By DON DARE
6 On Your Side Reporter
KNOXVILLE (WATE) - Red roses may be the best known color for Valentine's Day, but there are many other colors that all have different meanings.
At the Tennessee Florist Supply warehouse, about 250,000 roses will move in and out between now and Valentine's Day. It will be their busiest time of the year.
The florist supply's Tammy Holsapple is an expert on the true meaning of each color.
We started with pink. "These are three different shades of pink. This is your darker shade, saying thank you and appreciation. This is your medium shade that would say just about anything. This light pink, that's grace and elegance," she explained.
Yellow roses are bright and bring a smile, but the color once had a different meaning than it does today.
"Historically, it was considered to mean jealousy, but in modern time we associate it with friendship and joy," Holsapple said.
When asked how popular yellow roses are, she said, "The yellow rose is a year round rose that is popular for weddings for parties, and especially for Valentine's day."
Holsapple says a purple or lavender rose coveys the feeling of love at first sight. "It means you're excited about them and you're very enthused about them."
Orange roses are popular in Tennessee, especially at Valentine's Day. Their color means passion and enthusiasm.
"White roses are associated with honor, purity and innocence. And it's a wonderful rose to give to someone," Holsapple said.
She adds that white roses are appropriate for a person you respect and honor, like the administrative assistant at the office or someone who works hard and doesn't get a lot of credit.
By giving someone a red rose at Valentine's, what's my message, I asked. "Well you better be serious because that means true love," Holsapple said.
Whatever color rose you give this Valentine's Day, you'll be a hit.
Different shades of pink have different meanings.
"The yellow rose is a year round rose that is popular for weddings for parties, and especially for Valentine's day," Tammy Holsapple said.
Orange roses mean passion and enthusiasm.
"White roses are associated with honor, purity and innocence. And it's a wonderful rose to give to someone," Holsapple said.
Red roses mean true love.
