For centuries people have cherished roses for their beauty and symbolism, but did you know that each color carries its own unique history and meaning?
Some rose colors are linked to ancient myths and legends; others to modern horticultural breakthroughs. The story of rose colors is as vibrant and varied as the flowers themselves.
In this article, we’ll explore the fascinating histories behind black, blue, green, orange, pink, purple, red, white, and yellow roses – uncovering the myths, legends, and scientific advancements associated with each color.
The history of black roses
In ancient Greece and Rome, black roses symbolized death and tragic love. The Romans linked these dark flowers with black magic, believing a single black rose could transform bad luck into good, or vice versa. On the battlefield, black roses embodied power and strength among warriors.
The 16th-century Irish political song “Little Dark Rose” (translated from “Róisín Dubh”) is renowned for its themes of rebellion and resilience. Irish warriors viewed the black rose as a symbol of defiance against British rule, contrasting the Irish black rose against the British red rose.
According to legend, in the early 20th century, the Sicilian mafia used a single black rose to forewarn of impending murder, a secret message understood only by mafia members. If you found a single black rose on your doorstep – you knew you were in trouble.
In the 1970s, the black rose emerged as a symbol of anarchy. During this period, “Black Rose” was the title of a journal promoting anarchist ideas. The name was later adopted for an anarchist lecture series that persisted into the 1990s, and the Black Rose Anarchist Federation was established in the U.S. in 2014. Additionally, Black Rose Publishing, an anarchist press, is based in Montreal, Canada.
In 2013, rumors spread online that true black roses grew exclusively in Halfeti, Turkey. However, this was a tourism-driven myth—the “Kara Gül” rose is actually a deep red hue.
If you’d like to learn more about black roses, check out my article dedicated to the meaning of black roses.
The history of blue roses
The earliest mention of blue roses dates back to the 12th century, documented by Andalusian Arab agriculturist Abu Zakariya Ibn al-Awwam. In his manual, he described an azure rose in his garden. Some scholars believe he may have been referring to the blue ‘Rose of Sharon’. A French translation of his work suggests that the blue rose was achieved by infusing blue dye into the root bark of his rose plants.
In horticulture, the blue rose has long been considered the “holy grail” of flowers. In 1840, horticultural societies in Britain and Belgium offered a reward of 500,000 francs (equivalent to about $3.5 million USD) to anyone who could create a true blue rose!
In 1990, the Australian company Florigene teamed up with the Japanese beverage giant Suntory to pursue the creation of blue roses. By 1998, scientists had genetically engineered a blue rose, which they unveiled in 2004 under the name “APPLAUSE,” symbolizing the achievement of dreams. However, the APPLAUSE rose, while containing nearly 100% of the introduced blue pigments, did not result in a true blue color, but rather a lavender hue. Suntory continues to strive towards developing a rose with a genuine blue color.
In 2018, researchers employed modern biotechnology to inject bacteria into white roses, turning the petals blue. Unfortunately, the color proved to be unstable.
If you’d like to learn more about blue roses, check out my article dedicated to the meaning of blue roses.
The history of green roses
Green Roses in the Forbidden City (1743)
The earliest records of green roses date back to 1743 in China, where they were exclusively grown for the Qiánlóng Emperor within the Forbidden City. Unlike contemporary roses, these green roses lacked traditional petals, consisting only of sepals—the small pointed leaves beneath a typical bloom—and a leafy core. This unique structure gave the appearance of spiky, pointed green leaves rather than soft, rounded petals. They even emitted a peppery fragrance.
Experts suggest these roses may have evolved from older species such as Slater’s Crimson China or Parson’s Pink China. Known as Green Rose, or “rosa chinesis viridiflora,” this flower was a rare genetic anomaly that could not be cultivated outside the Forbidden City.
Green Roses Come to Europe and America (1856)
In 1856, the Bembridge and Harrison nursery introduced green roses to Europe. When the Green Rose made its debut at the Paris Exposition Universelle, horticulturalists were taken aback, labeling it a “green-eyed monster” and “a little monstrosity or an error of nature.”
Despite initial skepticism, the Green Rose captivated the public with its unusual and large blooms. Stephen Scanniello, curator of the Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden and president of the Heritage Rose Foundation, posits that the Green Rose is a mutated form of Old Blush, which arrived in the U.S. and England in the 1790s.
Various accounts claim sightings and introductions of the Green Rose:
- John Smith reported seeing them in 1827,
- Philadelphia nursery owner Robert Buist acquired cuttings in 1833 in South Carolina, and
- other sources suggest American introductions in 1849 and French in 1855.
The generally accepted introduction year is 1856 due to verified documentation.
Green Roses and the Underground Railroad (1800s)
Folklore connects green roses to the Underground Railroad in the 1800s. Quaker families are said to have planted these flowers in their yards as a sign of refuge for Freedom Seekers escaping slavery.
Another version claims conductors of the Underground Railroad wore green roses to discreetly signal their role, allowing Freedom Seekers to identify them. While these stories lack definitive proof, a Baltimore Quaker family asserts such evidence in their history, detailed in Helen Corse Barney’s semi-autobiographical book, Green Rose of Furley (1953).
If you’d like to learn more about green roses, check out my article dedicated to the meaning of green roses.
The history of orange roses
Joseph Pernet-Ducher, a pioneering French rosarian in the late 1800s, embarked on a mission to create a new yellow rose. His efforts culminated in 1900 with the development of Soleil d’Or, the first orange rose. This breakthrough paved the way for a diverse range of orange hues to emerge.
By the mid-1900s, vibrant shades of orange roses became more prevalent, along with softer tones like peach, coral, and papaya.
From 1940 to 1950, hybridists achieved these varied shades through selective breeding and crossbreeding red roses with yellow ones.
If you’d like to learn more about orange roses, check out my article dedicated to the meaning of orange roses.
The history of pink roses
Pink roses boast a rich and captivating history – they’re believed to be the oldest rose color. Fossil records suggest their existence dates back 35-55 million years.
In ancient times, pink roses differed from the modern varieties we see today. They featured a well-defined center with five petals, resembling the wild roses found in wooded areas.
Pink roses were not only the earliest rose species but also the first to be cultivated and cross-bred. China began growing them as garden roses approximately 5,000 years ago.
The first modern rose was also pink. Rosa ‘La France,’ a hybrid tea rose, was bred in 1867 by Jean-Baptiste André Guillot.
Thanks to cross-breeding, we now have an array of unique and beautiful blooms. Among them, the largest rose on record is a pink rose from California, measuring nearly 33 inches in diameter.
If you’d like to learn more about pink roses, check out my article dedicated to the meaning of pink roses.
The history of purple roses
Historical records indicate that purple roses were first cultivated in Asia during the 16th century. Their popularity was slow to build, and it wasn’t until 200-300 years later that the Dutch began to grow them.
Hybridists aiming to create new rose colors, achieved purple hues by crossbreeding European roses with those from China. Through hybridization and selective breeding, the natural pigments of red, pink, orange, and yellow combined to produce purple.
One of the earliest known purple roses, “Cardinal de Richelieu,” was developed in mid-1600s France and remains in cultivation today. It features dark purple petals and a light fragrance.
As interest in these unique roses grew, shades of lilac, plum, and lavender emerged. The delicate, sweetly-scented purple roses gained immense popularity and spread globally through travel and trade.
Today, there are approximately 40 varieties, ranging from light lavender to dark violet, some so deep in color they appear almost black.
If you’d like to learn more about red roses, check out my article dedicated to the meaning of purple roses.
The history of red roses
In ancient Rome, red roses were worn or placed outside doors as a pledge of secrecy.
The Romans and Greeks also associated red roses with luxury. Roman legends tell of the wealthy scattering red rose petals in their bedchambers and baths for their pleasant fragrance, with royalty linking them to love and beauty. Petals were also used as confetti during special events.
In 15th-century England, the red rose symbolized the House of Lancaster during the Wars of the Roses. This emblem eventually merged with the House of York’s white rose to form the “Tudor Rose,” which remains a symbol for the royal family today.
Red roses were favored in English medieval gardens and as decorations of the era.
During the 1600s and 1700s in England, crowds would throw red roses as soldiers departed for or returned from war, honoring their bravery.
In 19th-century Victorian England, gifting a red rose to a lover symbolized passion and secret desire.
Since the 1880s, the red rose has been a symbol of socialism. It also serves as the emblem for the British Labour Party, the England national rugby union team, and the Rugby Football Union.
If you’d like to learn more about red roses, check out my article dedicated to the meaning of red roses.
The history of white roses
The early Romans linked white roses to the goddess Venus, associating them with love. The Romans planted white rose bushes at the graves of young women to symbolize innocence and purity. They also used oil extracted from white roses to create perfume.
In 15th-century England, the War of the Roses saw two royal families battling for the throne. The white rose represented the House of York, while the red rose stood for the House of Lancaster.
During the 18th-century Seven Years’ War, an English infantry regiment, on their way to fight the French in Minden, Germany, reportedly plucked white roses from a garden, placed them in their caps, and achieved a swift victory. Following this, English soldiers wore white roses in battle as symbols of gallantry and honor.
Additionally, during the Seven Years’ War, Yorkshire soldiers picked white roses and placed them in the buttonholes of their fallen comrades. The county of Yorkshire adopted the white rose as their emblem.
In 1840, Queen Victoria popularized white roses in wedding bouquets, carrying a stunning arrangement of white roses as she walked down the aisle.
If you’d like to learn more about white roses, check out my article dedicated to the meaning of white roses.
The history of yellow roses
Although roses originated around 32 million years ago, yellow roses were discovered much later. Europeans found yellow roses in Afghanistan and Southeast Asia in the 18th century. Initially found in the wild, Europeans began crossbreeding various rose species to create a wide array of yellow hues.
The first yellow roses had an unpleasant odor that could cause headaches, leading to their nickname “sulfur roses.” Through crossbreeding and experimentation, the unpleasant smell was eventually eliminated, and yellow roses acquired the sweet fragrance we know today.
During the Victorian era, flowers were used to convey secret messages in small arrangements called Tussie-Mussies. Yellow roses, however, often carried negative meanings, such as jealousy or infidelity.
If you’d like to learn more about yellow roses, check out my article dedicated to the meaning of yellow roses.
Wrapping up
Rose colors have a rich and diverse history. From ancient rituals and political symbolism to groundbreaking horticultural achievements, each color has its own captivating story.
Whether admired for their beauty, fragrance, or the messages they convey, roses continue to enchant and inspire! The remarkable history of rose colors – reminds us of the powerful connection between nature and human emotion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are blue roses considered the “holy grail” of horticulture?
Blue roses are rare and difficult to produce. Efforts date back to the 12th century, with significant progress in the 1990s through genetic engineering. However, achieving a true blue color remains a challenge, as current blue roses tend to have a lavender hue.
What role did green roses play in Chinese history and their connection to the Underground Railroad?
Green roses were first recorded in 1743 in China, grown exclusively for the Qiánlóng Emperor. In the 1800s, folklore suggests green roses were linked to the Underground Railroad, with Quaker families planting them as a sign of refuge and conductors wearing them to signal their role, though these stories lack definitive proof.
