Flowers · Roses
Roses, delivered in Tampa Bay.
A practical guide to choosing roses: the varieties, how many stems to send, what the colors say, and how to keep them looking good in Florida heat.
Before you order
Most rose decisions come down to three questions.
Roses are the most requested flower in the studio, and most people already know they want them. The harder questions are which kind, how many and in what color. Get those three right and the rest is easy. This page walks through each, with the rose designs we offer and how to look after them once they arrive in a Florida home.
If you're sending roses for a specific occasion, our guides to anniversary and romance flowers and Valentine's Day flowers cover the timing and the card. This page is about the rose itself.
From the shop
Rose designs from the studio
Prices are the studio's current starting prices. Every design is made to order, so the exact stems change with the season.
Bespoke Roses
$750Our all-rose composition, built in a bespoke vessel. $750, for anniversaries, proposals and the moments that call for a lot of roses.
Bespoke Wrapped Bouquet
$100 – $250Hand-tied and wrapped, from $100. The Velvet Dusk look leans on blush roses and dusky tones; add a vase for $20 or $40.
Bay Way
$325A compact vase at $325, sized for a desk or a nightstand, so the roses sit where they will actually be seen every day.
Culbreath Isles
$150 – $300A fuller arrangement with movement and mixed garden stems, from $150, for when you want roses as part of a bigger picture.
Types
Standard roses, garden roses and spray roses
Not every rose is the same flower. The three you'll see most often in professional arrangements are quite different.
For a single dramatic gesture, standard roses in a single color are hard to beat. For an arrangement that looks gathered from a garden, garden roses mixed with other stems are the better choice. Many of the studio's designs mix the two.
- Standard (hybrid tea) roses have one large, high-centered bloom on a long, straight stem. They're the classic red rose of Valentine's Day, they open slowly and they hold their shape for days.
- Garden roses are fuller and softer, with many more petals arranged in cups or rosettes. Many are fragrant, which most standard roses are not. They open faster and have a shorter vase life, but they give an arrangement a loose, romantic look that standard roses can't.
- Spray roses carry several small blooms on one stem. They fill out bouquets, work well in boutonnieres and add texture next to larger flowers.
Stem counts
What 12, 24 or 50 roses actually look like
People often ask how many roses to send. The number carries some tradition, but the practical question is how it will look.
The Bespoke Roses design is built for the larger end of that range. If you want a specific number for a meaningful reason, such as one rose for each year of marriage, tell us when you order and we'll design around it.
- One rose is a simple, personal gesture. It works best with a short, specific card.
- Six to twelve roses make a classic hand-tied bouquet. Twelve is the traditional dozen, and it fills a standard vase without looking sparse.
- Twenty-four roses make a full, generous bouquet that needs a larger vase. It reads as abundant from across a room.
- Fifty roses or more become a statement piece. At this size, a low, wide vessel looks better than a tall vase, because the roses form a dome.
Color
What different rose colors usually mean
Rose color meanings are a tradition rather than a rule, and most people choose colors they like. Still, it's worth knowing what a color may say to the person receiving it.
For sympathy, white and soft pastel roses are the usual choice. For romance, red or deep pink. When you're not sure, a mix of blush, peach and ivory is warm without carrying a strong message.
- Red: romantic love. The obvious choice for an anniversary or Valentine's Day, and less suited to a colleague or a friend.
- Pink: affection, gratitude and admiration. Lighter pinks feel gentle; deeper pinks feel celebratory.
- White: new beginnings, respect and remembrance. White roses work for weddings, new babies and sympathy.
- Peach and coral: warmth, thanks and friendship. A good choice when red feels too strong.
- Yellow: friendship and cheer. Bright and happy, but traditionally not romantic.
- Lavender: enchantment. Less common, and memorable for that reason.
In Florida
Why roses need a little more care here
Roses don't love heat. In a Tampa summer, a car parked in the sun can be over 120°F inside, and a bouquet left there for half an hour will start to wilt. Even indoors, an arrangement placed in direct sun by a window, or next to an oven, will open and drop faster than one in a cool spot.
The good news is that air-conditioned homes are kind to roses. In a room kept at around 72°F, away from direct sun, most roses last about five to seven days, and standard roses often longer. Garden roses generally have a shorter vase life than standard roses, which is the trade-off for their fullness and scent.
Care
Keeping roses fresh at home
A few simple habits make a real difference:
The outer petals on standard roses, sometimes called guard petals, can look slightly bruised. That's normal, and they protect the bloom. You can gently remove them once the rose starts to open.
- Re-cut the stems at an angle, about an inch from the bottom, when they arrive and every two days after that. Use sharp scissors or a knife so the stem isn't crushed.
- Change the water every two days. Clean water matters more than anything else.
- Remove any leaves below the waterline, since they rot and feed bacteria.
- Keep the roses away from direct sun, heating and cooling vents, and fruit bowls. Ripening fruit releases ethylene, which shortens the life of cut flowers.
- If a rose head droops early, re-cut the stem and leave it in warm water for an hour. That often revives it.
Gifting
Roses for people other than a partner
Roses aren't only romantic. A mix of peach and ivory roses works for a friend's birthday, a thank-you or a new job. White roses suit a new baby or a sympathy gift. For a colleague or a client, mixing roses with other garden stems keeps the gift warm without the romance of a red dozen. Our birthday flowers and Mother's Day guides have more ideas.
Ordering
Getting the details right
When you order roses, a few details help us get it right:
For deliveries across the area, see our flower delivery page, or call the studio on (813) 252-0601.
- Who they're for and the occasion, so we can suggest the right color and size.
- Where they're going: a home, an office, a hospital or a hotel. Some hospital units restrict flowers, so check first if you're sending to a patient.
- A short card message. If you're not sure what to write, our flower etiquette guide has examples.
FAQ
Rose questions.
How many roses should I send?
Twelve roses make a classic bouquet that fills a standard vase. Twenty-four look generous and abundant. Fifty or more become a statement piece, best in a low, wide vessel. For a meaningful number, such as one rose for each year together, tell us when you order.
How long do roses last in Florida?
In an air-conditioned room around 72°F, away from direct sun, most roses last about five to seven days, and standard roses often longer. Garden roses have a shorter vase life. Fresh water every two days and re-cut stems help them last.
What is the difference between garden roses and regular roses?
Garden roses have many more petals, a fuller cup or rosette shape and often a strong fragrance. Standard roses have one large, high-centered bloom on a long stem and last longer in the vase.
What color roses should I send for sympathy?
White and soft pastel roses are the traditional choice for sympathy. Peach and pale pink are also appropriate. Red roses are usually kept for romance.
Why are my roses drooping?
Usually air has entered the stem and is blocking water. Re-cut the stem at an angle and leave it in warm water for an hour. Keep the roses out of heat and direct sun.
From the journal
More flowers
Send roses today.
Order online, or call us for custom designs and same-day requests.