June Gift Flower: Rose

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Pink climbing roses growing across the street from Bluebird Gardens.

Pink climbing roses growing across the street from Bluebird Gardens.

June Gift Flower: Rose

Roses are by far one of the most popular flowers in the Victorians "Language of Flowers," each type and color having a unique meaning.

Some meanings have evolved. According to Cindy Brick, yellow roses meant 'untrustworthy' to the Victorian, but by the mid-20th Century had come to symbolize friendship.

As June's gift flower, roses in general stand for beauty and love. 

There is a distinction between a full rose in bloom and a rosebud. One red rosebud represents "purity and loveliness; youth and beauty." A white rosebud represents girlhood.

A rose in full bloom represents adult love and devotion, or true love.

Luckily these days, people appreciate any rose, and I most appreciate those growing in my garden. Or in the case of these photos, the climbing roses growing literally across the street!

Cluster of pink climbing roses growing across the street from Bluebird Gardens.

Cluster of pink climbing roses growing across the street from Bluebird Gardens.

Although clusters of climbing roses are hard to cut for flower vases, they are not impossible. I recommend cutting them when they are still in bud form, which gives them extra time to unfold and show their loveliness.

The pink climbing rose shrub that has formed over the years across the street.

The pink climbing rose shrub that has formed over the years across the street.

Cut roses are wonderful but I recommend if you want to give roses, give a rose bush. That way the plant can be added to a flower bed and keep giving roses for many years to come!

Charlotte