With Easter around the corner, the demand for yellow flowers, including yellow roses, is on the rise. This is also true for United Selections' yellow rose varieties Rise & Shine, a standard rose, and Golden Blossoms, a spray rose. In addition to the Easter surge, Fidelis Mwendwa, Marketing Assistant, has noticed a growing trend in the use of yellow in bouquets year-round. So, what is driving the increased demand for these two varieties, and what makes them so special? Mwendwa explains in this article.
© United Selections Team United Selections with Rise & Shine
Yellow roses
Easter remains the most important event for yellow roses, both spray and standard. However, Mwendwa observes that yellow is becoming an increasingly popular color for bouquets, a growing trend that shows no signs of slowing down.
© United SelectionsThe Blossoms series including Golden Blossoms. On the right: Golden Blossoms in the greenhouse.
Golden Blossoms and Rise & Shine
So, what makes these varieties so special? Mwendwa explains: "Both maintain their vibrant yellow color when fully open and have an excellent vase life."
Golden Blossoms is a yellow spray rose that was commercially introduced in 2018. It is part of their Blossom Series range, boasting more than five uniform buds, a vase life of over 15 days, and good versatility in floral arrangements. "Growers appreciate the high bud count per stem, long stems, uniform opening, short flush cycle, and the fact that it retains its yellow color as it opens."
Rise & Shine is a standard yellow rose that was introduced more recently, in 2023. It has a 5+ cm head size, a vase life of over 10 days, and according to Mwendwa a cheerful, bright color that is perfect for any occasion, especially the upcoming Easter season. "Growers particularly value its good pack rates, high production, long stem length, intense color, and reduced sensitivity to pests and diseases."
Both varieties are grown across the globe, primarily in Africa and Latin America, and are mainly exported to Europe, but are also finding their way to the Middle East.
© United SelectionsGolden Blossoms
Increasing demand
How has the demand for these varieties developed over the years? Mwendwa: "The demand has been growing steadily and quickly because both growers and the market have not been satisfied with existing yellow varieties. These older varieties are difficult to grow and manage after harvest. However, with the strengths of these two new varieties, growers are more confident about successfully cultivating this important color."
Throughout the year, United Selections organizes various open days at different locations to highlight these varieties, and the feedback on these varieties has been overwhelmingly positive. Mwendwa continues, "These varieties have won the hearts of growers and consumers due to their excellent performance, vibrant colors, and practical features, such as high yields and fewer thorns, which make handling easier."
Open Days
When talking about open days, why, where, and when do they take place? "Our open days reflect the values we hold dear, such as innovation, collaboration, and customer focus. At United Selections, we are committed to producing high-quality, high-yielding, and sustainable rose varieties, bred with an understanding of both grower and consumer needs. Our goal is to be a market-driven leader in breeding, and this approach has earned us a great deal of appreciation during previous events, such as the Nakuru Open Day, where we welcomed more than 150 visitors, the Naivasha Open Day in February, and the Ecuador Open Day in March."
During the Ecuador Open Day, breeder Paul de Bruin joined the event and received firsthand feedback from clients. "The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, as clients particularly admired these two varieties, among many others in our assortment. Moments like these reinforce our mission to maintain short communication chains and build direct relationships with growers, ensuring we remain a customer-focused breeding company."
In Colombia, the Open Days took place from April 1-3 and looking ahead, United Selections will present her roses at Keukenhof in the Netherlands, from April 3rd to 8th, 2025.
For more information: 
Fidelis Mwendwa
United Selections
Email: fmwendwa@united-selections.com
www.united-selections.com