Opinion

OPINION: Are Roses Actually Worth It?

Parker Fales and Mahlet Samuel

Apr 8, 2024

Spring is coming in full bloom, which means the season for gifting flowers and having flowers is coming upon us. Whether it’s for a school dance, a special someone, or even just for yourself, it’s very important to choose the right flower for the occasion. For most people when they think about getting flowers their first thought is automatically roses. But is that really the best option?

Sophomore Parker Fales does not think that it is. She believes that roses are overrated, and here are her reasons.

Roses are really expensive.

According to the hill.com, the average price for a basic dozen roses to make a bouquet is about $88.60, and this is just a ballpark estimate. This price doesn’t factor in the time of year, the supplier, or even the state you live in. If I were going to be spending that much I would be expecting this fancy ole arrangement made for the queen or something. That averages out to about $8 per flower which is the equivalent of a Starbucks drink and we know the price of those stack up. A conversation.com article says that people in the US spend on average $3 billion on roses annually. Instead of breaking the bank on 12 flowers, people need to go out and explore the different types of flowers that won’t break the bank.

Roses don’t smell good.

When you walk into a store that sells fragrances and you pick up a scent that is supposed to smell like roses does it actually smell like what they are comparing it to? The answer is no, the flower roses’ and the artificial roses’ smells are completely different from one another. When I pick up a rose and smell it it smells like I went outside and stuck my nose to the ground and smelt straight up dirt. Why would you want to give and be given a flower that smells like the bottom of the earth? Not only are the roses costing you an arm and a leg, but they also don’t even smell good. If someone gave me a flower that smells like a rose I would be offended by it. Now that’s not to say that all flowers smell good because if not all then most of them also smell like grass, but roses just have this sent to them that is not good. If you insist on getting roses maybe think of getting a rose body spray or something so it actually gives off a good scent.

Roses’ looks.

I must say roses aren’t the ugliest flower in the world, but they definitely don’t take the number one spot for being the prettiest. When I look at a rose I think old right away, I think that roses are mature and moody. Roses are either white or red and they all look the same and don’t give a lot of variety or sense of playfulness you typically want in flowers. Roses also have thorns on the stem which gives off spooky vibes. People say that roses are the symbol of love and this and that but why would a dark and spiky flower give off love? I think there are tons of other flowers, like tulips for example, that give a more love-like appearance. Tulips are pretty, they have a look to them that gives off good vibes. They also are light and airy.

Sophomore Mahlet Samuel has opposite views from Fales, and here are her reasons.

Roses have variety.

Roses have many different colors, and while other flowers do as well, like peonies or tulips, most other flowers do not have as much variety as roses when it comes to coloring. Peonies, for example, only have four basic colors, and tulips only have about six. Roses on the other hand have 16 distinct colors, according to Roseprima.com, that range from black, to blue, to red. That gives anyone many different options to choose from. If they do not like basic flower colors like red or pink, they could go for a Tiffany Blue or even a gray. Just the variety and range of colors that roses have make them stand out from the crowd when compared to other flowers, but that is not nearly all they have to offer.

Roses look and smell nice.

I think that roses are very beautiful with a distinct fragrance that stands out from other flowers. As talked about earlier, roses have a wide range of colors that are beautiful and their petals are arranged in a type of swirl that is not only unique but also pretty. Roses also have a pleasant smell that is hard to describe. They smell a little bit earthy, but it works because it mixes with their mildly sweet smell, creating a light, calming scent. While roses do not smell exactly like most rose-scented perfumes, they still smell good, just less strong and a bit more earthy. Roses have a very nice texture as well, with their petals feeling soft and velvety to the touch. As for their thorns, while they are unpleasant, they can be removed. However, they do have reasons for being there. According to naturealberta.ca, roses have thorns to “deter herbivores (animals that eat plants) from eating the leaves that the plant put so much energy into making.” So, even if their thorns are a little annoying at times, they are what allow the flowers to survive in nature and they do not hinder their beauty.

Roses have a lot of cultural value.

Whether or not one likes roses, they have to admit the value they have in cultures all around the world. According to Earth.com, in Islam, it is said that “the fragrance of the rose represents the sacredness of peoples’ souls,” and in Catholicism, the flower’s fragrance is called “the ‘odor of sanctity’ and is often associated with angels.” In America, whether someone is going to a fancy event or going out to see a friend, roses are one of if not the most popular flowers to bring. In fact, roses are so valued that each of their different colors have a different meaning. For example, blue represents mystery, yellow friendship, and green strength and fertility. Roses are used a lot in entertainment too, whether that be in William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet or the Disney film Beauty and the Beast, it is hard to not find roses referenced or used in poems, books, and movies. Roses also have so much cultural value that they are the floral emblem of the United States, which, along with everything else, just goes to show how much cultural value they have. Roses’ beauty, different meanings, and ability to be used in almost any situation all add to the reason they are so valued in so many different cultures, and why they are so superb