It sounds easy to buy rose plants from a nursery, but anyone who really loves roses knows it’s not always that easy. Most people believe that every rose plant in a nursery is perfect and smells good. The truth is, though, that not all roses are the same and not all of them are real. Some of them are beautiful but don’t smell at all. Most gardeners call these roses “fake roses,” which means they are real plants that don’t smell like roses. They are not plastic flowers. Real roses, on the other hand, not only look beautiful, but they also have the classic, rich scent that makes roses special. You can easily tell that it is a real rose.
If you are going to buy roses and want to avoid disappointment later, this will definitely help you identify the real roses and fake roses while buying from any nursery.
Difference Between a Real Rose and Fake Rose Plant
Before visiting any nursery, it’s important to understand what we mean by real roses and fake rose flowers.
- Real roses: Naturally fragrant varieties that carry the traditional rose fragrance. Even from a low distance, these spread such an amazing fragrance that is loved by everyone.
- Fake roses: They look like real rose plants, their appearance sounds the same, color, or shelf life also sounds similar, but these rose plants or flowers have no fragrance, even when trying to inhale by touching on the nose.
A lot of modern hybrid roses have been planted for business reasons. They might look perfect, with perfect petals, bright colors, and long-lasting blooms, but they might not smell at all.
6 Steps For Choosing Real Rose Plant Wisely
1. Always Smell Before You Buy
A lot of buyers forget this simple step, even though it may seem very common. We should not be afraid to gently bring the flower closer and smell it. Even in the open air of a nursery, a real fragrant rose will smell good. If you have to work hard to smell anything, it may be a kind of fake rose flower (low-fragrance or no-fragrance varieties). Aside from this, in my experience, the best time to check a fragrance is in the morning, when roses naturally release stronger scents.
2. Ask For Roses Variety To The Nursery Staff
People know that each type of rose has its own unique traits. Some well-known types of roses are known for their smell.
For example:
- Rosa damascena – This rose variety is known for its strong, traditional rose fragrance.
- Rosa centifolia – It is highly fragrant and often used in perfumes.
- Rosa’s Mr. Lincoln’ – This rose variety is a powerful classic rose fragrance with large velvety red flowers.
- Rosa ‘Double Delight’ – It is a strong spicy-sweet fragrance; cream flowers with red edges.
- Rosa ‘Gertrude Jekyll’ – This rose variety has an intense old rose scent with rich pink blooms and repeat flowering.
Also Read: Top 5 Roses For Your Beautiful Garden
If the nursery staff can’t tell you the name of the variety clearly, that could be a small red flag. Most of the time, nurseries that are well-known and trustworthy label their plants with the names of their varieties. When you know the variety, you can even quickly research whether it’s known for fragrance or it’s just for appearance.
3. Go through The Plant Structure, Not Just the Flower
When we go to the nursery, most of the time we get attracted only to the flowers that are blooming. But to identify real roses, we must observe deeply to get rid of the scam of fake roses.
What To Observe There?
- Check that the plant has healthy green leaves without excessive yellowing.
- Stems must be strong.
- The Thorn structure of the rose plants must be natural.
- Must observe that there should be no signs of chemical polish on leaves. Check it by throwing water on leaves.
Sometimes fake roses (low-fragrance hybrids) are heavily fertilized, and chemicals are used to make them look extra glossy and attractive. Fake flower plants may look perfect, but natural fragrant varieties and real rose plants sometimes have a slightly softer, more organic appearance.
4. Look at the Petal Texture
Fragrant real roses always have softer petals, multiple layers, and a thicker texture. While highly commercial roses or fake rose plants grown for decoration may have stiff petals designed for longer life in bouquets. Texture can give a hint to easily identify them.
5. Observe Bloom Shape
Old garden roses and traditional fragrant varieties have fuller, rounded, beautiful blooms. But some modern roses, or fake ones, are planted for pointed, high-centered shapes that look elegant, lacking strong fragrance. Observing through bloom can be a little harder, but if you are diving deeply into this field, it can be easy for you.
6. Don’t Be Fooled by Bright Colors Alone
Sometimes, very bright neon shades belong to heavily hybridized varieties. While they can be beautiful, fragrance is not always their priority.
Also Read: What Shrubs With Roses Plant Perfect For Transforming Your Space?
Many real roses known for fragrance come in softer shades, pink, deep red, or creamy white.
My Personal Story: The Day I Almost Bought Fake Roses
A couple of months ago, I went to a nursery to purchase a rose plant. The place had many roses in full bloom, and their colors were red, yellow, orange, and even purple. I was literally in a state of confusion and got lost in the rose flowers blooming everywhere. However, one plant in the nursery caught my attention. The plant had large red roses and looked perfect.
I did not think much and had chosen the plant and was ready to pay. However, something stopped me. When the rose plant was in my hand, I started thinking and found that the plant had no fragrance. So, I asked the staff member. A staff member told me that this is a baby plant, and this might be the reason why I had not found the fragrance.
I tried another flower from the same plant, but the problem was the same. That was the day when I realized I was about to buy what many people would call a fake rose, not artificial, but fragrance-free. After a few days, I bought the rose flower after having all the prechecks mentioned above, and successfully bought a real rose flower with the real fragrance. The fragrance was rich, deep, and natural. I asked the staff about the variety, and they told me it was a traditional fragrant type.
Final Thoughts
The difference between real roses and fake roses is not about plastic versus natural. It is about fragrance, their identifications, and gardening satisfaction. A rose without fragrance may still be beautiful, but if you are a true flower lover for their timeless charm, fragrance should be non-negotiable, and no rose lover can compromise with their fragrance. It is my advice for every rose lover, or if anybody is going to buy and visit a nursery, take your time. Check the fragrance of the flowers. Ask questions. Observe very carefully. Because sometimes, the most beautiful rose is not the one that looks perfect, it is the one that smells like a real memory.
