Purple roses are sought-after for their unique color. While red roses symbolize love and passion, purple roses signify charm, enchantment, and magnetism. They stand out with their rich, dark tone that looks almost black. But are dark purple roses actually rare? Let’s take a closer look at purple roses and examine their availability.
The genetics behind purple roses
Purple roses get their distinctive color from the pigment anthocyanin. This pigment is also present in other purple flowers like violets and pansies. For a rose to become purple, crossbreeding is required between specific rose varieties in order to produce the right combination of genes.
A common way to create purple roses is by crossbreeding red and blue roses. The red roses contribute the bright pinkish-red pigment cyanidin, while the blue roses lend their cool bluish-purple pigment delphinidin. When these pigments combine in the right proportions, they create the rich, dark purple color.
Some key rose varieties used in creating purple roses include:
- Rosa gallica – ancient European rose with strong scent, parent of many old garden roses
- Rosa chinensis – brought Asian roses to Europe, parent of modern roses
- Rosa ‘Cardinal de Richelieu’ – red gallica rose
- Rosa ‘Lilacina’ – light purple China rose
- Rosa ‘Bleu Magenta’ – purplish-blue hybrid rose
Through meticulous crossbreeding over many generations, rose hybridizers are able to create new varieties expressing the elusive purple trait.
Availability of purple roses
For a long time, truly purple roses were quite rare. While lilac and mauve roses existed, the darker hues were difficult to achieve. The first commercially available purple rose was ‘Veilchenblau’, bred in Germany in 1909. However, it took another 60 years before improved purple roses were introduced.
Some of the first modern, richly-colored purple roses include:
- ‘Ebb Tide’ (1969) – deep reddish purple
- ‘Night Owl’ (1977) – reddish purple
- ‘Purple Tiger’ (1977) – medium purple
In the 1980s and 1990s, purple rose breeding gained momentum. Famed hybridizers like David Austin released famous varieties like ‘The Prince’ (1986). Other award-winning purple releases include ‘Rhapsody in Blue’ (1984) and ‘Blue Moon’ (2000).
Today, there are numerous purple rose varieties available from rose growers and retailers:
| Rose Name | Color | Year Introduced |
|---|---|---|
| Black Baccara | Very dark purple | 2001 |
| Blue Girl | Violet-blue | 1996 |
| Burgundy Iceberg | Dark red-purple | 2003 |
| Midnight Blue | Rich purple | 2003 |
| Mister Lincoln | Dark red-purple | 1965 |
Thanks to hybridizing efforts, the choice of purple roses is now quite broad, with varieties available in every shade from pale lilac through deep aubergine. While still considered special, purple roses are becoming increasingly common.
Growing purple roses
If you wish to grow purple roses yourself, varieties are available as container-grown nursery plants, bare-root plants by mail order, or sometimes sold as cuttings. Look for modern award-winning varieties for the richest purple blooms. Good choices include:
– ‘Twilight Zone’ – deep reddish-purple, repeat bloomer
– ‘Ebb Tide’ – elegant, fragrant, very dark purple
– ‘Purple Haze’ – ruffled, velvety purple blooms
Site purple roses in full sun for the best color development. They prefer fertile, humus-rich soils. Add compost or well-rotted manure when planting. Water regularly during the first growing season to establish an extensive root system. After they are established, purple roses are quite robust and make excellent landscape plants.
To extend the bloom period, promptly deadhead spent flowers. Fertilize monthly with a balanced rose fertilizer and monitor for pests like aphids, Japanese beetles, and powdery mildew. In winter, prune back by 1/3 to 1/2 their height and mulch the base for cold protection.
Buying purple roses
When buying cut purple roses, look for fully open, vividly colored flowers without ragged or browning petals. The stems should be straight and sturdy. Strip the lower leaves and recut the stem on an angle before placing in a vase.
Cut purple roses are available at:
– Local florists – order a specialty bouquet
– Flower shops and grocery stores – often in mixed bouquets
– Online stores like 1-800-Flowers, FTD, etc.
Prices range widely:
– Single stems $2-$6 apiece
– Small bouquets $15-$50
– Large vase arrangements $50-$100
Due to their novelty, purple roses sometimes cost a bit more than red roses. But as they’ve become more common, pricing is comparable to other upscale roses like orange or yellow. Arrangements with both purple and red roses provide an eye-catching contrast.
For the best selection and pricing, order purple roses 1-2 weeks ahead of an event. Allow extra time near holidays when demand is highest.
The meaning of purple roses
Beyond their visual appeal, the color purple also carries symbolic meaning. Traditionally, purple roses represent:
– Enchantment – mystical, magical associations with purple
– Love at first sight – sparked by their rare, exotic hue
– Majesty – purple connotes richness, royalty
– Fascination – purple evokes an air of mystery and intrigue
So purple roses make perfect gifts for:
– Expressing a love that is spellbinding and passionate
– Wowing a recipient with a rare and exotic flower
– Celebrating a majestic or regal occasion or person
– Declaring your fascination with and attraction to someone
Purple roses can communicate ‘magic is afoot’ – expect the unexpected! Their distinctive hue adds a thrilling twist to any floral gift or bouquet.
Conclusion
While previously quite rare, richly purple roses are now readily available thanks to the diligent efforts of rose breeders over the past century. Varieties exist in many shades from pale mauve to deep blackish-purple. Growing conditions simply need full sun and a fertile soil. Buying cut stems is now possible from most florists, flower shops, or online stores. Beyond their visual allure, purple roses carry symbolic meanings of enchantment, mystical love, majesty, and fascination. Still sought-after for their novelty, purple roses make exciting additions to special gifts or floral arrangements.
