Flower meanings
Tinted Rose Sky Blue: A Unique Floral Statement in Toronto
/2 min read
A tinted rose in sky blue is a real rose with a colour no rose grows on its own. Roses don't have the pigment that makes delphiniums and cornflowers blue, so every blue rose you see has been dyed. Usually a white or very pale rose is cut and stood in dyed water, and the colour travels up the stem into the petals over a day or so. Some growers spray or dip the heads instead, which gives a more even colour. Stem-dyed roses often show darker veins and deeper edges, which we think is the nicer look. Japanese researchers did produce a genetically modified "blue" rose, but in person it's closer to lavender than sky blue.
What does a sky blue rose mean? Because nature never made one, the blue rose has long stood for mystery, the impossible and the unattainable. That gives it a few good uses: a gift for someone who's one of a kind, a "we made it" anniversary, or a congratulations for someone who pulled off something unlikely. Lighter blues read calmer and softer than the deep royal blue roses you sometimes see. Blue also suits occasions where red or pink would feel too romantic, like a graduation, a retirement or a thank-you to a colleague. The colour also photographs well.
A few things to know before buying a tinted rose sky blue. Dyed roses usually last about as long as undyed ones, roughly a week with fresh water and a trimmed stem. The dye can tint the vase water and may rub off on damp hands, so keep them off a white tablecloth for the first day. Recut the stem every couple of days and keep the vase out of direct sun, which can fade the colour. Our guide to making fresh flowers last longer covers the rest.
Can you order one from us? Tinted roses aren't part of our current range at Laris Florist. If you're after a sky blue rose for a particular occasion, call us at (437) 291-5605 and ask. In the meantime, our natural roses come in plenty of colours, and the rest of our range is in the shop. We design every order by hand in our studio in Oak Ridges and deliver across York Region and Toronto.
