Autumn Without the Obvious: A Garden Rose Palette Beyond Orange and Burgundy
When we think about fall flowers, the same colors usually come to mind: burgundy, rust, orange, mustard, deep red. They’re beautiful, of course. But exploring less common palettes can inspire confidence in your creativity and make your designs stand out.
Some of our favorite fall palettes are actually much softer. Think dusty pink, mauve, caramel, lavender, buttery yellow, muted peach, and warm neutrals. They evoke a gentle, reassuring sense of seasonal beauty that can make your arrangements feel more inviting.
Garden roses work especially well in these kinds of palettes because their colors are rarely completely straightforward. One bloom can carry several tones at once. A pink garden rose may have hints of apricot. A brown garden rose may lean mauve. A yellow bloom may fade into cream and blush as it opens.
That little bit of unpredictability is what makes them so interesting to design with.
Café Latte: More Than Brown
Café Latte is one of those garden roses that seems to change depending on what you place beside it. Its soft brown color has mauve undertones, which means it can feel earthy in one arrangement and almost dusty purple in another. Pair it with cream and blush for something soft and romantic, or place it beside deeper burgundy and plum tones for a moodier fall look.
It’s one of those colors that helps pull an entire palette together without demanding too much attention.
Lavender Belongs in Fall Too
Lavender is usually associated with spring, but we love seeing it used in autumn. Lavender Bouquet has a soft purple tone with deeper raspberry details along the petals. When paired with warmer shades like mocha, caramel, or dusty pink, it suddenly feels much more seasonal.
Sometimes creating a fall palette isn’t about changing the flowers. It’s about exploring new pairings that evoke different seasonal feelings, encouraging curiosity and a sense of discovery in your designs.
Miyabi Brown: A Palette in One Garden Rose
Miyabi Brown is especially beautiful for fall because it already contains several colors in one bloom.
Its center has warm tan and creamy tones, while the outer petals move into soft pink.
That combination makes it easy to build a layered palette around it. You can pull out the warmer brown tones, highlight the pink, or soften everything with cream.
It feels earthy without being dark, which makes it a beautiful option for designers who want a fall look that still feels light.
Peach, Just a Little Softer
Peach doesn’t have to disappear after summer.
Princess Holly’s Hope offers a gentle peach hue perfect for fall. Its warm interior softens into creamy outer petals infused with delicate blush, creating an understated, vintage feel.
Mixed with muted foliage, Café Latte, or softer yellow flowers, peach feels less summery and much more autumnal.
A Softer Yellow
Not every fall yellow needs to be mustard.
Fatima Gardens has a buttery yellow center that fades into creamy ivory, with subtle blush tones around the outer petals.
It brings warmth to an arrangement without overpowering the other flowers.
We especially love this kind of yellow paired with lavender, dusty rose, or mocha. It adds just enough brightness while still keeping the palette soft.
Pink Can Stay
Pink works in every season. The key is choosing the right kind.
Ariadne combines salmon pink, apricot, and dusky rose tones, giving it much more depth than a traditional bright pink.
In a fall arrangement, those warmer undertones stand out more, especially when paired with brown, mauve, or cream.
It’s still pink, just with a different mood.
A Different Way to Think About Fall Color
Maybe the easiest way to create a fall palette is not to ask, “What colors are fall colors?”
Instead, think about how the season actually feels.
The light gets softer. Colors become a little quieter. Warm shades sit next to cooler ones. Everything starts to feel more textured and layered.
A fall arrangement doesn’t always need orange or burgundy to feel seasonal.
It can be lavender and mocha. Peach and caramel. Dusty pink and buttery yellow.
Sometimes the less obvious combinations are the most interesting.
Garden Roses We Love for a Softer Fall Palette
Café Latte
Miyabi Brown
Lavender Bouquet
Princess Holly’s Hope
Fatima Gardens
Ariadne
Find Your Garden Rose Personality
Some of us are drawn to soft layers of blush and cream. Others cannot resist a bold color, an unexpected shape, or a bloom that brings a little wildness to the arrangement.
Flowers have personalities. We think the people who love them do, too.
Perhaps your style is timeless and romantic. Maybe you are a minimalist who believes one extraordinary bloom can say everything. Or perhaps your designs are full of color, texture, movement, and joyful abundance.
Whatever your style, there is a garden rose that speaks your language.
So, which garden rose personality are you?
The Romantic
Soft, Dreamy and timeless.
You believe romance is found in the details: layers of petals, gentle movement, subtle fragrance, and colors that seem to melt into one another.
Your palette lives among blush pink, soft peach, ivory, and cream. You love bouquets that feel gathered from a garden, overflowing with delicate texture and a sense of beautiful nostalgia. It somehow makes you remember your grandmother's rose garden. Effortless and beautiful. The designs you like might feel effortless, but every bloom has been chosen with intention.
Garden roses that belong in your world include:
Keira, with her soft, individual coloring and naturally romantic presence.
Pink O'Hara is a beloved garden rose for designs filled with softness and fragrance.
Juliet, whose warm peach tones bring an unmistakable sense of romance to bouquets and arrangements.
White O'Hara is perfect for creating abundant, soft designs in shades of ivory and cream.
Princess Hitomi is a bloom filled with graceful layers and a delicate pink presence.
Your garden rose personality is not about following a trend. You are drawn to flowers that feel as though they could belong to any beautiful love story, in any place and at any time.
The Minimalist
Intentional and quietly confident.
You know that simplicity does not mean absence.
For you, the beauty of a garden rose is often most powerful when there is space to truly see it: the movement of its petals, the curve of its stem, the gradual transformation as the bloom opens.
You prefer a well-thought-out composition over excess. A restrained but thoughtful palette, a single-variety bouquet, or a small collection of extraordinary stems can make a stronger statement than an abundance of competing elements.
Your designs are clean but never cold.
Garden roses for your world include:
Leonora, with her elegant white form and refined presence.
Purity, soft and graceful, brings warmth to an understated palette.
Princess Miyuki is a beautiful choice for designs centered on texture, lightness, and quiet detail.
Issei is for arrangements where unusual form and subtle beauty take center stage.
White Cloud is a versatile bloom for designs where simplicity allows shape and movement to speak.
You notice the things others might miss. The negative space between stems is also part of the composition. For you, less is never less when every detail matters.
The Maximalist
Bold. Expressive. Impossible to ignore.
More color. More flowers. More texture.
You do not believe beauty needs to whisper.
Your arrangements are celebrations: layered, abundant, colorful, and full of personality.
You are not afraid to place unexpected shades together or let different flower forms compete for attention. For you, the magic often happens when the rules disappear.
Your garden rose world might include:
Miranda, with rich bubble gum pink color and ruffled layers of petals
Beatrice, whose warm yellow tones bring energy and luminosity into a design.
Sunset, with its vibrant color and bold personality, is for someone who loves color and contrast.
Miyabi is perfect for adding movement, color variation, and an unexpected character.
Princess Pinku Spr, bringing dimension and playful abundance through multiple blooms on a stem.
Your tablescapes spill beyond the vases. Your installations invite people to stop and stare. Your bouquets might contain colors others would never have thought to place together.
And somehow, you make it work.
You see flowers as a form of joyful self-expression, color is always an option, and your designs are never meant to disappear into the background.
The Wild at Heart
Organic. Unexpected. Beautifully imperfect.
You want flowers to feel alive.
Your ideal arrangement has movement. Stems stretch in different directions. Blooms open at different stages. Nothing feels too perfect, too symmetrical, or too carefully controlled.
Gardens themselves inspire you: places where colors meet unexpectedly, and every flower seems to move at its own pace.
Your garden rose personality is drawn to unique forms and subtle variations.
Look for blooms like:
Miyabi Brown, with its warm, ever-changing color and distinctive personality that stands by itself
Café Latte is a favorite for sophisticated, earthy palettes.
Tsumugi Ulala, for arrangements that celebrate unusual shape and delicate movement. with a soft blush color that celebrates a classic garden rose feel.
Hana Spr adds multiple blooms, texture, and an organic quality to a composition, with an unexpected twist: a spray rose in the mix.
You do not need every stem to stand perfectly straight. In fact, you probably prefer that it does not. You look for character in every bloom and believe some of the most interesting designs begin with the flowers that refuse to behave exactly as expected.
The Classic
Elegant. Refined. Always in style.
You appreciate tradition, but you are never afraid to make it your own.
Your designs feel considered and polished. You return to whites, creams, blushes, and rich romantic tones because you know that timeless does not have to mean predictable.
You love flowers that feel luxurious without trying too hard.
Your garden rose collection might include:
Patience, for elegant white and cream designs. A David Austin classic that works in every moment, it will always be a subtle statement.
Leonora, a David Austin classic for sophisticated, light-filled arrangements.
Juliet, bringing warmth to classic wedding palettes.
Princess Maya, for soft, nuanced designs with depth and distinction.
Your style may move from a grand ballroom to an intimate garden dinner in your backyard. The setting may change, but your appreciation for beautiful, luxurious blooms and thoughtful details remains the same.
You understand that true classics never really disappear. They simply find new ways to be loved.
The Color Lover
Joyful. Curious. Unafraid of the unexpected.
You choose flowers with your heart.
A particular shade can stop you in your tracks, and you are always looking for the next unexpected combination. Peach with lavender? Absolutely.
Yellow with blush pink? Why not? Red and pink together? Even better.
You see color as emotion, and flowers are your favorite way to express it.
Romantic Antike, with her warm coral-pink tones, generous shape, and a color that immediately draws the eye.
Yves Piaget is a dramatically ruffled pink rose with bold color, distinctive form, and an unforgettable presence in any arrangement.
Your favorite designs are often the ones that surprise you. You understand that color can completely change how a design feels, soft or energetic, nostalgic or modern, quiet or full of celebration. For you, choosing flowers is never simply about matching. It is about discovering what happens when colors begin a conversation.
Maybe you found yourself completely in one of these personalities. Or perhaps, like the best floral designs, your style is a little more layered.
You may be a Romantic who occasionally reaches for a bold burst of color. A Minimalist who falls in love with one wildly expressive bloom. A Maximalist who still knows exactly when to let a single rose have the entire moment. That is the beauty of flowers, and of creativity itself: your style does not have to fit neatly into one category.
The garden roses you are drawn to can change with the season, the occasion, the person you are designing for, or simply the mood you are in that day. What matters is finding the blooms that make you stop, look closer, and feel inspired to create.
So tell us… What is your garden rose personality?
Perhaps the real question is not which one you are, but which one you feel like being today.
Your Guide to David Austin’s Fragrant Cut Roses
Roses are a sight to behold in their apricot, pink, yellow or ivory glory and a delight to breathe in too, should you choose a variety with a forward fragrance. Without fragrance, the world would be emptier than we might first think.
Scents are processed in the same part of the brain as where memories are safely stored. Scents are emotional and can transport you back to a moment in time. Scents can soothe and make the stresses of a day feel suddenly so insignificant.
So whether it’s a heady Myrrh scent that transports you to someplace special or a traditional tea fragrance that triggers something to make you feel happy and at home, there is a rose filled with notes ready to release. With up to 400 different aromatic components, roses carry one of the most complex scent profiles of all of nature’s blooms. With the help of our fragrance formulation expert Emma, we look at the ingredients of four rose fragrances.
Fragrance, Myrrh
Myrrh-scented roses are never really what you would quite expect. It’s hard not to hear myrrh and associate it with heavy, resinous frankincense fragrances that we associate with incense and Christmas time. But Myrrh in roses is a totally different scent. It comes from the Latin Myrrhis odorata – the name for Sweet Cicely, which is classically light and delicate, full of air and hints of green aniseed. Green banana and fennel fronds can be detected, too, along with licorice root and a touch of star anise.
Beatrice (Auslevity) has a beautiful fresh myrrh character combined with a warm heart of honey, nougat and hints of apricot.
Eugenie (Ausimage) has a naturally elegant character with notes of myrrh and soft sweet hay. As the blooms mature, they develop fruity notes of grapefruit, pear and apricot.
Rich, complex and incredibly beautiful, Old Rose fragrances are warm and full of depth. Whenever you smell a rose with this scent profile, you feel as though you keep smelling downwards through its many enveloping layers. Citrus peel and cucumber, dried fruits and berry jam, black pepper and carnation flowers, beeswax and patchouli, Old Rose is a profile that just keeps on going. Somehow, the scent feels ancient, as though it’s been around forever. This is the classic smell, of course, that made roses so desired for centuries and centuries, civilization after civilization. If you like this scent, then try these two roses:
Millicent (AUSCP17431) has a beautiful rich Old Rose fragrance with zesty lemon notes and a hint of apricot.
Capability (Ausapply) has a beautiful rich, deep old rose fragrance with hints of lemon and ripe apricot.
These roses are some of the most diverse in their fragrance profile, with each rose typically being a mixture of all sorts of fruits. Some are fresher with green Granny Smith apple and pear notes, while others are much deeper full of berries. Many Fruity fragranced roses contain a whole host of fruit notes but in differing intensities; it is not uncommon to detect mango and guava alongside nectarine, cherry, elderflower and blackcurrant leaf.
Patience (Auspastor)has a beautiful fruity scent with notes of sparkling lemon, lychee and ripe pear. The lychee and pear notes combine to give the scent an elegant floral character reminiscent of lily of the valley.
Constance (Austruss) has a beautiful fruity rose character with notes of luscious apricot, rosewater and lemon. They combine to give a scent with warmth and depth which hints to an “Old Rose” ancestor.
Tea fragranced roses carry such an interesting scent, so-named as they smell like dried black tea leaves with other notes woven in. One of the best words to describe this fragrance family is powdery. Think delicate violet and soft orris root – an ingredient favored in perfume making.
Effie (Ausgray) has a gorgeous soft powdery fragrance with notes of black tea and violet. As the blooms mature the scent becomes fruity with apricot notes adding warmth.
Whether for in your home or as part of your wedding celebrations, our roses can transport you back in time, evoking vivid memories and emotions.
It’s as if scent opens the door to moments we’ve tucked away, making them feel present again.
An Unconventional Valentine’s Day Color Palette
This Valentine’s Day, we chose to step away from the expected.
Red will always have its place in the language of romance. But love, in its truest form, is layered, complex, surprising. It is soft and bold. Quiet and dramatic. Tender and fearless. This year, we found our inspiration in that complexity and invited four extraordinary designers to explore an unconventional Valentine’s Day color palette using our garden roses.
Instead of tradition guiding the story, we let color, texture and emotion lead. What unfolded was a series of interpretations that felt deeply personal, expressive and beautifully unexpected.
With a sculptural gold vessel and luminous movement, Canaan Marshall approached the unconventional palette with fearless artistry. Peach, coral, blush and soft butter tones danced together in a composition that felt joyful and unapologetically expressive. His design proved that Valentine’s Day doesn’t need to whisper in crimson to feel romantic; it can glow in warmth, personality and bold intention. The arrangement radiated confidence, reminding us that love can be vibrant and expansive.
Where Canaan explored radiance, Nancy Zimmerman of Fancy Florals by Nancy leaned into intimacy. She interpreted the palette through a softer, more intimate lens. Her arrangement felt like a love letter written slowly, layered with thoughtful garden roses, fresh green textures and gentle movement. There was something beautifully grounded in her approach. It felt familiar in the best way; the unconventional tones became serene and timeless.
In contrast, Jake Kale of Cobra Lily introduced tension and structure. Making something not only unconventional in palette but in structure and space. His sculptural work with garden roses embraced contrast, deep reds, vivid pinks, pale blush and green buds, intertwining in a bold shape that evokes movement and emotion. The design felt dynamic, architectural and daring. It challenged the softness typically associated with Valentine’s Day, transforming romance into something graphic and unforgettable. In Jake’s interpretation, love is a daring statement.
Ace Berry brought yet another perspective: modern, refined and richly layered. Creamy garden roses and soft lavender tones met moodier blooms and striking textural greens, creating a design filled with movement and intention. Airy branches and layered petals drew the eye in.
This campaign was never about abandoning tradition; it was about expanding it. By choosing an unconventional palette, we gave ourselves permission to explore love in all its tones. From softness to strength, from intimacy to drama, each designer revealed a different emotional language through garden roses.
What moved us most was not just the color stories but the individuality behind them. The same palette became four completely distinct expressions – proof that creativity flourishes and that any interpretation is completely valid and beautiful. In every arrangement, we saw courage, tenderness, personality and intention.
Challenging our creativity helps us connect more deeply with what Valentine’s Day means: a feeling of connection that shouldn’t be defined by a single shade or tradition. This Valentine’s Day, we chose to celebrate that freedom, honoring romance not as something expected, but as something deeply personal and beautifully reimagined.
Breathtaking Timelapse Videos Illustrate the Life of a Fresh-Cut Garden Rose
Timin Wang is a photographer based in Shanghai, China. Since early 2022, he has produced incredible timelapse videos of garden rose varieties grown at Alexandra Farms. Below is an interview we conducted with Timin in June 2025.
Tell us your full name and where you’re from.
My full name is Wang Xu, and Timin is my online and social media name. I was born and raised in Shanghai, China.
How long have you been a photographer? Is this your full-time job, or is it a hobby?
I was first exposed to photography in early 2015 and began to study and practice photography in earnest in 2017, with a focus on landscape photography. It has always been a significant hobby of mine as my dream is to display my printed and framed photographs at home, creating an art museum or gallery-like atmosphere. In 2023, I resigned from my previous job to pursue photography full-time, focusing on timelapse photography of flowers.
How did you get involved in working with flowers?
Interestingly, my foray into flower photography began with my desire to gift beautiful roses to a girl I admired. This led me to research various rose varieties and discover David Austin garden roses. Unsatisfied with conventional photography, I incorporated timelapse techniques from landscape photography into my flower photography to create more elegant, beautiful, and dynamic floral content.
What sort of equipment and space do you use for your timelapse videos?
I typically set up multiple spaces in my studio and use high-pixel DSLR cameras (with 45 million pixels or more) for their superior image quality and stability during prolonged shooting. As camera technology evolves, I am also adding high-pixel mirrorless cameras to my collection.
How did you learn about Alexandra Farms, and how did you first reach out to us?
As I delved deeper into the world of roses, I encountered David Austin garden roses and was captivated by their beauty. Among the David Austin cut garden roses from various regions, those from Colombia’s Alexandra Farms stood out as the highest quality. I contacted the farm through the official website, and your staff were very passionate and friendly.
How did this particular collaboration come to be? How was it decided which varieties you’d get to film?
The collaboration came about through our shared appreciation for beauty. I am very grateful to Joey (Jose R. Azout, president of Alexandra Farms) for giving me this creative opportunity. His enthusiasm, kindness, and refined taste and aesthetics made us quickly reach a consensus on the shoot.
What’s your favorite part of your work?
I enjoy every moment of photographing flowers. But if I had to choose, it would be when I open the footage in software to restore and enhance the colors of the flowers and arrangements. It’s incredibly rewarding to see the results of my efforts and bring my vision to life.
Based on what you were able to film, do you have a favorite garden rose variety?
This is one of my favorite questions as it always reminds me of the most beautiful roses I’ve captured. My top favorites are the Sabrina and Constance from Alexandra Farms.
Why did you decide to keep the dying portion of a bloom’s journey in the filming process, and what do you think it shows us about flowers?
I want to capture the process of flowers withering because, after seeing the beauty of their full bloom, it’s easy to forget how transient beauty is. Beauty is hard to preserve forever. Witnessing the withering process makes us recall the former beautiful moments, reminding viewers to cherish the present beauty. This is why I think flower timelapse videos convey more meaning and inspiration than traditional floral works.
What other kinds of videos or photos do you work on?
In addition to timelapse flower photography, I am passionate about landscape photography, which was my first venture into photography and remains an ongoing focus. I also enjoy documentary-style street photography.
A Fresh and Playful Welcome Dinner in Provence
A welcome dinner is the perfect way to begin your wedding weekend. It is an occasion that invites guests to gather, relax and enjoy the first taste of what is to come. As multi-day celebrations become more popular, couples are exploring new ways to elevate every moment. Each event can be used to showcase a different aspect of their personal style and the setting. Remember, the welcome dinner does not need to echo the look or feel of the wedding day itself. Instead, it offers an exciting opportunity to flex your creativity. From color palette to wardrobe and floral styling, this is your chance to surprise and delight your guests from the very beginning.
A Multi-Day Celebration in Provence
Extended wedding weekends are now considered the hallmark of a luxury destination wedding. From welcome dinners to poolside brunches and farewell lunches, these additional events allow couples to create a dynamic, evolving guest experience across multiple chapters of the celebration.
Rather than being tied to one single design vision, you can enjoy exploring several. A romantic ceremony filled with tradition, followed by a spirited dinner under the stars. Then, the next day, a relaxed farewell gathering with linen shirts and sun hats. Each moment carries its own mood, pace and palette. And best of all, there is no need to leave the venue to achieve this variety. Simply moving from garden to courtyard, styled in an entirely different way, is enough to create a fresh atmosphere.
This Château La Tour Vaucros welcome dinner is a beautiful example of how to maximize the multi-day format. By incorporating a different area of the estate and curating a distinct design scheme, the couple, alongside their planner, WEP in Provence, created an entirely separate guest experience that felt fresh, playful, and full of personality.
When approached with intention, these additional events become more than just pre- or post-wedding gatherings. They become immersive experiences that enhance the entire celebration. In this case, each day was treated as an opportunity to create something visually unique yet complementary. The result is proof that, even while the wedding day remains center stage, your welcome dinner or farewell event should receive the same creative attention.
A Provençal Welcome Dinner with Personality
David Austin Wedding Roses That Elevate the Experience
These roses helped shape the atmosphere of a vibrant, fashion-forward gathering. Apricot, pale peach, buttery cream, and soft blush colors echoed the landscape while playing off the crisp stripe linens and pastel-hued parasols. Elegant yet unfussy, refined yet playful, the palette felt perfectly at home in the warm Provençal light.
Delicately gathered arrangements paired David Austin Wedding Roses with spires of lilac, sweet peas, and other seasonal blooms. This created a natural garden-style that felt considered and organic. All of the florals harmonized beautifully with the olive trees and wisteria that line the terrace, enhancing the Provençal charm. However, it was the roses that acted as the unifying element, anchoring the design and elevating every visual detail.
Styling a Welcome Dinner with Personality
A desire to bring something light-hearted to the start of the weekend inspired the creative direction for this welcome dinner. With its striped tablecloths, scalloped plates and playful pops of color, the styling struck a confident balance between character and chic. A mix of round and long tables gave the terrace space rhythm and flow, while parasols brought dimension and a joyful nod to vintage Riviera style.
The designer carefully curated each place setting, choosing fine glassware, gold-toned cutlery, and layered linens to create a tactile, luxurious feel. A standout detail was the addition of characterful ceramics by Carron Paris. Their sculptural shapes and soft white glaze provided the perfect vessel for the David Austin Wedding Roses. Together, they turned each table into a curated display of craftsmanship and floral artistry.
Inspiration for your Provence Welcome Dinner
The couple used the opportunity to embrace a different look for the welcome dinner. The bride-to-be wore a couture gown by Ziad Nakad, with intricate, light-catching beading and soft draping. Framed by the chateau’s stone walls and set against the colorful styling, the ensemble felt effortlessly high fashion.
As this welcome dinner in Provence proves, every part of your wedding weekend can be infused with personality, beauty and unforgettable design. And David Austin Wedding Roses are at the heart of your creative vision, the result is always luxurious. Investing in each day allows you to craft a truly immersive experience for your guests, one that evolves with style and intention. For more ideas on styling multi-day wedding events with David Austin Wedding Roses, explore their Pinterest boards and gather inspiration.
Introducing the Thursd Floral Trend Color of the Year 2026: Crimson Nocturne – A Pulse Deep Within (#62122A). The deep, muted crimson hue has a touch of cocoa color to it, giving off an elegant, grounded and timeless vibe that hints at the quiet but intense emotions of life. The accompanying color palette, called Crimson Movement, provides the perfect complementary tones.
“There are moments in life, in flowers, when color goes beyond what we see and becomes something we feel,” said Thursd’s Regine Motmans. “Crimson Nocturne is exactly that. It is not simply a color, a tint, a hue. It’s an atmosphere, a pulse even, of how flowers connect us to life’s deepest emotions.”
Inspired by this rich and moody palette, we created three designs showcasing garden roses and dahlias from our collections.
Signature Bouquet
Deep jewel tones and layered textures create a sensual and passionate vibe in this gorgeous bridal bouquet. Tess (Ausyacht) is the main protagonist here, accompanied by other tones from the Crimson Movement palette that reflect the trend, as her deep berry tones perfectly encapsulate passion and a nocturnal warmth. Piano, Garden Romance, and Wanted offer diverse, rich hues, exploring our collection of “Passionate Red” (#C61A3E) varieties, which bring out the uniqueness in each of their shapes and tint this design with all shades of romance and passion.
Sprinkles of Miranda (Ausimmon) enhance the bridal aspect of this bouquet as the variety pops against the vibrant reds and mature sand tones with a hint of “Rosey Pink” (#F4BDD9). Golden Mustard and Hana Spr align with “Golden Caramel” (#BD7A42), adding more subdued and earthy tones. This color combination, along with the fillers and greenery, perfectly captures the trend. Muted and bright, textural and delicate, and dark and light come together to express an entire spectrum of emotions.
Everyday Arrangement
The Floral Trend of the Year color palette creates a sense of atmosphere and amplifies the subtle mystique of the night. A quiet yearning for connection, warmth and vulnerability. Those feelings are captured in our Everyday Arrangement, a piece that reminds us that having a “casual” centerpiece in the home doesn’t mean it has to be unluxurious. For this particular floral vision, we used Tess, Millicent (AUSCP174321), Baronesse, Wanted, Garden Romance and the Karma Chocolate dahlia to transmit the notion of stillness and beauty that the Crimson Movement evokes; with tints of joy in the brighter tones of Princess Midori Spr as our “Nature Green” (#528640), Hana Spr, Miyabi and Caramel Antike.
Centerpiece
Lean into the “wow factor” and don’t shy away from adorning your dining area with a maximalist and full table train. This floral recipe showcases a diverse range of colors, shapes, and textures, and the saturation and abundance of blooms create an exquisite atmosphere. The contrasting tones of red garden roses and the green highlights of Princess Midori Spr are tied together with the medium pinks of Millicent and Miyabi, the subtle golds of Hana Spr and Golden Mustard, and the salmon accents of the Doris Duke dahlia. This spectrum of color calls for intimate gatherings, late-night conversations, and the appreciation of beauty.
Bring This Trend to Life
Evocative visuals and intense colors… The moody ambiance that Crimson Nocturne offers is easily expressed with garden roses. Each of these blooms ignites an emotion powerful enough to inspire music or poetry. Varieties from Alexandra Farms are sure to enhance the emotions your design work conveys. Garden roses radiate timeless emotion and a confident delicateness. Bring the Crimson Nocturne floral trend to life in its full potential with garden roses.
Designer Spotlight: Q&A with Gilberto Freihoff of Dogwood and Fir
You were one of the first floral designers to use the new David Austin cut roses. What were your first impressions, and do you have a favorite?
First and foremost, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the David Austin family for entrusting Dogwood and Fir with the opportunity to work with their stunning new rose varieties. It was truly an honor to be among the first floral designers to explore these exquisite additions to their collection.
In our designs, we featured Hettie (AUSCP17117) and Millicent (AUSCP17431) as the stars of the show. I can confidently say that both roses are absolutely breathtaking and distinctly unique. I don’t think I can possibly choose a favorite, as each rose possesses its own charm and personality. They work beautifully as a duo or on their own. David Austin has truly outdone themselves this time.
Hettie is a vibrant and cheerful hot pink rose that instantly lifts the mood of any design. Her bold personality and outgoing demeanor are impossible to miss. Once she blooms, she commands attention with her striking color and confident presence.
On the other hand, Millicent exudes a more refined elegance. She has a graceful, almost demure quality that draws you in, and her narcotic scent is utterly enchanting. The delicate rosette form of Millicent adds an air of sophistication to any floral design. Everyone at Dogwood and Fir was completely captivated by her beautiful rosette, and I could easily see why she would be a favorite for weddings.
Working with these roses has opened up new creative possibilities for us. The way Hettie’s boldness contrasts with Millicent’s elegance allows us to craft arrangements that convey a rich narrative. Their unique characteristics not only enhance the visual appeal of our designs but also evoke emotions that resonate deeply with couples on their special day. I look forward to incorporating these stunning roses into future creations and can’t wait to see how they inspire others.
You created an incredible masterpiece using our new roses, what was your inspiration?
My inspiration often springs from the rich worlds of fashion, art, and history. When I first read the brief and detailed descriptions of the new roses, I immediately envisioned a photoshoot that would capture their vibrant personalities. I wanted to create an atmosphere that combines the elegance of English gardens with the grandeur of European old-world aesthetics, evoking the feeling of stepping into a beautifully staged tableau.
One of my favorite artists, François Boucher, has had a profound influence on my work at Dogwood and Fir. His ability to infuse life and movement into his compositions is something I admire deeply. After spending time in the galleries of The Wallace Collection in London, surrounded by Boucher’s exquisite pieces, I had a real “aha” moment. His paintings’ lush colors and romantic themes inspired me to channel that same sense of beauty and drama into my floral designs.
To bring this vision to life, I imagined a setting that intertwined the elegance of classic artistry with modern romanticism. I wanted the new rose varieties to shine, reflecting the soft pastels and opulent textures often found in Boucher’s artwork. It was important that the scene felt both intimate and grand, highlighting the roses as the central characters of this floral narrative. Much like in Boucher’s paintings, the interplay of light and shadow played a crucial role in my design process, adding depth and dimension to the arrangements.
When designing this photoshoot, I started by closely studying the hues and undertones of the elements I’m working with. For this particular shoot, I noticed that Millicent exhibited subtle blue undertones that reminded me of lilac. This observation inspired me to incorporate lilac into the color palette, which beautifully complemented the overall aesthetic. Hettie, with her vibrant hot pink, became the perfect highlight, adding depth and visual interest to the composition.
By thoughtfully blending these colors, patterns, and textures, I aimed to create a harmonious balance that draws the eye and evokes emotion. Each element plays a distinct role in the design, allowing the roses to shine while enhancing the overall narrative of the shoot. Ultimately, this careful consideration of color relationships and textural contrasts brought the vision to life, creating a stunning tableau that captures the essence of these exquisite roses.
To learn more about Gilberto’s beautiful work, please visit Dogwood & Fir.
We love how you have blended color, pattern, and texture into the photoshoot, how did you go about designing this?
Find Out ‘How Many Garden Roses Do I Need?’ for Different Designs
When planning a luxury wedding, one of the most common questions couples ask is, “How many garden roses do I need?” Understanding garden rose quantities is crucial when deciding on the perfect floral design for your special day. From grand floral arches to elegant bouquets, knowing the number of stems required also ensures your budget is planned appropriately. We always recommend working with a floral designer, guaranteeing expert guidance at every step.
Because of the large, opulent blooms of David Austin Wedding Roses, you may not need as many garden roses as you think. Look at our guide to quantities for different styles of floral arrangements.
Floral Arches
Floral arches create a dramatic entrance and are a striking backdrop for wedding ceremonies. To achieve a full, abundant arch with cascading blooms and layered textures, you will need approximately 300 garden rose stems. David Austin Wedding Roses, with their lush and bountiful rosettes, are ideal for floral arches, and a generous quantity ensures the design is visually impactful.
When it comes to table centerpieces, the first step is deciding which design style you are leaning towards. This will shape the quantities required. Will you be embracing the emerging trend for 2025 with intentional and minimalist design or opting for plentiful and opulent centerpieces? Whichever you decide, the large, opulent blooms of David Austin Wedding Roses may mean you don’t need as many garden roses as you think. Plan for a minimum of 30 garden rose stemsper table. This will allow for a balanced and textural single centerpiece or a collection of minimalist single stems. Of course, if you’re hoping to dress your tables with a floral table runner, you will be looking at a much larger quantity.
Large floral urns are perfect for making a statement throughout your wedding day. Position them at the entrance of your ceremony, on either side of the aisle or around the reception area. These grand-scale arrangements require approximately 120 garden rose stems per urn to achieve a luxurious, full look that draws the eye. With this many garden roses, you can be sure that the display will be textural and a true show-stopper.
Photography: @jessicamangia_photography
How Many Garden Roses for Bouquets
Bridal Bouquets come in all shapes and sizes. Again, when thinking about quantities, the number of garden roses required will depend on the style you prefer. For a smaller, more compact bouquet, you will need around 15 garden rose stems. This will create an elegant, understated design that focuses on simplicity and beauty. For brides opting for a more abundant and profuse bouquet, aim for a minimum of 25 garden rose stems. When using David Austin Wedding Roses, your bouquet will not only complement your bridal look but also make a beautiful statement as you walk down the aisle.
Understanding garden rose quantities is essential in creating your dream wedding aesthetic and managing your floral budget. David Austin Wedding Roses, known for their timeless beauty and luxurious qualities, are available year-round and worldwide, making them a versatile choice for any wedding, no matter the season or location. Working closely with your floral designer ensures each arrangement is tailored to your vision, but having an idea of the quantities needed will help guide the process and ensure you achieve the look you desire.
Sahara Sensation: Get to Know This Spectacular Rose
Alexandra Farms is proud to grow Sahara Sensation, a fantastic variety bred by Dümmen Orange. Sahara Sensation is typically available in the market as a delightful spray rose. After hearing from floral designers that they needed more focal flowers with sandy, nude tones, we began producing Sahara Sensation as a single.
Sahara Sensation has a unique tone unlike any other in our collection, with exquisite hues of warm and light yellow with slight tinges of light, dusty, blush pink. The color easily blends into an abundance of palettes, radiating specks of sunshine wherever it goes. This striking Dutch rose is alluring. Her swirling spiral shape and excellent color help make sense of her name: the illusion of curving, never-ending dunes of sand in a vast desert. Sahara Sensation is a blend of multiple earthly things that make it complex and beautiful: strong and long-lasting with a sturdy, thick stem that performs well and contrasts with the dainty appearance of her bloom head and the scalloped edges of her petals.
Sahara Sensation evokes feelings of both familiarity and wonder. With a pleasant and elegant look that also offers glee, she’s not a “stern” looking rose. She carries herself with grace and lushness, almost as though in her petals she unravels a romantic nostalgia, merging the elevated status of a vintage rose with a form of perceived innocence and a sweet nature.
Now that you know more about this rose, what do you think of our beloved Sahara Sensation?
