Roses on Your Table

Lately I’ve forgotten to stop and smell the roses, but I tell myself I should. I live in a fairly cold climate, so waiting for the roses to bloom in June is not an option for me. Instead, I’ve gotten into the habit of buying roses.

Fresh roses pick me up when I’m feeling droopy. Although a dozen long stem roses or tea roses are preferable, my pocketbook prefers about six plain roses now and then.

Buying roses is an indulgence, but one that reminds me to pause and reflect more, too. I recently discovered stopandsmelltheroses.net, a Web site that offers framed photos of flowers—something a little more permanent. A portion of the proceeds goes to Heifer International, a nonprofit that works to end world hunger and poverty. Now that’s something to reflect on!

Rose Language

Everyone has her own opinion about what each color signifies. There are no hard and fast rules, but here’s my take:

• Red: Passion, respect, and courage; it says “I love you.”

• White: Innocence and purity; it says “You’re heavenly.” Of course, it’s a common color used at funerals, so it can be equated with death, too. This can be positive or negative, depending on your experience.

• Light pink: Admiration

• Pink: Grace; I’ve given several baby showers. I often mix pink and light pink roses in the bouquets I create.

• Dark pink: Gratitude and admiration; I always thought dark pink would be perfect for a boss I admired, though I’ve never actually done it.

• Yellow: Joy and gladness; after my mom gave birth to my younger brother, some family members brought yellow roses to the hospital room. I still remember his tiny face amid all the yellow roses.

• Coral: Enthusiasm; verve

Buying

Florists are like restaurants—once you’ve been, you know what to expect. In my experience, if it’s a good place, it’s consistently good. The same goes for online florists, nurseries, street vendors, and corner stores.

When I purchase roses, I try to find ones that will give me maximum vase life. I look for petals that are firm and hydrated and feel crisp to the touch—never wilted looking. If the buds are too tight and hard, they’ve been harvested too early and won’t last long. I choose the petals that are slightly open and just beginning to unfurl.