remain fresh and vibrant.

When preparing your red roses for an arrangement fill a sink or wide container with several inches of warm water. Holding each stem underwater cut about an inch diagonally off the end with a sharp knife or scissors. Place the roses in your container before the stems dry. Remove any outer petals that may have been bruised during shipping. Removing a few petals won’t harm the blossom and will help it open more. Just be careful not to force open or remove healthy petals.

Bridesmaids holding red rose bouquets at a wedding. "Bridal Elegance" Fabulous Flowers and Gifts

Displaying and Caring for Your Roses

Display your roses in a cool spot out of direct sunlight and drafts. A well-maintained flower arrangement can significantly enhance the beauty and longevity of your roses. Check your arrangement daily to make sure it has plenty of clear fresh water. If the water looks dirty after a couple of days replace it completely.

If some roses start to droop early air may be in the stems. Recut the stems underwater as before. Let the roses float on the water surface with the stems submerged and the rose heads upright. In most cases the roses will revive and harden within an hour. It’s worth trying to keep your roses fresh for longer. With care your red roses will bloom quickly and should last 5-10 days for you to enjoy.

Love all types of Roses

Red roses are timeless symbols of love and passion but they are not the only beautiful ones. With convenient rose delivery options, you can enjoy the beauty of fresh roses without leaving your home. Consider the delicate charm of pink roses or the vibrant colour of orange roses. When creating a stunning red rose bouquet add fresh flowers in a glass vase. White roses are elegant and perfect for same day delivery. A simple rose arrangement says it all and that’s why roses are the ultimate flowers for any bouquet. The beauty of flowers is that they can transform a room and add a splash of colour and romance.

A stunning arrangement of vibrant red roses. "Classic Red" Fabulous Flowers and Gifts

Creating a Garden of Joy

Gardens full of bright roses are a lover’s paradise. A well-crafted rose bouquet can add a touch of elegance and joy to any garden setting. Add a ribbon to your bouquet to enhance its colors and bring joy to the recipient. An expertly crafted arrangement showcases passion and long-lasting beauty. Pairing chocolates with roses makes for an unforgettable gift, perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re celebrating special moments or offering sympathy, roses express deep emotions.

A Garden of Bliss

Gardens full of roses are a lover’s heaven. Scattering rose petals throughout your garden can create a romantic and enchanting atmosphere. Add a ribbon to your bouquet to make it pop and bring joy to the heart of the recipient. A well designed arrangement says passion and long lasting beauty. Chocolates with roses is an unforgettable gift for any occasion. Whether you’re celebrating or offering sympathy roses say it all.

Check out some of our products in our Red Rose range

We have many more to choose from so you’ll find the perfect one for any occasion you desire.

Our red rose bouquet options are perfect for any occasion, offering a timeless and elegant gift choice.

My Valentine

Treat your lover or yourself to the ultimate gesture of love with our “My Valentine” bouquet. This bouquet is the ideal romantic gift to express your deepest feelings. This stunning arrangement is full of beautiful red roses expertly designed to make it breathtaking. Perfect for expressing deep love and making any romantic occasion special.

Look What You Made Me Do

Say it with the “Look What You Made Me Do” bouquet. This bouquet is a perfect romantic gesture to show your love and appreciation. This elegant collection of rich red roses is sophisticated and charming and perfect for anniversaries, special occasions or to tell someone how much you love them.

Red Roses of Love

Our “Red Roses of Love” arrangement will set the passion and romance alight. This arrangement is perfect for romantic occasions, adding a touch of elegance and passion. This beautiful bouquet combines deep red roses with lush foliage to create a harmonious and magical arrangement perfect for all types of love.

Versace’s Velvet Red Roses

Indulge in the luxury of ordering “Versace’s Velvet Red Roses”. This bouquet is an exquisite romantic gift, perfect for expressing your deepest emotions. This sleek bouquet has velvety red roses with striking foliage and is perfect for any occasion. Whether it’s a special celebration or just to say thank you this arrangement will wow.

Red Rose Greenery Bouquet

The “Red Rose Greenery Bouquet” is a classic, vibrant red roses with fresh green foliage. This bouquet is a charming romantic gesture, ideal for any special occasion. Perfect for any occasion whether it’s to celebrate a milestone or to brighten someone’s day with a touch of glamour.

Fifty Red Rose Bouquets

Make a big impact with the “Fifty Red Rose Bouquet”. This luxurious bouquet is the ultimate romantic gift, perfect for making a grand statement of love. This luxurious arrangement of 50 beautiful red roses says it all and is perfect for special occasions, anniversaries or to tell someone how much you love and miss them in a big way.

Choosing the Right Roses

When choosing roses mix and match to create your perfect bouquet. With our convenient rose delivery service, you can easily send a beautiful bouquet to your loved ones. Surprise someone special with a thoughtful pick and choose from a range of roses to find the one you like. Share the beauty of roses with loved ones, each arrangement says something different. The reason for buying roses is personal so every bouquet is special. Find the roses that work for you and take care of them. From the moment you order to the moment you put them in a vase roses bring life to any room.

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Why Red Roses

Roses have a long history and deep meaning so they’re perfect for love and admiration. Red roses are perfect for romantic occasions, symbolising deep love and admiration. They require a bit of TLC but the reward is breathtaking beauty and long life. Fabulous Flowers has a range of roses and care tips to keep your flowers fresh and looking their best. Celebrate life’s special occasions with the classic beauty of red roses from Cape Town’s top florist shop.