Why white roses are a wedding and memorial favourite
A white rose has long stood for purity, reverence and a clean slate, and that is why you see it at weddings, christenings and funerals. The colour is also practical, because it sits quietly with any other shade in a bouquet.
White is a natural colour in the genus Rosa. Many wild roses have white petals around a ring of yellow stamens, and breeders have kept the shade going for centuries. The floribunda 'Iceberg', raised by Kordes in 1958, is one of the best-known white garden roses and is prized for its long flowering season.
Handling white blooms gently
- Petals mark easily, so handle stems by the leaves and base.
- Bruising shows as brown patches, and rain or heavy watering can spot the outer petals.
- Cut roses last longer in a cool room, away from the fruit bowl and direct sun.
- Recut the stems at an angle and top up with clean water often.
A white bush for the garden
Choose a sunny, well-drained position and plant bare-rooted stock in winter. In the southern summer, a deep soak once or twice a week beats a daily sprinkle. Remove spent flowers to encourage more.
Cream and ivory roses are close cousins of the pure white ones, and florists often blend them, since a bunch of slightly different whites looks richer than one flat shade. Greenery such as eucalyptus or ruscus gives white roses a natural frame and helps the petals stand out.
Is white a real rose colour?
Yes. Unlike blue roses, which do not occur naturally, white ones are entirely natural and need no dye.
