Red African Rose Garden

Rose garden design of the commercial garden in Kenya dates back decades.

That Valentine's Day rose probably came from Kenya. Kenya is world famous for its cut flower farms especially the roses. The rose is the favorite flower of 85 percent of Americans and this is probably why President Reagan in 1986 made the rose the National flower of the United States. 

Kenya lies on both sides of the equator on the eastern coast of Africa. Countries on or near the equator, like Kenya, benefit from good growing conditions, including 12 hours of daylight all year round. The country's rose flower power is also attributed to its sunny climate, which enables high-quality blossoms to be grown year-round without the need for expensive-to-run greenhouses. 

Rainfall peaks in most areas are in November and April. Kenya is the third largest exporter of cut flowers in the world, accounting for around 35 percent of all sales in the European Union. In 2017, Australians imported more than 5.22 million rose stems between February 1 and 14, mostly from Kenya. Assuming typical bouquets of 24 roses, that is 217,500 bouquets sold in two weeks.

Horticulture has been one of the top GDP earners for Kenya contributing 1.45% in 2015. The flower industry in 2015 earned Kenya Shillings 62 billion which equals around 59 million US dollars, exporting 122,825 metric tons. The main production areas for Kenya’s floriculture are around Lake Naivasha, Mt. Kenya, Nairobi, Thika, Kiambu, Athi River, Kitale, Nakuru, Kericho, Nyandarua, Trans Nzoia, Uasin Gichu and Eastern Kenya.  Since the start of February 2018, 5.22 million rose stems had been imported from Kenya, up by nearly 850,000 roses in the same period last year.

Every rose may have a thorn, but it also has a meaning. Sought-after through the ages for it’s simple beauty and intoxicating fragrance, whether imported from Kenya or grown in your backyard, rose colors have very different symbolic meanings.

Rose Color Meanings Growing in Your Garden

Rose Dark Red

Similar to the common red rose, the dark red means a deep unconscious beauty. You might consider sending to someone who does not know just how special he or she really is to you.

Rose Green Flower   

The green rose, although rare, is a symbol for fertility. Abundance in not just the material things that life offers but of the intangible things such as newly formed friendships, good health of loved ones among others. Green roses are best given to those whom you wish happiness and many blessings.

Rose Lavender Flower       

Lavender is a rare color for the rose. It incites fantasies and imagination for many. Lavender roses are the perfect choice for those who want to enchant or charm someone. Tradition has it, too, that a lavender rose is used to show feelings of love at first sight.

Rose Orange Flower 

The color orange, with the vivid color seemingly emanating a blazing energy, is often associated with desire, enthusiasm and interest. Like the red rose, the orange rose is also taken as a symbol for passion and excitement, an expression of zealous romance. A bouquet of this variety sends a powerful and meaningful message to the recipient. An orange rose tells someone you are interested in knowing them.

Rose Peach Flower    

Similar to a warm yellow rose that sends out feelings of warm friendship and companionship, a peach rose is said to symbolize appreciation. It expresses gratitude as well, and at times, sympathy. A bouquet of bright colored - peach roses could make any person happy especially when they are at the lowest times of their lives.

Rose Pink Flower      

The color pink is the symbol for grace and elegance. Often, the pink rose is given to others as a way of saying how much one appreciates the recipient of the rose. Pink roses also convey feelings of gratitude, appreciation and happiness. A bouquet of dark pink roses may be a way of saying how much you appreciate the presence of that loved one in your life. The lighter shade of pink in roses may be a roundabout way of saying you admire the recipient for her grace, gentleness, sweetness and even the joy she brings to you life.

Rose Red Flower       

Fiery red is the color that depicts love, fire or heat and passion. Hence, a red rose being given to a lover is like saying ‘I love you” out loud. Apart from love, passion, heat, and even fire, a red rose can also symbolize beauty and perfection.

Rose Red and White Flower       

Given in conjunction with each other, these two roses combine in one flower bouquet to mean unity and as one.

Rose White Flower    

The reason why the white rose is so often used for weddings, is that a white rose symbolizes happy love. This flower is great to send when you are not apologizing, but merely celebrating your love, hence its use in weddings.

Rose Yellow Flower  

Yellow evokes feelings of friendship or companionship and happiness. A yellow rose is often given to friends to represent joy and friendship. A yellow rose may also bring about the message of starting a new---the promise of a new beginning. Therefore, if you want to be friends with someone, let her know by giving her a yellow rose.

The Meaning of Every Ancient Flower

Flower Name	Ancient Floral Vocabulary
Absinth	The Bitterness and Torments of Love
Acacia	Love, pure and platonic
Acanthus	Love of Fine Arts
Althea	Exquisite Sweetness
Amaranth	Fidelity and Constancy
Anemone	Abandonment
Angelica	Gentle Melancholy
Argentine	Ingenuity
Aster	Elegance
Balsam	Impatience
Basil	Poverty
Betony	Emotion and Surprise
Bindweed	Coquetry
Bluet	Clearness and Light
Box	Firmness and Stoicism
Bramble	Injustice and Envy
Burdock	Importunity
Buttercup	Sarcasm
Calendula	Anxiety
Camellia	Constancy and Steadfastness
Carrot	Good Character
Cinquefoil	Maternal Love
Colchicum	Bad Character
Cypress	Mourning and Grief
Dahlia	Sterile Abundance
Daisy (Easter)	Candor and Innocence
Dandelion	Oracle
Darnel	Vice
Digitalis	Work
Dittany	Discretion
Elder	Humility
Ephemeris	Transient Happiness
Everlasting	Constancy
Fennel	Merit
Fern	Confidence
Forget-me-not	Faithful Remembrance
Foxglove	Adulation
Fuchsia	Amiability
Fumitory	Hatred
Geranium	Folly
Hawthorn	Sweet Hope
Heliotrope	Eternal Love
Hellebore	Wit
Hemlock	Perfidy
Holly	Defense
Honeysuckle	Bond of Affection
Hyacinth	Amenity
Hydrangea	Coldness
Iris	Indifference
Ivy	Attachment
Jasmine	Amiability
Jonquil	Amorous Languor
Jujube-tree	Relief
Larkspur	Open Heart
Laurel	Victory and Glory
Lavender	Silence
Lilac	First Troubles of Love
Lily	Purity and Majesty
Maidenhair	Bond of Love
Marjoram	Consolation
Marvel of Peru	Flame of Love
Mallow	Maternal Tenderness
Mint	Wisdom and Virtue
Milfoil	Cure and Recovery
Moonwort	Bad Payment
Myrtle	Love
Narcissus	Self-esteem and Fatuity
Nettle	Cruelty
Olive	Peace
Orange-tree	Virginity, Generosity
Peony	Shame
Periwinkle	Unalterable Friendship
Pineapple	Perfection
Pink	Pure and Ardent Love
Poppy	Sleep
Privet	Youth
Rose	Beauty and Love
Rosemary	Power of Re-kindling extinct Energy
Rue	Fecundity of Fields
Sage	Esteem
Sensitive-plant	Modesty
Solanum	Prodigality
Spindle-tree	Ineffaceable Memory
Strawberry	Intoxication, Delight
Thyme	Spontaneous Emotion
Trefoil	Uncertainty
Tulip	Grandeur
Valerian	Readiness
Vervain	Pure Affection
Viburnum	Coolness
Violet	Modesty