You are standing in front of the florist and you are not sure: do you go for five roses, twelve, or maybe twenty-five? The choice can feel random, but it is not. For centuries, roses have carried a rich floral symbolism in which the number matters just as much as the colour. Whether you are surprising someone on their birthday, proposing marriage, or simply letting someone know you are thinking of them — the number of roses you choose sends a message of its own.
The symbolism of roses stretches back to antiquity. In ancient Rome, the rose was the emblem of Venus, goddess of love. During the Middle Ages, poets and troubadours used roses as a metaphor for passion and devotion. The custom of giving a specific number most likely emerged in Victorian England, when the "language of flowers" — known as floriography — was at its height. Every detail, from colour to number, carried a fixed meaning that could be communicated discreetly.
That tradition lives on today. People still look up what a particular number of roses means, so that their gift conveys exactly the right message.
Below you will find the most commonly used numbers and their meanings. Bear in mind that some meanings are culturally specific — the interpretations listed here are those most widely recognised in the Netherlands:
The number tells one story; the colour tells another. Together they shape the full message. Red roses traditionally stand for romantic love and passion — three red roses therefore make a powerful declaration of love. Pink roses express gratitude and admiration; twelve pink roses are an elegant gift for Mother's Day or an anniversary. Yellow roses symbolise friendship and cheerfulness, making five of them a perfect present for a close friend.
Looking for a bouquet that combines several messages? Go for mixed roses in different colours. A blend of red and white stands for unity and harmony — a popular choice at weddings. Orange roses combine the energy of red with the cheerfulness of yellow: they represent enthusiasm and pride.
Wondering how many roses to give for a specific occasion? You will find a detailed overview for every situation — from a first date to a golden wedding anniversary — on our page about how many roses to give.
The occasion often goes a long way towards making the choice for you. Here is a practical overview:
A beautiful bouquet starts with the right choice, but how long it lasts depends on how you care for it. Here are the most important tips:
Well-cared-for roses last an average of seven to fourteen days, depending on the variety and how fresh they were when purchased. Garden roses and peonies are slightly more delicate than cut roses; they are beautiful but have a shorter vase life of five to seven days.
Regiobloemist works with more than 850 affiliated local florists across the Netherlands. They know the seasons, the available varieties and local tastes. A bouquet put together in spring will often feature different rose varieties than a winter bouquet — and a local florist knows exactly what looks beautiful and is at its freshest at any given moment.
Alongside these local florists, Regiobloemist also has its own in-house bindery. Both routes ensure that your bouquet is freshly arranged and delivered in person. Whether you want to order red roses in a set of three or an impressive bouquet of 99 stems, every order is put together with care. You can order roses online in any number and colour.
Want to put together a bouquet based on colour and number? Browse our pages to order red roses, order pink roses, or order mixed roses for a full overview of the available options.
In many European countries the rule of thumb is that flowers are given in odd numbers for happy occasions and even numbers for mourning. This is a folk custom without a fixed origin, but it is widely accepted. A bouquet of 11 or 13 roses is therefore perfectly normal. There are always exceptions: the dozen (12) is so firmly established that no one thinks twice about it.
Eleven roses is sometimes interpreted as "you are the only one I love" — a more personal and exclusive gesture than the standard dozen. Twelve roses stands for complete, mature love. In practice, many people choose 12 because it is a round number and easy to order, but 11 has a distinctiveness that stands out.
In the Netherlands, yellow roses are mainly associated with friendship and cheerfulness, not romantic love. In some other cultures — such as Mexico — they can symbolise jealousy or farewell. If you want to make a romantic gesture, go for red or pink roses. If you want to surprise someone with a sunny, cheerful bouquet without any romantic connotation, yellow roses are an excellent choice.
Not at all. Birthdays are actually a great opportunity to match the number of roses to the age of the person celebrating. Turning 50? A bouquet of 50 roses makes for a special and personal gift. If you would rather not draw attention to the age, 12 or 15 roses are always a safe and festive choice.
You get at least 7 days freshness guarantee on all flowers ordered and delivered through Regiobloemist.
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