According to the Society of American Florists, 37% of Americans feel that flowers are the best gift for expressing love, with nearly 60% of Americans giving flowers as a gift on an annual basis. While roses, in particular, can be a charming and thoughtful gift, they also don’t have a particularly long shelf life. Freshly cut roses typically only last five to seven days when kept in a vase, or up to two weeks at most with extra care.
For travelers who are frequently away from home for extended periods, this can make roses a less appealing gift than they might otherwise be. After all, there’s not much use in receiving roses that are going to be wilted and dead by the time you return from your next weekend trip.
As Doniz Pauillac, COO of The Million Roses explains, however, preserved roses can offer an ideal solution for avid travelers, allowing them to enjoy the beauty of roses without the worry and responsibility that would come with fresh-cut flowers.
Roses Grown to Last
As Pauillac explains, the unique preservation process that preserved roses go through serves as an effective method to counteract the short lifespan of typical roses.
“We start by selecting the highest-quality roses grown in Ecuador, emphasizing the healthiest roses that are perfectly beautiful and vibrant in appearance. Rather than drying out the roses, they instead go through what is known as rehydration. The roses are placed in a liquid mixture of glycerin and other plant materials. As the liquid gradually rises through the stem of the rose, it spreads the preservative throughout the entire flower.”
Notably, this process allows the roses to maintain a fresh appearance. Notes Pauillac, “Because we use rehydration rather than drying the roses out, the roses maintain a more natural and flexible look and feel. The preservative is designed to keep working for up to three years, and the flowers maintain that same fresh and vibrant appearance for the entire time.”
Preserved roses are available in a variety of arrangements and colors, from classic red long-stem roses to uniquely designed boxed arrangements in colors like blue, black and gold. For avid travelers, the idea of roses that can potentially last for three years or more is certainly an appealing prospect — not least of which because this means they wouldn’t have to replace their flowers as frequently.
Simple, Straightforward Care
According to Pauillac, what really sets preserved roses apart for avid travelers is the minimal care that is required to keep them looking their best. Fresh cut roses must have their stems cut at a 45-degree angle, have the water changed every few days, receive flower food and have extra leaves and guard petals removed. And all of that is just to extend their lifespan by a few days.
With preserved roses, on the other hand, care is much simpler. “Preserved roses actually should not be watered, as this would interfere with the preservative,” Pauillac explains.
“Preserved long stem roses can have the stems cut to any size to fit your preferred vase for display, but boxed roses should be kept inside their existing arrangement. The roses don’t need any kind of active care, aside from possibly using a sensitive duster to clean them if needed.”
However, Pauillac does have a few recommendations for travelers who will often be spending extended time away from home. “To maximize the lifespan of your preserved flowers, you should place them in a cool, dry place, where they won’t be exposed to excess heat or humidity,” he says.
“As such, you should try to keep them out of direct sunlight. Ideally, preserved roses should be kept at 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit, so keep this in mind as you adjust your thermostat before you leave for your trip. As long as you do these simple things, your roses should last for years.”
With the right setup, travelers can essentially take a “set-it-and-forget-it” approach to caring for their preserved roses. As long as the roses are kept in the proper location and the house is kept at the right temperature, you can have confidence that they will still look just as beautiful by the time you return. Whether you’re leaving for a weekend getaway or a month-long dream vacation, preserved roses will give your home base an added touch of natural beauty and charm.
The Best Floral Gift for Avid Travelers
As Pauillac explains, “Preserved roses are ideal for a wide range of lifestyles, but especially for those who might not normally have the time to give the necessary care to fresh-cut flowers. With preserved roses, avid travelers can stick to their preferred travel schedule, while having the confidence that their roses will be just as beautiful and vibrant when they return.”
No matter where your travels might take you, knowing that a charming display of preserved roses is awaiting your return will make the trip home that much more pleasant. Whether you’re buying them for yourself or the other avid travelers in your life, preserved roses are an ideal way to experience some added natural beauty.
