Valentine’s Day Roses and the Story Behind a Beloved Celebration
Every February, Valentine’s Day arrives with flowers in shop windows, handwritten cards, and small moments of thoughtfulness shared between people who care about one another. Yet behind the modern traditions lies a long and fascinating story. Many people find themselves curious about the history of Valentine’s Day, wondering how a single date became so closely linked with love, romance and, of course, roses.
At David Austin®, we have always felt that roses carry meaning far beyond a fleeting moment. When planted in the garden, they become living companions through the seasons, returning each year with renewed beauty, fragrance and life.
Where Valentine’s Day Began
The origins of Valentine’s Day reach back to Roman times, where stories of Saint Valentine speak of kindness, courage and devotion. Though the details have blurred across centuries, his name became closely tied to acts of love and compassion.
By the Middle Ages, the day had grown into a celebration of romance, particularly in Europe, where poems and handwritten notes were exchanged between admirers. Later, in Victorian Britain, Valentine’s Day blossomed into a familiar tradition of cards, flowers and thoughtful gifts, many of which still shape how we celebrate today.
Looking back, the heart of Valentine’s Day has always remained the same. It is not about extravagance, but about expressing care in simple, meaningful ways.
Why Roses Became the Flower of Love
Long before Valentine’s Day existed, roses were already symbols of beauty and affection. In ancient cultures, they were linked with love, emotion and devotion, admired for both their softness and their brief, precious flowering.
As Valentine’s Day traditions evolved, roses naturally found their place at the centre of the celebration. Their fragrance, colour and elegance captured everything the day represents.
Even now, Valentine’s Day roses remain one of the most cherished ways to mark the occasion. Yet more people are discovering the joy of giving roses that continue to grow long after February has passed.
A Gift That Lives On in the Garden
A bouquet brings delight in the moment, but a garden rose offers something more lasting. Planted into the soil, it becomes part of the rhythm of the seasons.
In spring, fresh shoots appear.
In summer, blooms open in generous waves of colour and scent.
With each passing year, the plant grows stronger and more beautiful.
Every flowering becomes a quiet reminder of the day it was planted, turning a single gesture into years of shared enjoyment.
The Romance of English Roses
English Roses were created to capture the charm of historic garden roses while offering the repeat flowering and strength modern gardens need.
Their blooms are soft, full and richly petalled, often forming rosettes or cups that feel wonderfully timeless. Fragrance sits at the heart of every rose, ranging from classic old rose perfume to notes of fruit, tea and myrrh.
They settle naturally into borders, climb gracefully over arches and walls, and thrive in generous containers, bringing romance to gardens large and small.
Why Garden Roses Feel So Personal
Choosing a rose has always been an intimate gesture. Colour, scent and form each tell a story.
Some are drawn to blush pinks and creamy whites for their softness. Others love warm apricots glowing in evening light, or deep reds that have symbolised romance for centuries. Fragrance often becomes just as meaningful, tying memories to a particular season or moment in the garden.
A garden rose becomes something you nurture together, watching it grow and change year after year.
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A love letter to roses: The stories behind the bloomsIn the quiet garden of history, roses have always been the unsung narrators of love and symbols of passion, loss, devotion, and yearning. In the first part of our Love Letter to Roses series, we explored the deep roots of these timeless flowers, their symbolic role in the language of love. Now, we turn to the roses themselves, each a character in its own right, bearing the essence of some of the most unforgettable love stories ever told.
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A love letter to roses: Tales of love through the agesFor centuries, roses have been nature’s quiet confidants in the art of love, their petals carrying whispers of affection, longing, and devotion. These remarkable blooms have transcended cultures and eras, weaving their way into poetry, mythology, and cherished traditions. As we reflect on their history, we uncover a story as layered and evocative as the flowers themselves - a tale of beauty, meaning, and connection that has stood the test of time.
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Using Colour in the Garden: Creating Mood and HarmonyA garden is never simply planted. It is designed with intention, shaped by light, season, and colour. Every bloom plays a role, and together they form a living canvas that changes from morning to evening and from spring to autumn. Colour is one of the most powerful tools a gardener has. It influences how large a space feels, where the eye travels, and even how relaxed or energised we feel when we step outside. When understood and used thoughtfully, colour transforms a collection of plants into a harmonious, expressive garden.
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Valentine’s Day Roses and the Story Behind a Beloved CelebrationEvery February, Valentine’s Day arrives with flowers in shop windows, handwritten cards, and small moments of thoughtfulness shared between people who care about one another. Yet behind the modern traditions lies a long and fascinating story. Many people find themselves curious about the history of Valentine’s Day, wondering how a single date became so closely linked with love, romance and, of course, roses.
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An English Rose Garden Fit for a Period DramaImagine a garden where the air is filled with the gentle perfume of roses and every corner seems to invite a pause, a quiet moment of reflection. English shrub roses, with their soft, cupped blooms and delicate fragrances, have long been linked with the elegance and charm of period dramas. These gardens are more than a collection of plants. Each rose adds to the story, creating a sense of romance and timeless beauty.
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Lasting Love: A Valentine’s Day of Roses, Planted for Years to ComeValentine’s Day has always been a day of gesture, but it has never truly been about the gesture alone. At its heart, it’s about choosing a way to express what matters, and doing so with care. That might be a few well-chosen words. A note left somewhere it will be found. A gift that feels considered, not hurried. The most enduring expressions of love rarely shout for attention. They simply remain.
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A Year With Roses: Seasonal goals for your gardenRoses guide the pace of the garden year. Their summer display is shaped by a series of small, thoughtful tasks that unfold long before the first bloom appears. Each season offers its own moment to step in and help your roses flourish.
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Winter Solstice: Marking the Garden’s Midwinter PauseThe winter solstice arrives quietly, the shortest day slipping in with little ceremony. In the garden, everything feels suspended. Frost holds the edges of fallen leaves, the soil settles into its long exhale and even the familiar shapes of roses seem to rest. This stillness is not an ending but a pause, a moment when the year hesitates before turning back toward the light.
