The elegant “Rainy Blue” rose has become a highly sought after flower in recent years. With its stunning lavender-blue petals and mild, sweet fragrance, it’s easy to see why gardeners and floral designers alike are seeking out this beautiful bloom. If you’re looking to add a touch of classic romance to your garden or arrangements, read on to learn more about the rainy blue rose and where you can find it for sale.
Overview of the Rainy Blue Rose
First introduced in 2012 by Japanese nursery Keisei Rose Nurseries, the rainy blue rose was bred by German hybridizer Christian Evers. It features semi-double blooms in a gorgeous mauve or purple-blue shade, sometimes described as a “rainy day” blue. The ruffled petals number up to 57 per bloom and surround yellow stamens in the center.
These blooms emerge from dark green, dense foliage on a bushy shrub rose plant. Mature plants can reach up to 6 feet tall and wide While most blue roses are more susceptible to disease, the rainy blue rose boasts excellent disease resistance It also has a light, pleasant fragrance and repeats blooms throughout the season.
Prime Uses for Rainy Blue Roses
With their elegant coloring and good landscape performance, rainy blue roses shine in:
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Flower gardens – Adds a unique color to rose bouquet beds. Provides visual interest and fragrance.
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Borders and hedges – Dense growth makes a beautiful flowering hedge. Stunning color for border plants.
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Container gardens – Can be grown in pots on patios and decks. Makes a gorgeous focal point.
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Cut flowers – Long vase life and unusual bluish shade provides striking bouquets.
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Weddings and events – Romantic lavender-blue roses complement many event color palettes.
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Gardens needing blue flowers – Adds rare true blue tones compared to hydrangeas and irises.
Where to Buy Rainy Blue Roses Online
Finding rainy blue roses at local nurseries can be hit or miss. Your best bet is to shop with online rose specialists who carry this variety Here are some top options
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Direct from nurseries – Rose hybridizers like Springland Flowers sell rainbow blue.
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Specialty rose retailers – Websites like Kate Roses have rainy blue roses for sale
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General plant e-commerce – Planting Rose and others carry this variety.
When buying online, look for retailers that ship bareroot roses during ideal spring planting times. This reduces transplant shock. Also check guarantees in case the rose arrives damaged.
What to Expect When Buying Rainy Blue Roses
If you’re new to ordering roses online, here are some useful things to know:
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Bare root shipping – Most mail order roses are dormant, bareroot plants to reduce shipping costs and increase survival. Don’t expect leaves, flowers, or soil.
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Smaller starter size – Bareroot roses are often smaller one or two year old starters versus mature potted plants. But they establish quickly.
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Ideal spring planting – When shipped dormant in spring, bareroot roses adapt better than during summer’s heat.
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Quick revival – Within days of planting, bareroot roses send up fresh shoots. Keep soil moist until established.
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Possible replacements – If a rose arrives damaged despite proper handling, reputable sellers will replace the plant.
While buying bareroot isn’t quite like picking up a potted rose at the garden center, it allows you to access hard-to-find varieties like the rainy blue rose from specialized growers. With proper planting and care, these roses will thrive for years to come.
Caring for Your Rainy Blue Roses
To get the most out of your rainy blue roses, provide the following conditions:
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Full sun – At least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily promotes the most prolific blooms.
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Well-draining soil – Good drainage is key, especially with clay soils. Amend if needed.
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Moderate water – Water 1-2 times a week so soil is consistently moist but not saturated.
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Fertilizer – Use a balanced time-release fertilizer at planting then a nutrient-rich rose fertilizer monthly.
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Pruning – In spring, remove dead canes and stems that cross or grow inward. Shape loosely.
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Winter protection – In very cold climates, protect plants with mounded mulch or wrapped/hilled stems.
Enjoy the Unique Beauty of Rainy Blue
If you love elegant English roses but want to expand beyond traditional rose colors, consider growing the evocatively named rainy blue variety. Its soft lavender-blue blooms infused with a delicate scent bring something uniquely beautiful to any garden. Although not always readily available locally, you can often find rainy blue roses for sale from online specialty growers. They make wonderful additions to gardens, borders, containers, and vase bouquets. With its outstanding disease resistance and repeat flowering, this rose is sure to be a treasured addition to your landscape for years of enjoyment.