New Arrivals in Karlovy Vary

New arrivals in Karlovy Vary: forever roses under glass and fresh bouquets

Among the new arrivals in Karlovy Vary are forever roses in glass domes, in red, powder pink, white, purple and blue. They last for years; the fresh bouquets beside them last only days. Choosing between them starts with one question: how long should the gift last?

Forever roses under glass: what they are and how long they last

A forever rose starts as a real rose, cut the moment it opens. Growers replace its sap with a glycerine-based solution, and dye in it gives the domes their red, powder pink, white, purple or blue colour. The petal stays soft and pliable rather than brittle, keeping the shape it had when cut. A dome rose lasts one to three years, closer to the top under glass. Keep it indoors, away from sun and water, since the colour fades; dust with a soft, dry brush.

Fresh bouquets among the new arrivals

Ecuadorian roses in the selection grow high in the Andes, around 2,800 to 3,000 metres, where days run close to twelve hours all year. In the vase, one usually lasts about a week, sometimes nearer ten days. Peonies, in the northern hemisphere, come from the Netherlands, France, Germany and Britain from late April into June, and last five to seven days. One tote pairs lilac, cut in May in the northern hemisphere, with a wrap of eucalyptus.

Before a courier sets off, the florist sends a photo of the bouquet. Delivery timing is shown on each card, and the delivery page has more detail.