Flowers have fascinated humankind for centuries, serving as expressions of love, symbols of cultural meaning, and elements of natural beauty that elevate human life. Among the countless varieties of flowers available in nature, the rose holds a position unlike any other. Roses are the undisputed centerpiece in the floral world — from gardens to grand bouquets, from weddings to funerals, and from small neighborhood flower shops to large-scale floristry enterprises.
In this article, we will explore the enduring appeal of roses, why flower shops prioritize selling them, and why florists so often integrate roses into their arrangements. By examining cultural, emotional, aesthetic, and practical dimensions, we can understand why roses remain the “queen of flowers” and a cornerstone of the floral industry.
The rose has roots deep in human history. Ancient civilizations such as the Greeks, Romans, Persians, and Egyptians all revered the rose for its fragrance, elegance, and symbolism. For example:
Ancient Greece associated roses with Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty. The rose became an emblem of romantic passion and feminine grace.
Romans decorated banquets, ceremonies, and even public celebrations with roses. They also used roses in perfumes and as confetti for festivities.
Persian culture considered the rose a symbol of divine beauty and perfection, inspiring poetry and art for centuries.
During the Middle Ages and Renaissance, roses became closely associated with religious symbolism, often linked to the Virgin Mary in Christian tradition. Later, in the Victorian era, the “language of flowers” or floriography popularized roses as coded messages. A red rose meant passionate love, a white rose symbolized purity, and a yellow rose suggested friendship or jealousy depending on context. This coded language cemented the rose’s role as a communicator of emotion.
Florists know that roses carry a rich symbolic weight, which makes them particularly valuable in arrangements:
Red roses: Symbolize love, romance, passion, and respect.
White roses: Represent innocence, purity, reverence, and remembrance.
Yellow roses: Stand for friendship, joy, and warmth.
Pink roses: Suggest admiration, gratitude, and gentleness.
Orange roses: Convey enthusiasm, fascination, and desire.
Lavender roses: Express enchantment, majesty, and love at first sight.
This wide range of meanings allows roses to fit into almost any occasion — from Valentine’s Day to birthdays, weddings, funerals, and even business events. Their versatility makes them indispensable to flower shops.
Roses are the most popular cut flower worldwide. According to industry studies, they consistently rank as the top-selling flower, especially around holidays like Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day. A flower shop that doesn’t carry roses would be overlooking customer demand.
Consumers automatically associate roses with special occasions. When someone enters a flower shop looking for a romantic gesture, their first instinct is often to buy roses. Shops stock them because they cater to these emotional associations.
Through advancements in greenhouse cultivation and global trade, roses are available in abundance all year. This reliability ensures that flower shops can meet customer demand regardless of season. Unlike highly seasonal blooms such as tulips or peonies, roses provide consistency.
Roses come in countless varieties — hybrid tea roses, spray roses, garden roses, and more — and in virtually every color. This versatility allows florists to serve different price points and design aesthetics. Whether a customer wants a dozen classic red roses or a modern mixed bouquet, roses can fit the bill.
Roses often carry a high perceived value, which allows flower shops to generate significant revenue from rose arrangements. Customers expect to pay a premium for roses, especially during holidays, which makes them financially advantageous for florists.
Roses have a perfect petal structure, round form, and pleasing symmetry that makes them ideal focal flowers in arrangements. Their classic shape provides balance and structure, allowing them to blend harmoniously with other flowers.
Because roses are available in so many shades, florists can easily match them to themes or palettes. For example:
White roses for weddings
Red and pink roses for romantic occasions
Bright yellow or orange roses for cheerful celebrations
This adaptability makes roses a natural choice in professional design.
Compared to many delicate flowers, roses have relatively good vase life, lasting about a week when properly cared for. Their durability makes them practical for arrangements that need to last through an event or several days in a client’s home.
Florists know that roses elicit strong emotional responses. Including roses in arrangements instantly elevates the sentiment. A mixed bouquet with roses feels more luxurious and meaningful than one without.
Roses work across styles — from modern minimalist designs to lush, romantic, garden-inspired arrangements. They can be massed together for dramatic impact or combined with greenery and filler flowers for softer effects. Few flowers offer this range of design flexibility.
Roses are a wedding staple. Brides carry rose bouquets, venues feature rose centerpieces, and petals are scattered down aisles. Their symbolic ties to love and beauty make them the natural choice for romantic unions.
This holiday alone accounts for an enormous percentage of rose sales. Red roses, in particular, dominate Valentine’s Day, as they are universally recognized as the flower of love.
White roses are often chosen for funerals, symbolizing reverence, remembrance, and eternal love. Florists use them in wreaths, sprays, and sympathy bouquets.
In corporate settings, roses lend elegance and sophistication to events. Neutral colors such as white, cream, or pale pink are often used to avoid overpowering formality.
Birthdays, anniversaries, or simple “thank you” gestures are frequently expressed with rose arrangements. Their familiarity and charm make them a go-to flower for many occasions.
The rose is not only a flower but also a massive global business. Countries such as Ecuador, Colombia, Kenya, and the Netherlands are major exporters of roses, with millions of stems shipped daily worldwide. Flower shops rely heavily on these supply chains, ensuring that roses remain central to floristry everywhere.
Beyond symbolism, roses also have a psychological effect. Studies suggest that receiving roses can improve mood, reduce stress, and create feelings of happiness and connection. Florists recognize this intangible value and harness it in their work. A single rose can make someone feel cherished, while a bouquet can transform an entire space emotionally.
While floral trends shift — with new design techniques and fashionable blooms gaining popularity — roses continue to hold a timeless appeal. They embody both tradition and adaptability, making them a bridge between classic and contemporary floral design. For flower shops and florists, roses are not merely a product but a reliable foundation of their craft.
Roses are far more than just flowers; they are symbols of human emotion, carriers of tradition, and versatile tools in the hands of skilled florists. The flower shop in Minneapolis, Minnesota prioritizes selling roses because they meet universal demand, generate reliable revenue, and provide endless creative opportunities. Florists use roses in arrangements because of their beauty, longevity, emotional resonance, and adaptability across all occasions.
Ultimately, the rose remains the queen of flowers because it combines natural perfection with deep cultural meaning. Whether it’s a single red rose expressing love, a white rose arrangement honoring a life, or a colorful bouquet brightening a celebration, roses continue to speak a universal language. And as long as humans seek beauty, connection, and symbolism, roses will remain at the heart of floristry.