Birthday
HydrangeasThe rose is the most "talkative" flower: its colour can speak of love, gratitude, friendship or admiration without a single word. Here is what red, white, pink, yellow and other roses mean, how to combine colours in a bouquet and which shades to choose for different occasions.
Roses in every colour are in our red roses, white roses and peony-shaped roses sections.
Colour meanings at a glance
These meanings come from the 19th-century language of flowers and have changed over time. They are a charming tradition rather than strict rules: what matters most is that the person you give the roses to likes the colour.
Classic colours
- Red — the clearest symbol of love and passion, perfect for declarations, anniversaries and 14 February.
- White — sincerity, purity and new beginnings, which is why they are popular at weddings. More in "White roses".
- Pink — tenderness, affection and gratitude: pale shades suit a new relationship, deeper ones a thank-you.
- Yellow — joy and friendship. The old meaning of "jealousy and parting" is now largely forgotten.
Trendy and unusual shades
- Coral — delight and energy; a bright summery choice.
- Peach — modesty and appreciation; good for thanking a teacher or colleague.
- Purple and lavender — enchantment and "love at first sight".
- Fuchsia — bold admiration; striking in single-variety bouquets.
- Burgundy — deep, mature feelings.
- Blue — mystery and the unattainable; blue roses do not exist in nature and are dyed. More in "Blue roses".
- Black — mystery; the darkest varieties are actually deep burgundy, like the Halfeti roses covered in "Halfeti black roses".
How to combine colours
- Red and white — unity and harmony, a classic for weddings and anniversaries.
- Pink and white — tenderness and sincerity.
- Yellow and orange — a bright "sunny" bouquet for friends and colleagues.
- Two-tone roses look like a colour combination in themselves — see "Two-tone roses".
Which colour for which occasion
- A declaration of love, an anniversary — red, burgundy.
- A wedding — white, cream, soft pink.
- A friend's birthday — pink, coral, fuchsia.
- Thanks to a colleague or teacher — peach, pink, yellow.
- Mum — soft pink, peach, white.
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FAQ
Is it OK to give yellow roses?
Yes. Today yellow roses mean joy and friendship, and the old meaning of "parting" is largely forgotten.
Do blue roses exist in nature?
No, blue roses are dyed; breeders have so far only achieved lilac shades.
What do white roses mean?
Sincerity, purity and new beginnings, which is why they are often chosen for weddings.
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Author: Maria Svitlovir
Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.
