Differences Between Chinese Rose and Rose Among the "Three Sisters of Rosa" and the National Flower and City Flower Symbolism

Chinese rose and rose are both members of the “Three Sisters of Rosa”, often leaving many people completely confused; at a rough glance the two look mostly similar, but upon closer observation they are quite different. So do you know what the differences between Chinese rose and rose are? What are the methods of telling them apart? What are their flower meanings and symbolic meanings? Which places have them as national flowers or city flowers?

I. Differences Between Chinese Rose and Rose

1. Differences in appearance.

Chinese rose and rose differ in appearance in terms of stem thorns, leaves, flowers, flower colors and fruits. The Chinese rose has good stem uprightness, the stem is nearly hairless, some stems have thorns and some do not, and those with thorns have relatively large thorns that are rather loosely distributed; while the rose has poor stem uprightness, the stem has fine hairs, and it grows hard, dense, sharp and slender thorns, which also bear fine hairs. The Chinese rose has small and sparse leaves, the upper and lower leaves are dark green and light green, the blades are broadly ovate to ovate-oblong, the margins have sharp serrations, both sides are nearly hairless, and the leaves are glossy; while the rose has relatively many leaves, the upper and lower leaves are dark green and grayish green, the blades are elliptical or elliptic-obovate, the margins have sharp serrations, the upper leaves are smooth and the lower leaves have fine hairs, and the leaves are not glossy. The Chinese rose generally has a single terminal flower, and also several flowers in clusters, and when it blooms the petals spread open, the flower shape is relatively large, and the petals are not on one plane; while the rose generally has a single terminal flower or 2-3 flowers in clusters, and when it blooms the petals are tight, the flower shape is wrapped together, and the petals mostly open on one plane. The Chinese rose has many flower colors, including red, pink, white, yellow, purple and so on; while the rose has relatively uniform flower colors, basically only bright red. The fruit of the Chinese rose is spherical; while the fruit of the rose is oblate.

2. Differences in flowering period.

If the Chinese rose is properly cared for, it blooms every month and the flowers never fade; while the rose blooms in summer, and its flowering period is relatively short.

3. Differences in floral fragrance.

The floral fragrance of the Chinese rose is faint, and if you stand far away you basically cannot smell the scent; while the rose has a strong floral fragrance that makes people intoxicated.

4. Differences in freshness period.

After the fresh flowers of the Chinese rose are cut, they generally can be kept for several days or several weeks, and the freshness period is long; while after the fresh flowers of the rose are cut, within less than 3 days the edges scorch, and the freshness period is relatively short.

II. What Is the Flower Meaning of the Chinese Rose?

Among Chinese roses, the flower meaning of the red Chinese rose is pure love, passionate love, commendable enthusiasm, chastity and so on, the flower meaning of the white Chinese rose is respect and nobility, the flower meaning of the pink Chinese rose is first love, the flower meaning of the black Chinese rose is individuality and creativity, the flower meaning of the blue-purple Chinese rose is preciousness and rarity, the flower meaning of the orange-yellow Chinese rose is full of youthful spirit and beauty, the flower meaning of the yellow Chinese rose is apology, the flower meaning of the green-white Chinese rose is purity, frugality and a pure heart, the flower meaning of the two-colored Chinese rose is contradiction and having many interests, and the flower meaning of the three-colored Chinese rose is erudition and deep affection.

III. What Symbolic Meaning Does the Rose Have?

Among roses, the red rose represents passionate true love, the yellow rose represents cherished blessings and jealous lost love, the purple rose represents romantic true affection and precious uniqueness, the white rose represents pure innocence, the black rose represents gentle sincerity, the orange-red rose represents friendship and youthful beauty, the blue rose represents honesty and kindness, 1 rose represents that you are the only one in my heart, 2 roses represent that there are only the two of us in this world, 3 roses represent I love you, 4 roses represent until death do us part, 5 roses represent heartfelt appreciation, 6 roses represent mutual respect, mutual love and mutual understanding, 7 roses represent I secretly love you, 8 roses represent thank you for your care, support and encouragement, 9 roses represent long-lasting, 11 roses represent I care only for you alone, 99 roses symbolize everlasting, and 100 roses symbolize one hundred percent love.

IV. Which Places Have Chinese Rose and Rose as National Flowers or City Flowers?

The Chinese rose is hailed as the “Queen of Flowers”, has the symbolism of happiness, beauty, peace and friendship, is the national flower of the United States, Italy, Luxembourg, Iraq, Syria and other countries, and is the city flower of 52 cities in China including Beijing, Tianjin, Shijiazhuang, Zhengzhou, Nanchang, Dalian and Xi'an; the rose is the national flower of the United Kingdom, the United States, Spain, Luxembourg and Bulgaria, and is the city flower of cities in China such as Shenyang, Jiamusi and Chengde.

V. Are the Roses on the Market Actually All Chinese Roses?

Because people have a relatively large demand for roses, many people mistake Chinese roses for roses. So, are all the roses on the market Chinese roses? Actually not; it can only be said that most of the roses in the flower market are Chinese roses, because the Chinese rose has a beautiful flower shape, many flower colors, a long freshness period and relatively high ornamental value, so customers prefer Chinese roses. But in the flower tea market or in other markets that use roses as a raw material, the roses are all true roses. However, whether it is rose or Chinese rose, both contain people's beautiful implications for love.