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Short answer: red for love, white for purity and respect, pink for gratitude and affection, peach for thanks, yellow for friendship and cheer. And if a rose head droops early, recutting the stem under running water almost always fixes it.
What each colour says
Red
Love, stated plainly. It needs no explanation and has no substitute on an anniversary or a first declaration. The deeper the red, the more settled and less celebratory the bouquet reads.
White and ivory
Purity, respect, beginnings. It is the wedding and engagement colour, and it is also the right colour for condolences when the arrangement is kept quiet and unadorned.
Pink
Affection, gratitude, quiet admiration. A comfortable choice when you want warmth without boldness — right for a mother, a sister or a friend.
Peach and cream
Thanks and appreciation. The best thing to send a colleague, a teacher or anyone who did you a favour, because it is warm without carrying a romantic reading.
Yellow
Friendship, cheer, optimism. It isn't read as a declaration of love, which is exactly what makes it right for congratulations and get-well wishes.
How many roses should I send?
The number matters less than the overall size of the arrangement and where it is going. As a working rule: a medium bouquet suits an everyday gesture or an apology, while a large bouquet or a vase arrangement suits an anniversary or a formal congratulation. Choose for the space the recipient has before you choose for the count.
Caring for roses
- Trim two centimetres off each stem at an angle before it goes into water.
- Strip every leaf that would sit below the waterline.
- Change the water every two days and wash the vase each time.
- Keep the bouquet out of direct sun and away from the air conditioning.
If a rose head droops
An air bubble has usually entered the stem and blocked the water. Recut the stem under running water and return it to the vase straight away; the head normally lifts again within a few hours.
About the outer petals
Roses often arrive with one or two coarser outer petals. Those are guard petals, not a flaw — peel them away gently and the true colour shows.
When to send them
Roses are the first choice for love & romance, and they work just as well for an apology, a thank-you or a congratulation once the colour changes. Browse rose bouquets and pick the colour that matches what you want to say.
Every bouquet is made to order on the day it is delivered and travels with a handwritten gift card and no invoice. Delivery areas and timings are on the delivery page.
Quick answers
How long do roses last?
Four to seven days, with the water changed and the stems recut every two days.
Are red roses ever right for something other than romance?
Rarely — they read as a declaration of love in most contexts. Use peach for thanks, yellow for friendship, white for respect.
Why do some roses arrive with darker outer petals?
Those are natural guard petals, peeled away by hand. Their presence means the rose wasn't stripped back too early.
