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How rare are lavender roses?

How rare are lavender roses?

Lavender roses are roses that have a light purple or lavender color. They are relatively rare compared to more common rose colors like red, white, and pink. In this article, we’ll take a deep look at lavender roses, their history, how they’re grown, and just how rare they really are. We’ll also explore some interesting facts about lavender roses that you may not know.

A Brief History of Lavender Roses

Lavender roses are a more recent development in the long history of rose cultivation. Roses have been grown for thousands of years, but lavender roses have only come about in the last hundred years or so.

The first true lavender rose is believed to have been bred in 1937 by a French horticulturist named Mathias Tantau. Tantau used cross pollination to breed a rose with a distinctive lavender color from mauve and deep pink colored roses.

It took many years of careful breeding to achieve this lovely new color while still retaining the classic rose shape and fragrance. Tantau named his creation ‘Sterling Silver’ and it caused quite a stir when it debuted.

Since then, other hybridizers have used Sterling Silver to breed additional lavender rose varieties. Some popular lavender roses today include ‘Ebb Tide’, ‘Juliet’, and ‘Angel Face.’

So while lavender roses have a relatively short history compared to other rose colors, they’ve certainly made their mark on the floral world. Their unique color and antique appearance has made them a garden favorite.

Growing Conditions for Lavender Roses

Lavender roses thrive under similar conditions as most other rose varieties. Here are some key tips for successfully growing lavender roses:

– Full Sun – Lavender roses need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. Morning sun is ideal.

– Well-drained soil – Roses do not like wet feet. Make sure the soil drains well to prevent root rot.

– Moderate fertilization – Use a balanced rose fertilizer a couple times per growing season. Too much fertilizer can damage lavender color.

– Pruning – Prune bushes in early spring to shape and improve flowering. Remove dead or damaged canes.

– Protection from wind – Wind can damage buds and blooms. Use fencing or hedges as wind blocks if needed.

– Winter protection – In colder climates, protect bushes with mounds of compost or burlap wrappings over winter.

Provided these basic requirements are met, lavender roses can thrive both in the ground or in containers. Potted lavender roses make lovely additions to porches, patios, and garden beds.

Bloom Time and Fragrance

One of the nice features of lavender roses is their tendency to repeat bloom. Unlike many rose varieties that only bloom for a couple weeks in early summer, lavender roses will often continue to produce flowers throughout the growing season.

Each bloom cycle may only last about 3 weeks, but regular pruning encourages re-blooming. Deadheading spent blooms is also important to keep them flowering.

Lavender roses tend to reach peak bloom during late spring into early summer. However, in warmer climates, they may bloom off and on almost year round.

These roses have a lovely, distinctive fragrance from moderate to strong. It’s a sweet floral scent, sometimes described as having hints of honey or fruit. The lovely appearance and alluring fragrance of lavender roses is part of their charm for many gardeners.

The Rarity of Lavender Roses

So just how rare are lavender roses compared to other rose varieties? As a newer type of rose, they are certainly less common than classics like red roses and pink roses. But they are becoming more popular with each passing year.

To estimate their rarity, we can look at some statistics:

– There are over 150 rose species and thousands of hybrid varieties.

– However, only about 8-10 varieties are true lavender roses.

– Red roses make up about 35% of all roses sold.

– Lavender roses account for less than 1% of rose sales.

So while lavender roses are not extremely endangered or extinct, they are still relatively uncommon. Even at specialty rose growers, lavender roses are typically only about 5% of inventory. They are just beginning to catch on with the public and make their way into flower shops.

With their continued presence in gardens, lavender roses will likely continue to grow in popularity. But for now, they remain quite rare and special, adding a uniquely colored jewel to any garden.

Unique Uses for Lavender Roses

Lavender roses are ideal for adding a romantic, antique touch to floral arrangements and events. Here are some of the most popular and unique ways to use them:

– Weddings – Use lavender roses in bridal bouquets, centerpieces, and decor for a vintage flair.

– Fragrance – Float lavender rose petals in bowls of water to gently scent a room.

– Potpourri – Dried lavender rose petals hold their scent for years in potpourri.

– Crafting – Press lavender roses or use them to embellish candles, sachets, etc.

– Cooking – Use a few petals to add floral essence and color to desserts.

– Tea – Brew dried lavender rose buds into a soothing herbal tea.

– Cosmetics – Infuse lavender rose water or extract into lotions, creams, facial mists, etc.

– Decor – Style fresh or faux lavender roses in vases and centerpieces.

Let those creative juices flow when incorporating lavender roses! Their uniqueness begs to be shown off.

Interesting Facts About Lavender Roses

Here are some intriguing facts about lavender roses that you may not have known:

– Lavender roses naturally hybridize with other rose colors quite easily, requiring care by growers to preserve their unique color.

– The lavender color comes from a higher concentration of anthocyanin pigments in the flowers.

– While the common name is lavender rose, the color is technically closer to a mix of mauve and lilac.

– Lavender roses appear in famous paintings like Picasso’s ‘Girl with a Goat’ and Renoir’s ‘Roses in a Glass Vase.’

– In the Victorian language of flowers, lavender roses conveyed enchantment and love at first sight.

– Lavender roses are said to symbolize wonder, splendor, and uniqueness.

– The alternative birth flower for February is the lavender rose.

– Lavender rose bushes tend to be compact, making them ideal for containers and smaller spaces.

– They pair beautifully with cool colored flowers like baby’s breath, sage, and snapdragons.

The more you learn about lavender roses, the more intriguing they become! Hopefully this article has shed some light on the history, rarity, and facts around these beautiful purple roses. Let us know if you have any other lavender rose questions!

Conclusion

While lavender roses have only been around for about a century compared to the long history of rose cultivation, they’ve certainly made their mark. Their distinctive color, antique appearance, and sweet fragrance has made lavender roses a garden favorite.

Though they only account for a tiny fraction of all roses sold, lavender roses are slowly becoming more popular and available thanks to dedicated rose breeders. For now, they remain quite rare and special, adding a unique jewel tone to any garden or bouquet. We hope you’ve enjoyed learning more about the backgrounds, uses, and facts on lavender roses. Don’t be surprised if their entrancing beauty makes you want to add some of these purple blooms to your own garden soon!