When is rose season?
Roses are everywhere—on florists’ displays, in bouquets given for birthdays, romantic gestures, or simply to say “thank you.” They’re the most commonly purchased flower in France, and probably the most beloved. But behind this constant availability lies a reality we’re quick to forget: roses have a season, and it’s not Valentine’s Day.
When is the real rose season?
The rose is a spring and summer flower. That is when it blooms naturally, smells its best, and is at its most beautiful.
Spring and Summer: The Height of Blooming Season
The first roses appear in May, depending on the region and variety. From then until the end of August, it’s peak season: the colors are vibrant, the fragrance is strong, and the stems are sturdy. This is when cut roses last longest in a vase, when a bouquet really smells wonderful, and when florists offer the widest selection. If you want to give roses when they’re at their best, this is the time of year to do it.
Fall: One Last Wave Before Winter
Many varieties of roses are repeat-flowering: they produce a second bloom in September and October, often more subdued than thesummer bloom, but still very much present. The colors deepen, and the roses take on richer shades—burgundy, apricot, and copper. It’s a beautiful second season for roses, one that’s often overlooked yet so generous.
I find my bouquet of flowers
Why are roses available all year round?
That’s the question we don’t ask often enough. If the natural season for roses runs from spring tofall, how is it that we find them in December, in March—in the middle of winter?
Imports and Greenhouse Cultivation: What's Really Changing
The vast majority of roses sold out of season in France come from abroad, mainly from Ecuador, Kenya, or the Netherlands. These are countries where the climate allows for nearly continuous production, or where heated greenhouses are used to replicate artificial growing conditions. It is an efficient industry that seeks to ensure year-round availability. But it’s not the same as a rose in season.
Scent, freshness, environmental footprint: what we gain and what we lose
A rose imported in winter is often beautiful to look at but lacks fragrance. A rose’s scent develops fully when the flower grows at its natural pace, with the light and warmth that go along with it. A rose grown in a greenhouse or picked before it’s fully ripe to withstand a long journey will never have quite the same scent as a June rose.
Added to this is the issue of the environmental footprint: air transport from Kenya or Ecuador, refrigeration, heated greenhouses… The carbon footprint of an out-of-season rose is incomparable to that of a rose grown locally at the right time of year. So is the price…That’s not a reason to never give roses in the winter, but it’s good to know.
Valentine's Day, or the Paradox of the Off-Season Rose
February 14 is, along with Mother's Day, the busiest day of the year for florists. It's also, weather-wise, the worst time to buy roses.
February: The Worst Time for Roses
In February, no roses bloom naturally in France. All the roses sold on Valentine’s Day are imported or grown in greenhouses. Demand is massive, prices skyrocket, and quality isn’t always up to par. The red rose on February 14 has become such a powerful symbol that we’ve forgotten to ask ourselves whether it’s really the best wayto give flowers.
Alternatives to Offer in February
Fortunately, February has its own seasonal flowers, and they’re just as beautiful. Tulips are at their best in winter and early spring: fresh, colorful, and available in dozens of varieties.The anemone, with its deep hues and dark center, is one of the most beautiful flowers of this season. The mimosa, the symbol of February, offers a warmth and fragrance that no winter rose can truly rival. And if you absolutely must have a rose, our florists will be happy to recommend the varieties that hold up best during this time of year.
Sessile's tip: Choose roses when they're in season
At Sessile, we love roses. All year round, for every occasion. But most of all, we love roses given at just the right moment: the ones that smell wonderful, last a long time, and are picked just as they’re about to reach full bloom.
Choosing a seasonal rose means choosing a rose that’s truly a rose. Our local florists are here to guide you, no matter the time of year. And if it’s not rose season, they’re sure to have a beautiful alternative on their shelves to offer you!
Who are we?
Sessile champions the independence of artisan florists online. Founded in 2019 by six friends, Sessile brings together 500 florists committed to transforming the industry and enables flower delivery throughout France, Belgium, and Luxembourg. By breaking away from the traditional online catalog model, the network highlights each florist’s expertise and helps keep the art of floristry alive. Florists can pursue their passion and create more creative bouquets because they have greater freedom to offer seasonal flowers and, whenever possible, locally sourced flowers.