Each morning for the past week, I took a stroll through the Penticton rose garden, a calming ritual that started my day. The air was warm, and the scent of blooming roses filled the air as I walked through the garden with my camera, looking for three pretty roses that spoke to me.

Roses speak a language of their own, their colours carrying messages. Red roses, symbols of deep love and passion, remind me of  life’s pursuits. Yellow roses, cheerful and bright, bring to mind friendship and joy, reminding me of sunny days and laughter shared with friends. Orange roses, vibrant and fiery, speak of enthusiasm and fascination, their bold colour stirring feelings of excitement and admiration. White roses, with their pure elegance, symbolize innocence and new beginnings, often invoking memories of fresh starts and hopeful tomorrows. Pink roses, my personal favourite, blend the meanings of admiration and gratitude, their soft blush a nod to gentler, more heartfelt emotions.

I remember a class I once took on flower reading, where each participant brought a flower, and we were to interpret its owner’s personality. We placed our flowers in a vase, anonymous to all but ourselves, and took turns picking one to read. I still laugh when I think of that class, especially the reading of my pink rose from our family garden. It wasn’t the classic beauty—its petals were slightly misshapen, the edges a bit dry, and, of course, a tiny spider emerged from its depths. The person who picked my rose only saw its imperfections and gave a rather off-base reading.

From that moment on, I realized that only I could truly understand the nuances of my personality and character. That pink rose, with its flaws and unexpected guest, symbolized home, family, and our yearly tradition of watching these roses bloom. It wasn’t perfect, but it was perfectly me, a blend of beauty and quirkiness, just like my favourite flowers. Now, as I walk through the rose garden each morning, I smile at the memories and the meanings each rose colour brings to life.

I have created a wall art set featuring three of my favorite roses from the Penticton Rose Garden.

Pink –  Gratitude & Kindness

White  – Innocence & Hope

Orange – Enthusiasm and Energy

They are all tied together with Yellow – Friendship

This collection is a lovely daily reminder of the wonderful symbolism and emotions that roses embody. Each piece is a celebration of the moments and meanings that make life beautiful.