Have you ever come across true blue roses? Many flowers like delphiniums and hydrangeas come in lively bright shades of blue or rich deep hues, however, a ‘real’ blue rose is extremely hard to come by. The blue variety is limited to artificial cultivation, and because of this, they tend to be very rare. Thanks to scientific innovations, this unusual but captivating color was achieved and is now available throughout the world.

 

Explore the meaning and history behind the obscurity of blue roses. This is your guide to 7 exciting facts about this rare flower and where to buy them.

A Guide to the Meaning of Blue Roses and Where to Find Them in the Philippines

What is the meaning of blue roses?

Blue roses are often associated with dreams, luxury, mystery, and uniqueness. They are extremely rare and can only be cultivated through artificial means, which makes it a luxury to have. Before they were grown, they were believed to be a myth, which inspired its enigmatic perception around the world.

 

The flower proves that no matter how rare it is, giving someone blue rose arrangements shows the love and commitment they have for their significant other. 

7 Interesting Blue Rose Facts You Should Know

1. The blue rose is the first genetically modified rose.

Blue is not part of the naturally-occurring colors in the rosacea family, rather, it is a product of a research and development collaboration between Japanese firm Suntory and Australian biotech company Florigene. The Blue Rose project ran from 1990 to 2004, and involved a long, detailed process of extracting blue genes from various flowers, such as petunias and pansies, which scientists would introduce to flowers. After many attempts and refined techniques, blue roses began to bloom and were introduced to the global market under the name ‘Applause’.

2. The first varieties were more lavender than blue.

Despite their significant breakthrough, the scientists only succeeded in producing a bluish-lavender hue, rather than a true blue rose. Vibrant ones are extremely hard to come by, much less raise and maintain. Because blue is not a natural color among roses, increased artificial pigment can make the flower less stable and probable to grow. Until today, true blue colors are still difficult to achieve.

3. Blue varieties are more expensive than regular roses.

Given its rarity, the price of a blue rose back in 2004-2011 reportedly ranged from $22 to $33 per stem. The arduous process of creating these rare blooms, including research and development, genetic engineering, regulatory approval, patenting, and its novel features, also contribute to their high costs.

4. They are well-suited for elegant and luxurious flower arrangements.

The elusiveness and costly nature of these roses make them a symbol of luxury and uniqueness. They are used to create elaborate floral arrangements for weddings, exclusive balls, and other high-end events. It’s definitely possible to get a blue rose bouquet for your wedding or garden party, but it can be less cost-efficient than organic roses.

5. Various artificial techniques are used to produce blue roses today.

Aside from the expensive genetic engineering process used to make the first blue rose, there are other less costly methods, such as:

 

• Dyeing: Plant scientists organically develop blue dyes from plants that produce blue pigments and use this color to dye white roses. 
• Spraying: Florists use water-based color spray paint to dye fresh flowers and achieve a more vibrant blue hue.
• Hybridization: Between two parent flowers, one flower is emasculated to prevent self-pollination, then pollen is manually transferred from the other parent flower, and finally, the new seeds are harvested.

  6. They inspired literary pieces and artwork.

Australian writer Kate Forsyth authored ‘The Blue Rose’, a love story set in 16th-century France. The American mystery-horror TV show ‘Twin Peaks’ utilized them as a symbol for impossible or unsolvable cases. In Asia, Japanese singer Ado chose a blue rose for her motif, which appears on her fan merchandise and album covers. She explains that it signifies ‘her wishes coming true’.

7. You can get diverse alternatives to blue roses.

A wide range of roses is bred to produce blue hues, and although their shades tend to lean more toward lavender, they can be combined to create a vibrant bouquet.

 

• Blue Girl – A hybrid tea rose that is said to have the best rose scent. Its lavender petals appear blue in the shadow and towards the stem.
• Rhapsody in Blue – A type of rose that comes in striking violet, which contains strong tinges of blue.
• Blue for You – Floribunda roses that bloom purple, and fade into slightly dark blue.
• Stem-Dyed Roses – Artificially-dyed roses which stems are split, then dipped in food coloring to achieve a vibrant blue color.

 

If these flowers are hard to come by, you can opt for other types of flowers that come in bluish hues, such as: 

 

• Hydrangeas – These charming flowers bloom in shades of blue, white, and pink. It is ideal to plant hydrangeas on alkaline soil to achieve the blue variety.
• Delphinium  – Blue and purple are the common colors of delphinium. Its shades can range from pale to lively blues.
• Geranium – The hybrid Johnson’s Blue Geranium boasts blue-violet petals, sometimes in a sky-blue shade.

Where to Buy Blue Roses in the Philippines

Get fresh blue roses at a florist like Flower Patch in Pasig, which offers a variety of Philippine and imported roses. They offer an 18-piece imported blue rose bouquet that comes in an attractive, calming combination of classic blue and cream white petals.

 

Flower Patch also offers a vibrant Philippine blue rose bouquet that will immediately brighten up any blue lover’s day. You can also avail of their free flower delivery service in Quezon City, Pasig, Manila, Mandaluyong, and Makati to send fresh floral arrangements on the same day.

 

What was once a myth, the blue rose has become a scientific marvel, symbolizing the actualization of something that used to be impossible. This impressive blossom is proof that with enough effort, the most unimaginable dreams can come true.

 

ALSO READ: 10 Different Types of Roses for Eye-catching Bouquets

 

Avail of fresh, vivid flower arrangements at Flower Patch, your trusted Philippine florist. Our stunning bouquets, baskets, standing sprays, and wreaths are carefully crafted by our in-house experts for different occasions and life milestones. Reach out to us today to order gorgeous blooms. Delivery is on us!