During holidays, especially special days like Valentine’s Day and 520, roses at flower shops are always in high demand. Many young people buy a bouquet of roses for their girlfriends or wives.
Some people say that the roses you buy are mostly China roses and it’s rare to find real roses. Of course, many people don’t even know the difference between roses and China roses.
So, what’s the difference between roses and China roses, are they the same flower?
Differences between Roses and China Roses:
- Stems:
Roses have softer, finer stems with many thorns, which are thin and densely packed.
China roses have sturdier stems, although they also have thorns, they are larger and fewer in comparison to roses. - Leaves:
Rose leaves are elongated, yellow-green in color with many folds and a white frost on the back. Roses have 5 to 9 leaflets, making the branches appear longer and the leaves more clustered.
China rose leaves are dark green and glossy, rounder and fuller. China roses have 3 to 5 leaflets, making their branches shorter and their leaves more dispersed. - Fragrance:
Roses have a richer fragrance and all varieties are scented.
Some varieties of China roses have a strong fragrance, while others do not. - Blooming Period:
Roses have a shorter blooming period, generally from May to June.
China roses, if well cared for and in appropriate temperature, can bloom all year round. - Flower Type:
Due to their softer stems, rose flowers tend to droop after blooming.
China roses do not droop when they bloom. - Preservation Time:
Roses wilt easily.
China roses can be preserved for a longer period. - Uses:
Roses can be used to make bouquets, rose wine, rose tea, rose jam, and rose oil extraction.
China roses are usually used as cut flowers and for ornamental purposes.
Are Roses and China Roses the Same Flower?
China roses and roses are not the same flower and can be differentiated as follows:
- Through Leaf Identification:
Rose leaf edges are round with small serrations. The front of the rose leaf is dark green and the back is gray-green. The leaf veins are clearly visible.
China rose leaves are more circular, with a pointed front end and serrated edges. The front of the leaf is dark green and the back is lighter. - Through Flower Identification:
Roses are purple-red or white, with petals shaped differently from China roses. Rose petals are oval, fragrant, and the flower diameter is about 4-5.5cm.
China roses come in various colors such as red, white, pink, and have a small notch on the front of the petal. The outline is wedge-shaped, the flowers are larger than roses, and the fragrance is very light. - Based on Stem Identification:
Roses have many thorns on their stems, they appear densely packed, and their tips do not bend. There are also some small fluffs on the stem.
China roses have smooth stems with fewer and larger thorns. The tips of the thorns have a slight curve.
Peggie was once a high school mathematics teacher, but she set aside her chalkboard and textbooks to follow her lifelong passion for flowers. After years of dedication and learning, she not only established a thriving flower shop but also founded this blog, “Flowers Library”. Here, Peggie shares the art and science of floristry, offers practical tips for nurturing plants, delves into the captivating histories of various species, and provides insights into running a successful flower shop. She hopes that everyone can take a moment now and then to immerse themselves in the world of flowers. If you have any questions or wish to learn more about flowers, feel free to contact Peggie.
