Birthday Flowers: Roses

The birth flowers for the month of May are roses and honeysuckle. The bold fragrance and range of colors makes the rose a favorite any time of the year, and a special tribute to anyone born in June. Colors range from deep red, to shades of pink, yellow, orange, and the palest white. The general meaning for roses includes love, beauty, honor, faith, devotion, romance, and happiness.

June - Roses

As with other birthday flowers, the color of roses can also convey special meanings:

• Red - love and passionate love
• Yellow - friendship
• Pink - grace, joy, admiration, and gratitude
• White - purity and innocence
• Orange - passion and enthusiasm

The number of roses you send also has meaning:

• 1 rose - love at first sight
• 2 roses - deep, shared love
• 3 roses - I love you
• 6 roses - I want to be yours
• 7 roses - I'm infatuated with you
• 9 roses - eternal love
• 10 roses - you're perfect

Roses (Rosa spp.) are woody perennials with prickly stems (often referred to as thorns), alternate leaves, fragrant flowers, and a fruit called a rose hip. The rose fragrance is captured in perfume, toiletries, and candles. Rose petals are used in sachets and potpourri, and sprinkled over bath water. Rose water adds a floral essence to cooking, and the rose hips make a delicious jam. Roses are popular to give, and to grow in the garden. With 300 species and thousands of cultivars from which to choose, you're sure to find something for your garden. The history of roses and rose cultivation is long and fascinating, and worth looking into!