The 4 Different Types of Roses for Wedding Bouquets
There are more than 150 different types of roses in the world, but there are only a handful that make regular appearances in wedding bouquets.
The most popular roses for weddings are hybrid tea roses, sweetheart roses, garden roses, and spray roses.
Roses make for beautiful bouquets and arrangements. They come in all shapes and sizes. If you are not feeling the look of a classic rose, there are a variety of options like ruffled garden roses, petite spray roses, or delicate sweetheart roses to pick from.
These rose types come in just about every shade, and each color has its own rose color meanings. Making it easy to add meaning to your bouquet or arrangement, or give a gift that conveys the perfect message!
Read on to learn more about each of these wedding rose types!
1. Hybrid Tea Rose (a.k.a. The Standard Rose)
This classic flower is undeniably beautiful and elegant, and stuns whether alone or in bunches. These are the modern roses that have captivated people since the 1860s when they were first grown. To achieve their classic shape, hybrid roses are grown in greenhouses by crossing a hybrid rose with a rose (hence the name Hybrid Tea Rose). Hybrids have a single bloom, 3-5 inches wide, that rests on a long slender stem. They are known for their high centers, variety of colors and thick, velvety petals.
These roses have only a subtle scent if any at all. To achieve perfection, hybrids are grown in greenhouses. While many varieties are available year round, some will reach their peaks at different seasons. If planning a wedding or special event, its best to select a variety that is at its peak.
2. Sweetheart Rose
Sweetheart roses are petite blooms that will range from 2 inches to 3 inches wide. These types of roses are perfect for boutonniere work, flower crowns or adding into centerpieces. Since these are a specialty rose, be prepared to spend a little more. Depending on the variety, these sweetheart roses come in wholesale quantities as small as 150 stems.
They have all the beauty and fragrance of standard roses but can be used in higher quantities, therefore giving a seemingly fuller arrangement. Sweetheart roses are good to blend with their larger counterparts to create variety and visual interest. They come in a variety of colors from traditional reds to soft lavenders and pastel pinks.
3. Spray Roses
Spray roses are an even smaller variation of roses that have multiple small blooms attached to one primary stem. They typically have three to five blooms, which can be used as a filler or the primary flowers of the arrangement. Because of the variance in size, about 3.5-5.5 inches, they serve as a wonderful filler flower and are great for adding texture as many people like the contrast of the open and closed buds.
These incredibly sweet roses are available in a variety of colors like ivory, white, shades of pink and other beautiful colors. They are also available in garden and hybrid tea varieties. Spray roses are available in wholesale quantities as small as 20 stems (2 bunches). Keep in mind you're getting multiple blooms per stem.
4. Garden Roses (a.k.a. Old-Fashioned Roses)
Garden roses are far larger and more lush than the other varieties with blooms ranging from 3.5-5.5 inches wide. Garden roses date back to the 14th century, which is why they're also known as old-fashioned roses.
These fragrant flowers are often very open, and they’re more natural and free form — like something you’d find in your own garden (hence the name). These highly sought-after flowers have a fluffy texture that will add a soft and romantic feel to any bouquet.
For the bride drawn to this flower, be prepared to increase your budget — these roses are more costly than standard roses. Although these garden roses are a little more expensive, it only takes a few stems to make an impact since the blooms are a lot larger.
This variety is also a great alternative to peonies. They have similar ruffled look when filly bloomed. The best part is, they're available in a variety of colors year-round!
Roses are gorgeous and elegant flowers that will never go out of style. No matter which type you choose or how you arrange them, they'll add beauty and grace to your designs.
We'd love to see how you incorporate roses into your wedding flowers! Remember to tag us @fiftyflowers so we can check out your beautiful bouquets and arrangements.
Want to buy roses but don't know where to start? We're here to help! Schedule and consultation with one of our in-house floral experts. They'll guide you through the process, answer questions, and help with design.
Updated by Julia Thompson 01/20/2023
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