Roses Archives

What Are Preserved Roses?

Few gifts can compare to the beauty of a dozen roses, tied with gorgeous ribbon, sent to the one you love. After all, ever since the 19th century, couples have sent bouquets as a clear message of love.

But preserved roses, otherwise known as Magnificent Roses, or “Mag Roses” for short, may just be the elevated gift that rose lovers have been looking for all these years.

In fact, it’s hard not to be impressed by the meticulous process it takes to produce these magical blooms. And, while cut roses last for about one week, preserved roses, which are a form of dried roses, can last for a year — or more.

“Florists want to deliver roses to recipients that are open but not too open,” says Danielle Gallagher, senior director of product development at 1-800-Flowers.com. “Preserved roses, on the other hand, arrive all the way open. They’re in the most beautiful state, and then they’re preserved. You’re getting this glorious specimen of a rose.”

Production line

Creating these long-lasting roses is a multi-step process that begins when expert artisans in Colombia and Ecuador harvest the roses at their ideal point of beauty.

Next, these freshly harvested roses undergo a complex and precise proprietary preservation process. To start, Gallagher explains, they’re placed in a mixture made from glycerin and other plant elements. That liquid gradually rises through the trunk of the rose until it completely substitutes the sap. Within a few days, the rose is preserved and will last for months.

“These roses are the best gift. They’re pruned to perfection and picked at their premium.”
Danielle Gallagher, senior director of product development, 1-800-Flowers.com

Then, while on the production line, the roses are closely inspected for any flaws. Finally, they are placed in decorative round hat boxes or Lucite containers, which come in one-, two-, or three-dozen sizes.

“The people on the production line hand-check every single stem and place them in these gorgeous hat boxes with precision,” Gallagher says. “They use tweezers to put them in there; the amount of care and attention they put into making these is incredible. They take a lot of pride in their craft.”

In addition to boxes and containers, a traditional glass cloche can also house preserved roses — or a single one, to be exact. This presentation features petals on the bottom of the case and arrives in a decorative black gift box with coordinating red ribbon and gold logo for the ultimate romantic gift.

Preserved roses gift ideas

preserved roses Magnificent Roses Preserved Red Roses — Magnificent Roses® Preserved Red Roses

preserved roses Magnificent Roses Preserved Kaleidoscope Reflection — Magnificent Roses® Preserved Kaleidoscope Reflection

preserved roses Magnificent Roses Preserved I Love You — Magnificent Roses® Preserved I Love You

Tips for taking care of your preserved roses

To the delight of anyone receiving preserved roses as a gift, taking care of them is super simple and requires very little effort. Handle them with care and avoid exposing them to direct sunlight, humidity, and water. And don’t worry if yours lack a fragrance: While some preserved roses do have a scent, the ones 1-800-Flowers.com sells are odorless.

“Just keep your pets away from them and be sure not to place them in the front of a window in your home,” Gallagher adds. “And keep them in a cool spot.”

Best of all, there’s hardly any maintenance required — no changing out the water, or pruning or trimming dried leaves. If they get dusty, Gallagher advises simply removing the dust with an air sprayer or a hair dryer, or dusting the petals with a soft cloth.

preserved roses woman holding open box of lavender roses

An extra special touch

For Gallagher, what makes the Magnificent Roses such a delightful and romantic gift is the quality of each and every rose in the order. The fact that they’re picked at the moment of perfection and they’re alive makes them even more unique than dried flowers.

“Even with the preserving process, these are a living piece,” she says. “That’s what I find so incredible about these gorgeous roses.”

In addition, Mag Roses are available in many colors, including red (a top performer), pink, lavender, blue, black, and even kaleidoscope, which comes with every petal died a different color.

“These roses are the best gift,” Gallagher says. “They’re pruned to perfection and picked at their premium.”

After all, it’s that care and attention to detail that can take an everyday gift and make it special and unforgettable. And a symbolic gift of roses — in any form — will let the person receiving it know how magnificent they are.

Types of Roses: How to Identify and Care For Them

Roses are the royalty of the flower world, having been cultivated for over 5,000 years. These beautiful flowers have long been used as garden ornamentals and cut flowers, and made into perfumes, flavorings, condiments, medicines…even ice cream! They have had an honored place in art, literature, and movies, and are prized as much for their appearance as for the deep and heartfelt emotions they conjure up.

There are around 150 wild species of roses and a staggering 30,000 cultivated varieties. Organizing them all can get complicated, so this article will try and simplify how types of roses are categorized and highlight the distinct characteristics of each kind.

Types of roses by category

Roses can be sorted into three groups: species roses, old garden roses (before 1867), and modern roses (after 1867). They can also be grouped informally into categories by their growth habits (more on that later).

Species roses

These wildflower roses are the ancestors of old garden and modern roses. Most are native to Asia, but others come from Europe, North America, and northern Africa. They generally bloom once a year and have simple flowers with five flat petals and a strong fragrance. Many are grown as garden flowers, some are involved in the hybridization of new varieties, and still others are used as rootstocks because of their vigor and hardiness.

Types of species roses

Lady Banks’ rose (Rosa banksiae)

Originally from China, this rose has small, light-yellow flowers that grow in bunches at the ends of its long, arching branches and have a sweet, violet-like scent. It is an evergreen, thorn-less, shrubby vine that can grow 20 feet high and blooms earlier than most other rose species. It is often grown as an accent or border plant, or against a support, such as a fence.

Musk rose (Rosa moschata)

Native to the Himalayas, the musk rose is a medium-sized rambler that can grow to 10 feet tall. It has simple white flowers with yellow centers that grow in loose groups at the ends of the branches and bloom repeatedly from spring to fall. The musk rose does well as a hedge or border plant, or in a wildlife garden.

Prairie rose, Virginia rose (Rosa virginiana)

The prairie rose is native to eastern North America and is grown in coastal gardens — it is a salt-tolerant plant — as well as in cottage and pollinator gardens. It has pink petals with yellow centers, fiery red-orange leaves in the fall, and red rose hips. It has not been used much for hybridization, but it is grown for its fragrance, repeat blooming, fall colors, and fleshy fruit.

Sweetbriar, eglantine rose (Rosa rubiginosa)

This wild rose, originally from Europe and western Asia, grows along roadsides and is known as a screening or border shrub. It grows to about six feet high and has pink flowers that bloom in the late spring and early summer. Both its flowers and leaves are fragrant; the former have a spicy scent and the latter’s smell is reminiscent of apples. Attractive red rose hips develop after the flowers have faded.

Old garden roses

Old garden roses, or heritage roses, were developed from early European and Chinese cultivars before the arrival of the hybrid tea rose in 1867. They are typically disease resistant and very hardy, and their double flowers are highly fragrant. European cultivars bloom once a year on old canes, and Chinese hybrids of China and tea roses bloom continuously from spring to fall on new canes.

Types of old garden roses

Alba roses

One of the earliest old garden roses, these fragrant flowers are cream colored to pale pink and bloom once in late spring or early summer. They are vigorous climbers, disease resistant, hardy in northern climates, and tolerant of cold and shade.

Bourbon roses

These beautiful roses were developed on Bourbon Island (now called Réunion Island, a French island located in the Indian Ocean about 600 miles east of Madagascar). They are intensely fragrant, almost thorn-less, possess a dense flower head with up to 40 petals, and bloom repeatedly in hues of pink, white, or red. Bourbon roses are tender in northern climates but adaptable to sun or shade, and can be trained to climb.

Centifolia (cabbage roses)

These roses were developed in the Netherlands and named for their dense, cabbage-like flower heads. They were popular during the 17th century and frequently appeared in the Dutch Old Masters’ paintings. Nodding flowers in white, pink, lavender, or red bloom once in the early summer. They are hardy and can grow tall, but their floppy canes bend over and often need support.

China roses

These four- to 10-foot-high shrubs from China bloom from spring to fall and have single, and sometimes double, fragrant pink or red flowers. They have been used extensively in the development of tea roses and long-blooming varieties. China roses are a perfect addition to cottage gardens but are not hardy in colder climates.

Damask roses

Damask roses are named for the city of Damascus, Syria, and were important in the lineage of old European garden roses. Light pink to red fragrant flowers grow in groups on tall, thorny stems and bloom either early or late, depending on the variety. Damask rose hybrids were the start of the hardy, repeat-flowering roses that are so popular today.

Gallica roses

Gallica roses originated in Europe and western Asia, and are considered the first hybridized roses of the old garden category. Their highly fragrant double, or semi-double, flowers come in various shades of pink, red, or maroon, or can be striped. They bloom once in the summer on canes that grow to 4 feet high and are tolerant of cold and shade.

Hybrid musk roses

These roses grow in clusters on long, arching canes up to six feet. Their delicate light pink, white, yellow, or peach-colored flowers have a strong, musky scent. They are disease resistant, repeat flowering, and vigorous — perfect for growing against a wall or fence.

Hybrid perpetual roses

These hybrids of the repeat-flowering Asian roses and the old European hybrids were all the rage in Victorian England. They are tender, upright shrubs with clusters of large, fragrant, double flowers that bloom profusely in the spring and then sporadically until fall. Their popularity began to fade as hybrid teas gained favor in the gardening world.

Hybrid rugosa roses

Originally from Asia, hybrid rugosa roses have dark green, wrinkly foliage and highly fragrant, repeat-blooming, single or double flowers. They are hardy, disease resistant, and salt spray tolerant, and are excellent for a wildlife or pollinator garden.

Moss roses

These roses, known for the moss-like growth on the sepals that give off a woodsy scent when touched, originated from mutations in cabbage or damask roses. Those with a cabbage rose heritage flower once, and those hybridized from damask roses are repeat flowering. They are hardy and densely branched, with fragrant flowers in a variety of colors.

Noisette roses

A chance cross between a China rose and a naturalized musk rose led to the development of the blush noisette. Other varieties were developed and became highly popular in Europe and the United States. They have deliciously fragrant flower clusters on tall, bushy plants and are usually repeat bloomers, but are tender in northern climates.

Portland roses

These fragrant flowers were developed from one rose that was sent from Italy to the English Duchess of Portland in 1775. They grow to no more than 12 inches in height, with small, pink flowers that mainly bloom in the summer. Abundant in the early 19^th century, Portland roses soon saw their popularity diminish with the development of the bourbon and hybrid perpetual roses. Today, only a handful of varieties remain.

Tea roses

Hybrid tea-scented roses arrived in Europe from China in the early 19th century, when breeders crossed them with China roses, bourbons, and noisettes. The results were tall, elegant tea roses in white or pastel, with high central petals and wide lower petals that curl under. Tea roses are not hardy in cold climates but are disease resistant, with repeat-blooming, fragrant, gently nodding flowers. They are still grown today and are used for breeding modern hybrid teas.

Modern roses

The introduction of the hybrid tea rose “La France” in 1867 marked the starting point for modern roses. Since then, breeders have developed thousands of varieties that can be grouped by their growth and flowering habits. Unlike old garden roses, most modern roses are repeat bloomers from summer to fall. They are generally not fragrant and less hardy and disease resistant than old garden roses, but their blooms are larger, and they have a longer vase life.

Types of modern roses

English/David Austin roses

British rose breeder David Austin developed new varieties of roses in the 1960s with the rosette shapes and intoxicating fragrances of old garden roses, and the repeat-blooming traits and color spectrum of modern roses. These were highly successful, and new varieties are still being developed today.

Floribunda roses

Floribundas are small, bushy, easy-to-grow roses that present lavish flower clusters from spring to the first frost. Their flower color varies with the cultivar, and they are fairly hardy and disease resistant. Floribundas are excellent in mass plantings and are often seen in public and commercial spaces, in addition to home gardens.

Grandiflora roses

Hybrids of floribundas and hybrid teas, grandiflora roses were fashionable during the 20^th century. They are tall, vigorous, hardy shrubs that have large, showy flowers with rolled-under petals similar to hybrid teas. Like floribundas, they grow in clusters and are reliable repeat bloomers.

Hybrid tea roses

Hybrid teas were created from hybrid perpetuals and tea roses, and have qualities of both. They are important in the floral industry, as their long, upright stems and large, regal blooms make them perfect cut flowers. Hybrid teas were the most popular roses of the 20^th century because of their elegance, fragrance, and spring-to-fall flowering. They have a reputation for being difficult flowers to grow, though, due to their lack of hardiness and need for high maintenance.

Polyantha roses

These roses are perfect for the garden or containers. The small bushes, covered in bunches of tiny flowers in white, pink, or red, were developed by crossing two species of roses, Rosa chinensis and Rosa multiflora. Polyanthas bloom prolifically from summer to fall, and are disease resistant and easy to maintain.

Types of roses by growth habit

In addition to the categorizations above, roses can also be loosely grouped into five categories according to growth habit.

Miniature roses

These tiny plants are hybrid teas or grandifloras in miniature, ranging from six inches to 18 inches tall. They come in a number of colors and are profuse repeat bloomers from spring to fall, usually for two to three weeks at a time. Miniatures do well in containers indoors or outdoors and are excellent border plants in the garden.

Climbing roses

Climbers can grow up to 15 feet tall on stiff canes. They are repeat bloomers with large flowers in clusters of five, and they bloom more profusely if allowed to grow horizontally. Climbing roses can be encouraged to grow upright against a wall or fence, or tethered around a pillar or trellis while the canes are young and flexible. They are not hardy and will only survive the winter in warmer climates (USDA hardiness zones seven and above, generally speaking).

Groundcover roses

Also known as landscape roses, groundcover roses are typically one to three feet tall and wide, and are excellent for mass planting. They are hardy, low-growing, fragrant roses with disease and pest resistance, repeat flowering, and little to no maintenance. These roses do well in the garden, window boxes, or hanging pots.

Rambling roses

Ramblers have flexible canes and will grow over anything near them, such as a trellis, fence, or arch. They have clusters of seven medium-sized flowers and usually bloom once a season.

Shrub roses

Shrub roses are any type of rose that does not fit into any other category. They are often hybrids of modern roses that have been crossed with species or old garden roses and can be almost any shape, with blooms either singly or in clusters. They are generally repeat bloomers, very hardy, and easy to grow.

2 Ways to Entertain with Waxed Roses

Fresh cut roses are the perfect flower to transform your entertaining space this summer season.

From lush creations, such as this fresh floral wreath surrounding an ice bowl keeping your favorite rosés chilled to perfection and ready for serving…

photo of waxed roses with two glasses of frosé

…to these glasses of delicious frozen rosé — also known as frosé — served on a golden tray decorated with a simple, sweet, single rose.

There are so many ways to use a single rose to add unexpected pops of beauty when entertaining. And there is an easy way to preserve fresh cut roses so that they will last for weeks, allowing you to use them multiple times in many different ways: preserving them in wax! And, yes, I did say easy, but did I also say how much fun it is?!

Here are two ideas for using waxed roses.

photo of waxed roses with a waxed rose in a table setting and a bottle of rosé

As if this combination of vintage china, pink depression glass, and gold accents wasn’t pretty enough, a waxed rose greeting each guest as they take their seat for lunch takes it to the next level.

photo of waxed roses with a waxed rose in a table setting with a chocolate covered strawberry sitting on it

But wait, there’s more! Gently place a single chocolate-covered strawberry into the waxed rose and start your celebration off with a little something sweet. Or package it up and send your guests off with the best take-home gift ever!

If you’ve never preserved flowers in wax, check out my step-by-step guide for how to do it. I even made a video to go along with it! These instructions apply to all flowers, not just roses.

Preserving flowers in wax, admittedly, takes a little practice, but it is so fun and relaxing to do. And the best part is that you get to enjoy your flowers as fresh cuts first. You can wait until your flowers are fully bloomed and just about to pass their prime to preserve them using the waxing method.

How to Create a Rose-Themed Summer Charcuterie Board

Follow along with these steps from Ramona Cruz-Peters of Fab Everyday to create a wine and roses charcuterie board perfect for summer entertaining.

My two favorite things about the summer are the longer days and all the beautiful roses in bloom. This is what inspired me to create a simple but lovely “Days of Wine and Roses”-themed charcuterie board for summer entertaining.

With just a few steps and a meat and cheese basket, you too can make this swoon-worthy spread.

Step 1: Create salami roses and rosettes

To make salami roses, fold a piece of salami over the rim of a champagne flute. If you don’t have a champagne flute, you can use a regular glass; I recommend one with a narrow mouth so the salami roses don’t end up too big. Repeat the process with more salami, overlapping as you work your way around the glass.

Photo of charcuterie board with aalami on board

When the ring of folded salami feels tight, invert your glass over the charcuterie board and slide the glass out of the salami rose. Herb leaves like sage can be strategically placed with the roses to bring the floral theme to life.

After creating 2-3 large salami roses, you can create mini rosettes by folding salami pieces in half, and then rolling a few of them together and securing them with toothpicks. I like to place the rosettes next to the larger salami roses to make it look like a group of rosebuds.

Step 2: Add cheese to the board

Next, add a few different cheeses, such as an aged Asiago and a nutty Gruyère, to your charcuterie board. Offering a variety of cheeses accommodates different guests’ preferences and provides options for mixing and matching flavors.

Continuing with the floral theme, I sliced the wedge of Asiago into long triangles to mimic petals and placed them in the middle of the board. I cut the Gruyère into cubes and placed them at the corners of the board to provide visual contrast with the circular salami roses.

Step 3: Incorporate your antipasto

Photo of charcuterie board with charcuterie boards

Who said you shouldn’t play with your food? Displaying the antipasto should be fun! I arranged some of the roasted peppers with garlic and garlic-stuffed olives into floral shapes in small ramekins before adding them to the charcuterie board.

Step 4: Fill the extra space with nuts and fresh herbs

Finally, fill in the open spaces on the board with mixed nuts and more fresh herbs like rosemary in addition to the sage leaves.

Step 5: Cheers!

Photo of charcuterie board with wine and charcuterie board

Now it’s ready to party! Serve the charcuterie board with water crackers and baguette crisps for your guests to eat with the meat and cheeses, plus an assortment of red and white wines. If you have a wide variety of wine and cheeses, you could even suggest different pairings for guests to experiment with. For a final touch, I like to set out the charcuterie board with roses or rose petals to pull together the floral theme.

The History, Importance, and Meaning of Red Roses

More than 400,000 different species of flowers exist in the world, but when it comes to a favorite, one in particular stands out: the red rose. With over 150 different species and 3,000 members of the rose family in existence — the majority of them some shade of red — this flower is as culturally significant as it is ubiquitous in our lives. Nearly everyone has some type of treasured memory involving a red rose, whether it’s buying them for a first love, receiving them on an anniversary, gifting them to a friend or family member, or treating yourself to one to mark a special day.

But as much as we know about and love red roses, we’re betting a few of these fun facts and unexpected tidbits about the flower might just surprise you.

Mythic power

In ancient Greek mythology, the red rose was said to have been created when the goddess of flowers, Chloris, went walking in the woods and stumbled across the body of a lifeless nymph. Saddened by its death, she transformed the creature’s body into the most beautiful flower imaginable. When another of the gods, Aphrodite, saw her work, she was instantly smitten. The goddess of love is said to have named the flower “rose” in honor of her son Eros, also known as Cupid. Flash forward to today, and we still celebrate Cupid’s holiday — Valentine’s Day — with lush bouquets of vibrant red roses!

In Roman mythology, the origin of the red rose is slightly different but no less dramatic. In this tale, it’s Venus (also the goddess of love) who is rushing to warn her lover Adonis of a murder plot that is being carried out against him. As she runs, she accidentally cuts her ankle on a thorn bush. But, in a beautiful twist, everywhere her blood dripped on the plant a lush rose was said to bloom — creating the red rose bushes we know and love today.

In loving color

Each rose color has its own unique meaning. For example, white roses symbolize purity, and yellow roses equate to friendship. But the color red is a much more complex beast — and every shade of red roses has a slightly different meaning. (One easy rule of thumb: The deeper the color of red, the greater the level of passion the color is said to invoke in the giver.)

Traditionally speaking, light red and pink roses symbolize femininity, grace, and elegance. Go a shade darker to dark pink, and that rose evokes feelings of gratitude and appreciation. Salmon-colored roses, which fall somewhere between red and orange, represent excitement and enthusiasm, and are an ideal symbol for a budding new relationship.

Bright ruby red roses are the true sign of love and usually symbolize passion, desire, and romance. Deeper red roses that fall more into the burgundy color family connote commitment and devotion, while roses with a merlot-like red tint represent beauty. And, finally, deep dark red roses — which can sometimes be so rich in color as to appear black — symbolize rebirth and new beginnings.

a photo of meaning of red roses with a red rose in a vase on a wooden table

Two more color basics to know:

Multi-colored roses, such as yellow roses with red tips, symbolize transition or movement — in this case, the yellow of friendship turning into the red of love.
The combination of two different colors in one bouquet merges the best of what each color represents into one perfect union. So, for example, a bouquet of red and white roses combines the ideas of purity and passion into a type of even more harmonious everlasting love.

Numbers matter

While quality obviously matters when giving someone a red rose, so, too, does quantity. The meaning of red roses changes significantly with the number of blooms included in a gift bouquet. Here’s a quick rundown on what those numbers mean, and the symbolism behind the number:

1 Rose

The purest symbol of new love, love at first sight, or a “one and only love,” giving someone a single red rose symbolizes the giving of your heart.

2 Roses

A pair of red roses equals bonded or mutual love and affection — being two of a kind or two halves of the same bunch.

3 Roses

A traditional one-month anniversary gift, three red roses represent the three syllables in the phrase “I love you.”

6 Roses

A sign of wanting to take things to the next level, six red roses convey a meaning of “I want to be yours.”

10 Roses

In many sports or ratings systems, 10 is a perfect number — and it is with roses, too. Ten red roses is considered the way to tell someone you feel they are perfect and number one in your heart.

12 Roses

From a dozen donuts to a dozen eggs to 12 months on the calendar, the number “12” has a long history of representing “completion” or “wholeness” — and so it is with love, too. A dozen red roses means your love is complete or whole, and that you couldn’t ask any more from the person whom you are gifting your roses.

What’s in a scent?

Besides a rose’s beautiful appearance, one of its most appealing traits is its incredible scent. And while most people assume that all roses might smell the same, nothing could be further from the truth.

In general, scientists have found that the more scent-producing glands a rose has, the more fragrant it smells. That’s because more glands equates to more “essential oils” in the bloom — in other words, more natural rose smell! When shopping for roses, remember that darker-colored roses (such as the red rose) tend to be more fragrant than lighter-colored ones.

a photo of meaning of red roses with a child smelling a red rose

Size matters, too. The more petals a red rose has, the stronger its scent tends to be. And the thicker the petal, the deeper the scent.

As for color, most experts say red and pink roses almost always have the most traditional “rose” smell. In contrast, orange roses tend to smell more like fruit or clove, while yellow and white roses smell most like violets, nasturtiums, or lemon.

A tasty add-in

Hungry for one more rose-flavored tidbit? While all varieties of roses are safe to eat, the ones with the sweetest fragrance tend to have the most flavor. Meaning, if you want to use a few rose petals to add flavor to sugar or butter — or to make your own rose water to then use in rose water ice cream — red roses are the way to go.

Rosé Sangria and Other Ways to Enjoy Roses During Summer

What are the first two things that come to mind when you think of summer? A lot of folks might say “sun and surf” or “grill and chill,” but if you ask me, it’s roses and rosé! And I’m not talking about Lauren Zima’s recap show for Bachelor Nation.

For me, summer is about celebrations and relaxation. Flirty and frivolous, rosé is the perfect beverage to enjoy on a sun-kissed balcony, at a bustling beachside bar, or while dining al fresco on a warm summer evening. Add the overwhelming fragrance and stunning beauty of rambling roses and you have the perfect storm of summer perfection!

Here are three ways to enjoy roses and rosé this season.

Rosé sangria mojito cocktail

Rosé is extremely versatile and can function as a base for your favorite cocktail, adding lovely flavors like strawberry, raspberry, and citrus. I wanted to create a summer cocktail that was light, with layered flavors, but not sweet. What I came up with is a cross between sangria and a mojito.

This rosé sangria mojito is a more grown-up cocktail. If you prefer your drinks on the sweeter side, you can add some simple syrup to the mix or use a sweetened cranberry juice instead of the flavored seltzer.

This drink pairs perfectly with the chocolate strawberry bubbly bar or dark chocolate sparkling rosé cordials that come with the Girls Night In Rosé Gift Basket. Just mix it up, pour it into the “Rosé All Day” stemless wine glass, and you’re ready for any celebratory occasion!

Print Pin

Rosé Sangria Mojito Cocktail

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 10

Chill time 1

Total Time 1 15

Ingredients:

1 bottle rosé
1 can cranberry seltzer
2 cups rum
½ cup strawberries, plus more for garnish
½ cup raspberries
½ cup blueberries
Fresh mint

Instructions:

Wash all the berries. Remove the tops of the strawberries and cut into slices.
Add all the fruit to the pitcher, along with a few sprigs of fresh mint.
Add two cups of rum, the bottle of rosé, and a can of cranberry seltzer.
Stir to mix all the ingredients together and refrigerate for about an hour.
When ready to serve, pour in a glass over ice and garnish with a strawberry slice.

DIY roses and rosé wreath

This summer, everything is coming up pink! And that means lots of fabulous party décor in that trendiest of colors. This roses and rosé wreath is a particularly pretty — and pink — way to display your wine while keeping it chilled at the same time.

If you don’t feel like going all out, there’s a version of this you can make with a faux rose wreath. Or, meet in the middle and do a little of both.

Flower-Flavored Dessert: Homemade Rose Water Ice Cream

Rose water may sound like something you might find in your grandma’s perfume collection, but this fragrant liquid has been used for thousands of years for its medicinal purposes. Today it is found in beauty products and used for cooking, adding a burst of flavor to everything to which it’s added, including ice cream — and we owe it all to the Persian Empire.

History distilled

Rose water, a clean and delicate floral distillate of roses, has its roots in antiquity. From as far back as the 6th century, rose water was traded throughout the Middle East, Asia, and Europe along the Silk Road. This network of trade routes, which originated in China and wended across 4,000 miles, connected goods, culture, and religious and political ideas from the Far East to the Roman Empire in the West. Historians credit Avicenna, a 10th-century Persian scientist and pilosopher, with elevating the rose water distillation process from a crude soaking-and-boiling method to one that involves steaming to capture the potent essence of roses — a process that is still used today.

a photo of rose water ice cream with rose water in a glass

Rosewater in cooking

We owe the use of rose water in Middle Eastern and European cooking to the Persian Empire. Before the Arab conquest of Persia in the 7th century, the Persians had been adding rose water to desserts. Ancient recipes for faloodeh (a frozen dessert with rice noodles, rose water, and lime juice) and saffron- and rosewater-scented halvah (a soft, sweet paste of flour, butter, and sugar) are still a part of modern-day Persian cuisine. The use of rose water in confections spread throughout Europe, the Middle East, and, later, America. Recipes for puddings, cakes, and custards from the late 18th and early 19th century call for the use of rose water.

However, rose water fell out of favor with home cooks in the early 20th century when advances in the cultivation and distillation of vanilla beans allowed for the mass production of vanilla extract. But today, thanks to the rising popularity of Middle Eastern and Persian cuisines, rose water, along with other Middle Eastern staples such as pomegranate molasses and orange blossom water, has once again become a pantry favorite. You’ll find rose water used in savory Persian dishes as a floral counterpoint to more pungent spices like citrusy saffron and earthy turmeric, but it is most widely known as an integral ingredient in Middle Eastern and Persian sweets — particularly rose water ice cream.

Persian rose water ice cream

In traditional Persian ice cream, called bastani, rosewater, saffron, and pistachio are added to a rich custard base with a chewy, deeply satisfying texture. The addition of salep, a cornstarch-like powder derived from the tubers of orchids, accounts for Persian rose water ice cream’s stretchy, satisfying mouthfeel.

Although salep is not as readily accessible in the United States, you can find rosewater virtually anywhere Middle Eastern groceries are sold, as well as in specialty stores and online. This summer, you can capture the intoxicating essence of Persian rose water ice cream at home in this version of the delicius, ultra-creamy dessert. Along with rose water, the addition of pistachi os offers this ice cream a slightly crunchy and salty counterpoint to the sweet cream and floral notes.

Print Pin

Rose Water Ice Cream

Ingredients:

3 cups heavy cream
1 cup milk
½–¾ cup sugar
3 egg yolks
2-3 saffron threads, ground into a powder with a mortar and pestle (optional)
2-3 tablespoons rose water
½ cup salted pistachios, chopped

Instructions:

Combine the cream, milk, and sugar in a medium saucepan and place it over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is hot. (Do not boil.)
Remove from the heat. Whisk the egg yolks in a bowl and slowly stir in a cup of the hot cream mixture to temper it (this keeps the eggs from curdling). Stir the egg-cream mixture into the saucepan with the rest of the cream and return the pan to the heat.
Stir constantly over medium heat until the mixture thickens, about 10 minutes. (It will not be as thick as a pudding; it's more like a crème anglaise — a French custard sauce.) Remove from the heat (if using the saffron threads, dissolve them in the rose water before adding), and stir in the rose water and taste. Add a little at a time until it has the desired flavor.
Freezing modifies the flavor of ice cream — once it's frozen, it will not taste as sweet — so if you like a sweeter ice cream, use the greater amount of sugar; if you prefer the flavor of rose water, add a little more of that ingredient.
Strain the custard into a bowl to get a nice smooth consistency. Chill the custard (if you are in a hurry, place the bowl of custard over an ice bath and stir it until it's cold; if you have more time, just put the bowl in the refrigerator). Once the custard is cold, process it according to the instructions on your ice cream maker.
Garnish with sprinkles of pistachio before serving.

10 Delightful Ways to Celebrate National Rose Month

A photo of summer flowers with a woman smelling summer flowers

It’s finally here — National Rose Month! June is the special month we dedicate to celebrating the wildly popular rose. Roses are truly special flowers, with over 150 species that bloom all over the world in a variety of colors.

Roses have been a part of American history since the birth of the nation. It is believed that George Washington was an early American rose breeder, and the White House famously has its own rose garden, which presidents still use for important meetings and signings.

National Rose Month was established in 1959, as a way of trying to build support for making the rose the national flower of the United States. However, that goal was not realized until almost three decades later, when, in 1986, President Ronald Reagan declared the rose the national floral emblem, stating in his proclamation: “More often than any other flower, we hold the rose dear as the symbol of life and love and devotion, of beauty and eternity.” Since then, National Rose Month has taken on a larger significance, as it not only honors the beautiful flower but recognizes a symbol of our country.

It seems only fair, then, that we should mark this occasion in a floral and festive manner — whether that’s simply displaying a beautiful rose centerpiece, beginning a creative project, or traveling to a rose garden or rose festival. In honor of National Rose Month, we present 10 ways you can celebrate this most revered flower throughout the month of June.

1. Visit a rose garden

One of the best ways to celebrate the rose is to plan a trip to visit a rose garden. There are rose gardens all over the country, but you might be lucky enough to live close enough to one of the seven most beautiful rose gardens in the country. If you don’t live near any of these, a simple internet search will yield rose gardens located in your area.

2. Attend a rose festival

a photo of rose month with a float at the portland rose festival

Many rose festivals happen around the country in June. Portland, Oregon, known as the City of Roses, is home to one of the largest rose festivals, with four parades and dozens of events over a two-week period in early June. There’s also Elizabeth Park’s Rose Weekend in Connecticut, which takes place in the nation’s oldest operating rose garden. For Midwesterners, there’s the Slate Center Rose Festival in Marshalltown, Iowa, which hosts a well-known festival that attracts thousands of rose lovers each June.

3. Plant a rose bush

There’s a reason June was chosen as National Rose Month: This is when roses look their best. Many rose types love full sun, making them a great summer addition to your garden. Pro tip: Never plant roses in soil where you have planted roses before, as it can make the new rose more susceptible to disease. Roses also need lots of nutrient-dense soil to keep their blooms fresh all summer long.

4. Decorate with roses

Since roses peak in June, it’s the perfect time to clip a few from your garden or have fresh rose plants delivered to bring a lively presence to your decor. Beyond that, rose patterns are a common decorating theme and cover a variety of home decor items. Now’s the time to display those beautiful rose pillows or set out a fragrance diffuser and votive candle and fill your home with the unmistakable scent of roses.

5. Turn roses into rose water

Rose water is a clean and delicate floral liquid with just two ingredients: rose and water! Rose water is simple enough to make at home: Just toss a handful of rose petals and a few cups water into a pot, bring to a boil, and then reduce the heat and simmer for five to 10 minutes, or until the rose petals have lost their color. Prep in batches to keep rose water on hand for a variety of recipes, such as…

6. Make rose water ice cream

With homemade rose water in your pantry, the best way to celebrate a June holiday is with homemade ice cream! Bring the flavor of authentic Persian rosewater ice cream to your freezer with our easy-to-make recipe, which uses rose water for a floral note and chopped pistachios for a crunch. Add a half teaspoon of saffron powder for a golden hue and earthy sweetness.

7. Send a friend or loved one roses

a photo of rose month with gifting someone roses

One of the best ways to celebrate any holiday is to share the love and get gifts in celebration. In honor of National Rose Month, send a fresh bouquet of roses to someone who you know loves receiving flowers. No need to stick to traditional red roses either: With colorful options like sorbet, kaleidoscope, pale pink, or bright yellow, you have a variety of ways to send someone a splash of color.

8. Make your own rose arrangement

Of course, while you’re brightening someone else’s day with roses, make sure to get some for yourself, too. Stock up on fresh roses in a variety of colors and gather the family for a fun afternoon activity. Get creative with not only the arrangements but also the containers. For instance, you can arrange roses in a planter’s box, recycled glass bottles, crates, tin cans…you name it! The main rules of flower arrangements are: balance, proportion, unity, harmony, and emphasis.

9. Make pressed roses

a photo of rose month with a woman pressing roses

Pressed roses make for great craft projects. Follow our tutorial, and you can have your very own pressed flowers in five minutes using a microwave, or go with the old-fashioned method of pressing them into a book, which takes about a month. Either way, pressed roses make for beautiful decor and creative projects.

10. Learn how to keep roses for longer

We all want our roses to stick around as long as possible, and to help you with that, we have an easy-to-follow guide on how to keep cut roses fresher for longer. First, make sure to cut the stem at an angle one inch from the bottom. Then, clip the leaves — don’t rip them, as that can cause bacteria to grow in the water. It’s also good to keep roses in a cool room and away from direct sunlight. And, of course, change the water every few days as needed. Just these few tips will add days or weeks to the life of your roses!

7 Best Rose Festivals in the United States

No flower is more beloved or recognizable in the United States than the rose. After all, it’s our national floral emblem and the most common state flower, with Georgia, Iowa, New York, and North Dakota all claiming it as their own.

And the beauty of the rose is celebrated at festivals across the country throughout the spring and summer. So, if you are a fan of this timeless flower and want to get up close and personal to some of its finest examples, here are seven of our favorite U.S.-based rose festivals.

Rose Show & Festival

First held: 1922

Where: Thomasville, Georgia

Since 1922, the Rose Show & Festival has been a time-honored tradition in Southwest Georgia. In addition to the thousands of unique roses on display, visitors are entertained by live music and dancing, two parades, arts and crafts, and plenty of delicious food.

Portland Rose Festival

First held: 1907

Where: Portland, Oregon

Calling this a festival is somewhat of an understatement. The Portland Rose Festival is one of the largest rose celebrations in the United States, with four parades and dozens of events over the course of two weeks. And, if all that wasn’t impressive enough, it was twice named the “Best Festival in the World” by the International Festivals & Events Association, in 2007 and again in 2011.

State Center Rose Festival

First held: 1958

Where: Marshalltown, Iowa

Known as the “Rose Capitol of Iowa,” the small town of Marshalltown has been celebrating the rose since 1958 with its annual State Center Rose Festival. Each year, this quiet town is brought to life as thousands of people flock to The Grand Parade — a 100-float-long parade, featuring beautiful floral designs and costumes.

Elizabeth Park’s Rose Weekend

a photo of rose festivals with rose arches at elizabeth park — Rose arches at the Helen S. Kaman Rose Garden at *Elizabeth Park*. (Courtesy Elizabeth Park Conservancy)

First held: 1904

Where: West Hartford, Connecticut

With nearly three acres of garden space, Elizabeth Park, the nation’s oldest municipally operated rose garden, is home to more than 800 varieties of roses. As guests walk through the 15,000 rose bushes and arches, they’re treated to poetry readings, dance performances, and many other kid-friendly activities.

Jackson County Rose Festival

First held: 1958

Where: Jackson, Michigan

Known for its bountiful parks and rushing waterways, Jackson has been the home of the Jackson County Rose Festival since 1958, but its association with the rose goes back further than that. In 1931, the city chose the rose as its official flower and dubbed itself the Rose City. The annual Rose Parade is one of the largest parades in Michigan, with more than 100 floats entered each year.

Texas Rose Festival

First held: 1933

Where: Tyler, Texas

Mingle with Rose Royalty, attend the Queen’s Tea, tour the floral displays, and watch as parade floats travel past you at the Texas Rose Festival. For 84 years, the town of Tyler has celebrated the rose — a flower so popular in Texas that it made Tyler a prominent location in the North American rose industry.

Tombstone Rose Festival

First held: 1888

Where: Tombstone, Arizona

People flock to Tombstone every April to witness the blooming of the world’s largest rose tree, which is located in the courtyard of the Rose Tree Museum. Other highlights of the celebration include the crowning of the Rose Queen — which kicks off the festivities — a pancake breakfast, an old-fashioned box lunch auction, and the annual Rose Parade.