Types of Roses: A Complete Guide to Rose Varieties and Their Meanings
The rose is the most enduring flower in floristry. But not all roses are the same.
How Many Types of Roses Are There?
There are more than 300 species of roses and over 30,000 named cultivars. For gifting and floral design, we focus on about a dozen commercially significant varieties. Each has its own character, price point, and best occasion.
Long-Stem Roses (Standard Roses)
The most familiar rose. Grown for cut-flower markets in Ecuador, Colombia, and California. Available year-round in every color. Stems 40-70cm. Long vase life (7-10 days). Best for romantic gifts, anniversaries, funerals, and formal occasions.
Popular varieties: Red Naomi, Freedom, Grand Prix (red); Vendela, Talea (cream); Sweet Avalanche, Ohara (pink); Mondial, Akito (white).
French Roses (Premium Long-Stem)
A higher-tier long-stem rose selected for particularly large heads, saturated color, and long vase life. Grown to French luxury standards — more expensive but visually striking. Best for luxury gifting, weddings, and premium occasions where visual impact matters.
See our French roses collection.
Garden Roses
Old-fashioned rose varieties bred for fragrance, dense petal count, and cabbage-like blooms. Includes David Austin's English roses. Shorter vase life (3-5 days) but incomparable romantic character. Best for weddings, spring/summer bouquets, and gift occasions where fragrance matters.
Notable David Austin varieties: Juliet (peach), Constance (blush), Patience (cream), Purity (white), Beatrice (soft apricot).
Spray Roses
Small roses with 3-5 blooms per stem instead of one large head. More texture in arrangements, more petals per dollar. Softer, more romantic feel. Best for bridesmaid bouquets, mixed arrangements, and casual bouquets.
Wild Roses (Rosa Canina and Similar)
Simple five-petal roses that resemble their botanical ancestors. Less commercially available but occasionally used in wildflower-style arrangements. Best for informal, garden-style bouquets and rustic weddings.
Climbing Roses
Not used for cut flowers, but worth mentioning — climbing roses (like Rambling Rector, New Dawn) are the source of many cut-flower varieties. Cultivated for gardens and outdoor floral installations.
Popular Rose Colors and Meanings
- Red roses — romantic love, passion, deep respect. The universal rose. See red flowers.
- Pink roses — gratitude, gentleness, grace. Soft pink is tender; hot pink is enthusiastic. See pink flowers.
- White roses — purity, new beginnings, remembrance. Traditional wedding and sympathy color. See white flowers.
- Yellow roses — friendship, joy, warmth. Traditional gift for friends. See yellow flowers.
- Orange roses — enthusiasm, energy, celebration. Modern statement color. See orange flowers.
- Coral roses — desire, admiration, unique appreciation.
- Lavender roses — love at first sight, enchantment. Unusual and memorable.
- Peach roses — gratitude, appreciation, sincerity.
- Green roses — renewal, growth, rebirth. Modern and design-forward.
- Black roses (actually deep burgundy) — mystery, endings, farewell.
How to Choose the Right Rose
- Romantic anniversary or Valentine's: Long-stem French roses or David Austin garden roses in red or blush.
- Wedding bridal bouquet: Garden roses, David Austin, or premium French roses — depending on your palette and formality.
- Birthday for a friend: Yellow spray roses or a mixed color spray rose bouquet.
- Sympathy or funeral: White long-stem or garden roses.
- Just-because gift: Coral, peach, or lavender roses — unexpected colors that feel considered.
- Corporate or executive: White or cream long-stem roses in a substantial arrangement.
How Long Do Roses Last?
With proper care, most cut roses last 7-10 days. Garden roses last 3-5 days. Extend vase life by:
- Cutting stems at an angle under running water before placing in the vase
- Removing all leaves below the water line
- Changing water every 2-3 days
- Keeping vase away from direct sun and fruit (fruit releases ethylene, which ages flowers)
- Using the flower food packet that comes with the bouquet
Same-Day Rose Delivery in San Francisco
Flower Icon hand-arranges every rose bouquet in our SoMa studio. Same-day delivery available across San Francisco when ordered before 4 PM PT. See our roses collection or our same-day delivery collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most expensive type of rose?
David Austin garden roses are typically the most expensive commercially available roses because they take longer to grow and are more labor-intensive. Premium French roses are second. Standard long-stem roses are the most affordable per stem.
How many roses should I give?
Traditionally: 1 rose (love at first sight), 3 roses (I love you), 6 roses (thinking of you), 12 roses (be mine), 24 roses (I'm yours), 50+ roses (unconditional love). Modern florists tend to design by visual balance rather than number, but the number-symbolism tradition still holds for gifting.
What's the difference between garden roses and standard roses?
Garden roses have more petals (60-100+) creating a fuller, cabbage-like head. Standard roses have 25-40 petals with a more classic pointed form. Garden roses are more fragrant but shorter-lived; standard roses last longer but often have less scent.
Do roses have thorns removed before delivery?
Most professional florists strip the thorns from the visible portion of the stem before delivery to prevent injury and improve presentation. Flower Icon strips thorns on all rose bouquets.
