The flower of love
In the language of flowers, the red rose traditionally symbolises love and passion. It was the Victorian habit of assigning meanings to blooms that fixed the idea in popular culture, and it has never gone away.
Valentine's Day at the height of summer
On 14 February, Australia is in the middle of its hottest season. A bunch of red roses sitting in a warm car or a sunny window will wilt fast. Keep them in a cool room, out of direct sun, and give them clean water as soon as they arrive.
- Cut about two centimetres off the stems at an angle.
- Remove any leaves that would sit under the water line.
- Use a clean vase and refresh the water every two days.
- Keep the vase away from heaters, fans and ripening fruit.
Depth of red in the garden
Red garden roses owe their depth of colour to pigments called anthocyanins and, in many varieties, carotenoids. Dark reds can scorch at the edges in strong light, so a position with some afternoon shade often keeps the petals looking richer for longer. Deep red varieties also tend to show black spot more clearly, so good airflow matters.
Modern reds come from breeding work over the past two centuries, and the range now runs from orange-red through crimson to a near-black burgundy. If you have a particular shade in mind, look at the actual bloom, because names and photos can differ.
Red roses and pets
The rose appears on the ASPCA list of plants that are non-toxic to dogs, cats and horses. The prickles are the only real hazard, so tidy fallen petals and trimmings from the floor.
