Everyone knows red, white, pink and yellow roses, but breeders have created hundreds of varieties in unusual shades — from lavender and greenish to coral and the colour of milky coffee. Some are natural, others are dyed. Here is which unusual rose colours really exist, what they mean and who to give them to. Classic colour meanings are in what rose colours mean.
There are no truly vivid purple roses in nature, but there are lilac, lavender and plum-toned varieties. Popular in bouquets are lavender-pink Memory Lane and lilac varieties such as Ocean Song. These roses stand for enchantment and love at first sight, so they suit dates and anniversaries. Deep purple roses on sale are usually dyed.
Green roses exist without any dye. Among cut varieties, Super Green is known for its dense, pale lime blooms. In gardens you may find the old China rose Viridiflora, whose «petals» are green leaf-like structures. Green in a bouquet means harmony, calm and new beginnings, making these roses a good fit for men and business occasions.
Cream roses sit between white and pale yellow. The best-known cut variety in this range is Mondial, creamy white with a hint of green. Cream stands for tenderness, gratitude and respect, so these bouquets suit almost anyone: a mother, a colleague, a teacher or a bride.
Coral roses blend pink and orange; peach roses are a softer apricot. In gardens, David Austin’s peach-coloured Juliet is well known, and there are many coral cut varieties. These shades mean sincerity, admiration and a wish to get to know someone better, so they work for first dates and gifts between friends.
Bright orange roses are the colour of energy, enthusiasm and joy. Give them to celebrate a success, to cheer someone up or to say «you inspire me». Orange roses mix well with yellow and red in festive bouquets, and with solidago and hypericum in autumn ones.
Roses the colour of milky coffee are natural varieties with beige-brown, almost toned petals, such as Cappuccino. They look restrained and vintage, so they are chosen for stylish single-variety bouquets, pastel weddings and people who dislike bright colours.
We cover a few more unusual colours separately: blue roses (and whether they exist in nature), black Halfeti roses, rainbow roses created by special dyeing, and bicolour roses with a contrasting edge, like the Jumilia variety.
Lilac and lavender varieties do, but vivid purple roses on sale are usually dyed.
Yes, there are natural cut varieties with lime petals and the garden rose Viridiflora.
Sincerity, admiration and a wish to get to know someone better.
Almost anyone: cream means tenderness, gratitude and respect.
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.
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