This photo comes courtesy of floral industry expert J M. H. Schwanke, who says that they were all the buzz at Hortifair, the big floral trade show that happens in Holland every year in early November.
How do they do it? These roses are stem-dyed, which means that they are put into water with dye, and the roses absorb the dye and the colors of the petals change. (I visited an amazing flower dye factory in Holland called Multicolor; you can see a photo of the place on my website and read more about it in Flower Confidential.)
These particular roses, which were probably white to begin with, had their stems split into four sections at the base, and each section was put in a different color dye and allowed to drink its fill.
What's the reaction? Says one blogger, "Gay wedding planners have never been happier." He also says that he was able to order some from Mellano and Company for about $6 per stem; I have not checked this out, but if you do, let me know how it goes.
Ugh. No thanks. They might as well be made of plastic.
Posted by: Heather | November 15, 2006 at 07:49 AM
We used to do this with carnations and food coloring when I was a kid. I'm surprised it took so long for this idea to go commercial.
Posted by: Natalia | November 15, 2006 at 11:53 AM
These are truly horrible - like some gruesome cabbage patch doll flower.
Would they look better if it were tones of one colour - light to dark red perhaps?
Are black roses and those cobalt blue gladioli not dyed?
Petrol stations in Scotland seem to specialise in dyed turquoise carnations mixed with orange died chrythanths. Lovely!
Posted by: Jane | November 15, 2006 at 12:33 PM
Those look hideous to me. I wouldn't buy them at any price!
Posted by: Carol | November 15, 2006 at 03:49 PM
Nice roses, fantastic !
I am wondering where this photo was taken.
See also www.happycolors.info which is my favourite site.
Posted by: Cleopatra | November 30, 2006 at 01:23 PM
if I WANT TO PRODUCE this rain bow rose in my garden what things i shoude to do? and how we can take seed of rainbow rose? please send to my email.
khodadad_samaneh154@yahoo.com
Posted by: samaneh khodadad | February 14, 2007 at 09:06 AM
very Nice roses
Posted by: mohamad | February 14, 2007 at 01:17 PM
I've bought a few of these roses - novelty value, but they are gorgeous, very false, but pretty none-the-less. How on earth I'll put them in bouquet that won't clash I don't know!
Kind of like Christmas lights - Garish, tacky, false, but still very pretty.
They keep children quite too, ask them for suggestions on how they were made!
Posted by: Gemma | March 03, 2007 at 05:08 AM
Great!!! Creation. Where can i buy these roses? please be kind mail to me zapro@yandex.ru
Posted by: Zafar | April 23, 2007 at 06:50 AM
Where can i order this beautiful rose??
i cannot find a supplier....
my e-mail is :morris_chan@163.com
thanks
Posted by: morris chan | May 21, 2007 at 07:53 PM
Hey, this is probably a dead post by now, but just in case anyone drops by here. Mellano and Company does have them....you need to contact your local florist and have them place an order with them.
I got some for my girlfriend and she flipped.
Posted by: Alex | August 19, 2007 at 06:40 AM
GORGEOUS! To heck with the conservative color shy naysayers! This is a great flower for kids parties and fun fiesty events!
Posted by: BDiddle | August 30, 2007 at 11:43 AM
These roses have got to be one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen! I'm in love with them!
Posted by: Amberly | October 07, 2007 at 11:04 AM
i want to buy these for my b-day cause im gay nd their amazing can u tell me where to get them???
Posted by: tasha | November 10, 2007 at 08:49 PM
i have the same question as a previous onlooker,where can i get such a beautiful rose?my email is:
performergrl88@yahoo.com
Posted by: Paige Hiserman | November 27, 2007 at 07:51 PM
i have the same question as a previous onlooker,where can i get such a beautiful rose?my email is:
performergrl88@yahoo.com
Posted by: Paige Hiserman | November 27, 2007 at 07:54 PM
Flippin' awesome! I think I'll make some. Lolz.
Posted by: Jax | January 22, 2008 at 09:55 AM
Thank you, Luc <3
Posted by: Leah | April 05, 2008 at 08:30 AM
You can purchase rainbow roses at It's a Blooming Business in Sherman Oaks California
the website is www.itsabloomingbusiness.com
phone number 818-783-4846
This florist carries them all the time any has a variety of rainbow rose arrangements available for local delivery.
They will also ship overnight anywhere in the US via Fedex.
Posted by: donna | April 09, 2008 at 03:47 AM
Thanks for the explanation. I saw these at a flower show last weekend here in Tokyo and couldn't figure out how they did it.
Posted by: Calton Bolick | May 21, 2008 at 01:31 AM
Hey Nice One....Thanks for the post...I love rainbow roses....These roses have got to be one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen
Posted by: Flower Girl | July 02, 2008 at 10:06 PM
where can i buy these in australia - i want them for my wedding!
please email me at jaquiiz@hotmail.com
Posted by: jaki | July 21, 2008 at 09:16 PM
where can i buy these in australia - i want them for my wedding!
please email me at jaquiiz@hotmail.com
Posted by: jaki | July 21, 2008 at 09:16 PM
THE RAINBOW ROSES ARE AVAILABLE AT MELLANO AND COMPANY, IN DOWNTOWN LA, FLOWER MARKET.
DROP BY ANY DAY AFTER 6 AM AND U CAN GET THESE BEAUTIFUL ROSES AT $3.50 A STEM, U WILL NEVER FIND A CHEAPER PRICE IN LA FOR THAT MATTER. THESE GUYS BRING IT IN DIRECTLY.
Posted by: Arvind | August 20, 2008 at 06:53 AM
those r so pretty
Posted by: kity | February 10, 2009 at 09:24 PM
I put my name on a waiting list here in my home town of Waco, Texas 2 years ago and just picked up my Rainbow Rose bush today. The waiting list is a long one here. My best friend will be saddened that she has to wait longer for the 2 that she ordered on the same day I put my order in. The nursery where I reserved mine at only got 30 shipped in and the waiting list is still growing and it is the only nursery where it can be ordered here. Good luck finding this awesome and beautiful plant. If you can find a nursery to order one from, I can promise you that it is definately worth waiting for. They are beautiful.
Posted by: Evelyn | March 28, 2009 at 02:37 PM
Those are the most beautiful natural things i have ever seen!!
Posted by: Giggle | April 04, 2009 at 06:14 PM
hi where can you buy these rose plants i love them they are so beautiful
Posted by: patricia eberle | April 12, 2009 at 11:53 PM
You can have these shipped overnight anywhere in the US at www.fiestaroses.com
Posted by: Mark | May 20, 2009 at 10:31 PM
i would love to have these in my flower beds can u please send me a website that i can go on and order some
Shoecrazy69@aol.com
thanks bunches
amanda
Posted by: Amanada Boyett | May 24, 2009 at 03:08 PM
I just made my own and they turned out perfectly. All I did was split the stems by four and out each section of stem in its own little water container(you know those green tubes they put single flowers in)with lots of food coloring. I forgot the gloves so I am just as colorful now but the flowers are perfect!!!
Posted by: Cristel | May 28, 2009 at 03:35 PM
i have shopped around for rainbow roses on the internet and found big price range. try http://www.fiestaroses.com/ they seem to be the best value.
Posted by: terry rossi | June 19, 2009 at 01:35 PM
Thank you for posting this blog. I am glad I found it. It really helps me with my work in prom dress design and I think I am a better person because of it. Great Job and God bless.
Posted by: Prom Dresses | November 20, 2009 at 01:41 PM
I am extremely excited about discovering these flowers. Rainbows have been a significant part of my realtionship with my now fiance'.
I am planning our wedding and these flowers will be perfect!!!!
Posted by: Heather | January 15, 2010 at 11:21 PM
Gorgeous!!! I want some for vday so bad.
Posted by: Jessica | February 01, 2010 at 11:54 AM
I think they're beautiful!
Posted by: Crystal Ray | November 11, 2011 at 02:31 PM