13 roses in Washington: what makes a rose French and how to choose
13 roses in Washington come in three versions, and two of the three names say French — a technique, not a variety: the florist folds the outer petals back by hand. The choice is simple: white or not, bouquet or box.
French, white or boxed: choosing between the thirteens
White appears in two of the three names, and reflexed petals look different from a closed bud, visible on the grid photo and the photo sent before the courier leaves. Only the boxed version names its format; the others arrive as a hand-tied bouquet.
Thirteen is an odd number; in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and most of the former Soviet Union, odd counts go to the living, even to remembrance, though elsewhere a dozen is usual. If a shade is unavailable, the florist substitutes one close in shade and price, visible on the photo.
How 13 roses reach the recipient
Each bouquet is made after the order is placed, and a photo goes out before the courier leaves — you can ask for changes before the courier leaves. The card is free and can stay unsigned.
Most orders arrive the same day; the exact window is on the bouquet's page, and the delivery page has more. In a vase, roses last about a week, sometimes ten days, if cut at an angle with water changed every day or two.
Want more stems or a different shape? The full rose section has more, and flowers in boxes covers other arrangements.