Purple roses are a beautiful and intriguing variation of the classic rose flower. While red roses symbolize love and romance and yellow roses stand for friendship, purple roses have a more mysterious and magical meaning. Their unique color prompts the question – are purple roses found in nature or are they the product of human intervention?
The quick answer is that natural purple roses do exist, but they are extremely rare. Most purple roses today are created through selective breeding or genetic modifications. However, there are a few naturally occurring purple rose species, mainly originating in Asia.
The origins of purple roses
Roses belong to the genus Rosa, which includes over 300 species and thousands of cultivars. Rose species come in a diverse range of colors – red, pink, white, yellow and orange being the most common. True blue roses do not exist naturally, and natural purple roses are rare.
The first noted discovery of purple roses growing in the wild was in China. These were species of Rosa chinensis, Rosa gigantean and Rosa moyesii. Rosa gigantean is a tall climbing rose with large, singular purple blooms. Rosa moyesii, also known as the Moyes rose, is a shrub rose with vibrant crimson-purple flowers.
A few other naturally occurring purple or lavender rose species have been found, such as Rosa fedtschenkoana which is native to Central Asia, and Rosa glauca, a wild rose species that grows in central and southern Europe. However, these natural purple roses have lighter lavender or lilac hues rather than the deep purple that is widely recognized today.
Breeding of modern purple roses
While natural purple rose varieties do exist, the deep purple roses commonly seen today are hybrids created through selective breeding and crosses between different species.
Rose hybridization began centuries ago and really took off in the 1800s. Purple roses started appearing in the early 20th century, as breeders experimented with crossing red and crimson roses with blue or lavender species.
One of the first commercially introduced purple roses was ‘Cardinal de Richelieu’ in the 1920s. It was bred by horticulturalists in France and quickly made an impact with its rich, velvety purple blooms.
Other early dark purple hybrids include ‘Ebb Tide’ and ‘Night Owl’, but these flowers faded easily in the sun. It took decades more of breeding to achieve a vivid purple color that held well in different lighting.
Significant breakthroughs came in the late 20th century, as rose hybridizers used wild roses native to Asia with reddish-purple hues to breed more saturated purples. Famous purple roses from this era include ‘Purple Tiger’ and ‘Midnight Blue’.
Genetic modifications of purple roses
In recent years, biotechnology has enabled scientists to create unique rose colors through genetic modification. This involves directly inserting genes into the rose plant’s DNA sequence rather than cross-breeding.
One famous example is the ‘Applause’ purple rose variety developed by a Japanese company in 2009. It was genetically engineered to have high levels of delphinidin, a pigment molecule that gives purple irises and violas their regal color.
Other purple roses created through biotech include ‘Purple Haze’ and ‘Ebb Tide Improved’, variants of earlier purple hybrids bred with genes to enhance color and longevity. However, genetically modified purple roses are less common than naturally bred hybrids.
Availability of purple roses
While natural purple rose species are quite rare, the hybrids and cultivars bred over the past century are now widely available thanks to commercial rose production. Purple roses can be purchased from florists, garden centers, nurseries and online stores.
The purple rose options available include:
| Variety | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| ‘Twilight Zone’ | Deep purple with mild fragrance |
| ‘Ebb Tide’ | Dark purple fading to pale lavender |
| ‘Purple Tiger’ | Striking striped purple blooms |
| ‘Night Owl’ | Deep purple with yellow stamens |
| ‘Mystic Fairy’ | Ruffled, pale purple blooms |
These modern hybrids come mainly as bush-type shrub roses or as floribunda types ideal for color borders. Purple climber rose varieties are more rare but starting to emerge.
Prices range widely based on plant size and maturity – from $15-$30 for a young plant or cutting to $50-$75 for a larger bush. Customers can buy potted purple rose plants that are a year or two old and close to bloom size.
Ideal growing conditions
Purple roses require similar care as other roses but have some specific needs to help their unique coloring develop and remain vivid. Here are the ideal growing conditions:
– Full sun – At least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day ensures the richest color. Morning sun is better than hot afternoon sun.
-Even moisture – Water around 1-2 inches per week consistently, avoiding droughts or waterlogging. Mulch helps retain soil moisture.
-Rich, acidic soil – Purple roses thrive in soil with a pH between 6.0-6.5. Add compost or a balanced organic fertilizer.
-Cooler climates – Temperatures consistently above 85°F can cause purple coloring to fade. Perfect zones are 5-9.
-Deadheading – Snip off spent blooms to encourage reblooming. Make cuts just above a leaf node.
Meeting these conditions will help ensure purple roses display their regal colors and distinctive blooms throughout the seasons.
Care and pruning
Caring for purple roses is similar to other roses but here are some tips:
– Water deeply 2-3 times per week to maintain moist soil. Apply water at soil level.
– Feed monthly through the growing season with a balanced fertilizer. Discontinue in mid-autumn.
– Monitor for pests like aphids and diseases like powdery mildew. Treat promptly when detected.
– Prune lightly each spring by cutting back old stems by 1/3 to shape the plant. Make cuts at a 45 degree angle just above an outward facing bud. Remove any dead or damaged stems entirely.
– Protect plants in very cold winters by mounding soil, leaves or mulch around the base. Prune back stems further in fall to prevent damage.
With proper care, purple roses can thrive for many years, renewing their stunning blooms each season.
Propagating purple roses
Purple rose plants can be propagated in a few ways to create new plants:
– Take 6-8 inch stem cuttings in early summer. Remove leaves from the bottom half, dip in rooting hormone and plant in potting mix. Keep moist until roots form.
– Mound soil or mulch around an existing plant to encourage new roots to form along the stems. These can be dug up and replanted once established.
– Graft a cutting or side shoot onto the rootstock of another vigorous rose plant. Use grafting tape to secure and trim off once united.
– Grow plants from seeds collected from spent rose hips in fall. Stratify seeds then sow indoors. Transplant seedlings when big enough.
These methods allow you to expand your purple rose collection. Share cuttings with fellow gardeners!
Companion plants
Here are some ideal companion plants that match and complement purple roses aesthetically:
– Catmint – Pretty purple perennial that flowers at the same time. Helps repel pests.
– Lavender – Harmonizes perfectly with purple roses. Compact varieties work well in containers.
– Salvia – Tall purple spires add height and contrast to purple rose bushes. Attracts pollinators.
– Verbena – Trailing purple verbena flows nicely around rose shrubs. Blooms all season.
– Astilbe – Feathery, purple plumes fit nicely around roses. Does well in shade.
– Grape hyacinths – Early spring bloom time complements recurrent rose flowers. Provide purple pop.
Blending these companion plants with purple roses creates a striking and cohesive purple theme in the garden or landscape beds.
Uses for purple roses
The unique beauty of purple roses gives them many wonderful uses:
– Bouquets – As focal or accent flowers. Pair with white for contrast.
– Arrangements – Float single blooms in bowls or incorporate into centerpieces.
– Beds – Mass for color impact or mix with other roses and perennials.
– Borders – Use as edging plants along paths, fences and structures.
– Containers – Plant in pots, window boxes or hanging baskets. Keep watered.
– Weddings – Use in bridal and bridesmaids bouquets and venue decor.
– Special events – Add dramatic flair to birthdays, anniversaries and holiday celebrations.
– Gardens – Grow as specimens or sections within cottage, victory and rose gardens.
– Displays – Showcase cut blooms in vases and jars indoors.
The bold beauty of purple roses shines whenever you incorporate them into designs and decor.
Meaning and symbolism
Purple roses evoke mystery and enchantment with their rare, magical color. Their key symbolic meanings include:
– Fascination – The unusual color is captivating and intriguing.
– Magic – Associated with the mystic and spiritual.
– Royalty – Historically linked to kings, queens and emperors.
– Creativity – Inspires new thoughts and artistic expression.
– Individuality – Unique from traditional rose colors.
– Tribute – Used to honor someone special or personal heroes.
– Gratitude – Purple conveys deep appreciation when given as a gift.
– Ambition – Motivates people to reach for dreams and goals.
The lavish purple hue gives this rose far more depth than just a color. It has rich connotations tapping into imagination and emotion.
Conclusion
While natural purple roses are quite rare, breeders have created an abundance of purple cultivars that capture the imagination with their regal beauty. These hybrids thrive with the right growing conditions and care. Purple roses offer a striking yet mystical presence in gardens, florals or any setting. When you see their majestic purple petals unfurl, it’s clear why purple roses inspire such fascination and delight.