Rose varieties we work with at Rīgas Ziedi come mainly from Ecuador, Kenya and the Netherlands; one supplier price list carries 168 large-headed rose varieties. This article shows 13 Ecuadorian varieties we photographed at the wholesale market straight in their boxes with the growers'' labels: Mondial, Pink Mondial, Avalanche, Candlelight, Pomarosa, Kahala, Atomic, Nina, Bluez, Be Sweet, Unstoppable, Hot Carpediem and dyed blue roses. All are 50 or 60 cm, 25 stems per box, from the farms Hoja Verde, Azaya Gardens, Garda Export, Naranjo Roses and BellaRosa. We are a local florist in Riga and deliver within 2 hours: roses, rose bouquets, premium roses.
What defines a rose variety
A rose is never just "a rose". Behind every bouquet is a specific variety with its own character: head size from a compact 4 to 5 cm to a large 7 cm and more; stem length and thickness, standard 50 to 60 cm, premium 70 to 90 cm; a stable, recognisable colour; opening speed and vase life, from one week to two. A "red rose" in a shop can be any of at least five varieties with different tones. More than 30,000 varieties are registered worldwide and new ones enter the trade every year.
Ecuador, Kenya or the Netherlands
Ecuadorian roses grow in the Andean highlands at 2,700 to 3,300 m right on the equator: 12 hours of even light every day, warm days and cold nights all year round. The rose grows slowly, so it builds a thick stem and a large, dense head, opens gradually and, with good care, has an incredibly long vase life, up to two weeks and more; it differs from variety to variety, so we note it for each variety below. Kenyan roses have medium heads and the best price for large bouquets. Dutch roses come through the Aalsmeer auction, the journey to Riga is shorter, and Dutch breeding is strong in delicate tones and modern varieties (Red Naomi, Avalanche, Athena). In price lists the origin is next to the name: "EKV." is Ecuador, "SUP" and "EX" are quality grades.
Ecuador's rose farms: numbers and names
Ecuador is one of the two largest rose exporters in the world together with Kenya: in 2024 cut flower exports were around 1 billion US dollars, roughly three quarters of it roses. The main growing areas are Cayambe and Tabacundo north of Quito and Latacunga to the south, all above 2,700 m. The industry is represented by the Expoflores association; most farms are small, under 20 hectares, but there are also large brands with hundreds of varieties. Several of them appear on the labels of our boxes:
- Rosaprima (Guachalá near Cayambe, 2,730 m): growing roses since 1995, starting with 2 hectares; today about 150 varieties and more than 140 ha of greenhouses, Rainforest Alliance certified. Rosaprima varieties are marked "RP" in price lists: Explorer, Cabaret, Deep Purple, Nena, Sweet Akito, Tiffany.
- Hoja Verde: Mondial, Pink Mondial, Avalanche, Pomarosa and Hot Carpediem in our boxes; one of the most common farms at Latvian wholesalers.
- Garda Export: Nina and Bluez, the vivid orange and raspberry varieties.
- Azaya Gardens: Atomic, Kahala and the dyed blue roses.
- Naranjo Roses and BellaRosa: Be Sweet, Unstoppable, Candlelight.
From farm to Riga: roses are cut in the morning, cooled, packed 25 stems to a box and flown via Amsterdam or Miami, reaching Latvia in 3 to 5 days. That is why Ecuadorian roses arrive at the wholesaler dry-packed and are rehydrated for a few hours before sale.
13 varieties from the boxes: photos and notes
Mondial and Pink Mondial
Mondial is the Ecuadorian white classic: a creamy white, very dense head with a greenish outer petal, one of the longest-lasting whites in a vase and the base variety for formal and white bouquets. Pink Mondial is its soft pink version with the same shape. 25 stems of 50 cm per box, farm Hoja Verde.
Avalanche
A white rose with a large, slightly greenish head and a firm stem; Dutch breeding, here grown in Ecuador. Our choice for big white bouquets: 101 white roses Avalanche. 50 cm, Hoja Verde.
Candlelight
A cream-yellow rose with a warm, candle-glow centre; works alone or with peach and white varieties. 60 cm, farm BellaRosa.
Pomarosa
A soft pink, almost white rose with a blush edge, one of the quietest and most elegant varieties; right for gentle bouquets for a mother and pastel arrangements. Available in 50 and 60 cm, Hoja Verde.
Kahala
A peach and caramel rose with a full, garden-rose-like bloom; one of the most fashionable varieties, chosen for autumn and "antique" tone bouquets. 60 cm, Azaya Gardens.
Atomic
A bicolour rose: orange with a yellow centre, very bright, like fire in a bouquet. Good for birthdays and bouquets for men. 60 cm, Azaya Gardens.
Nina and Hot Carpediem
Nina is a bright orange rose with a classic shape, one of the most reliable oranges (60 cm, Garda Export). Hot Carpediem is coral and salmon with a fuller bloom (50 cm, Hoja Verde). Both are the base of our bouquet of orange roses and autumn bouquets.
Bluez
Despite the name, Bluez is a vivid raspberry pink rose with a lighter petal reverse, often called a fuchsia rose. Bright, large-headed, 60 cm, Garda Export.
Be Sweet
A soft pink rose with a large, wide head and long vase life; an all-round variety for pink bouquets. 60 cm, Naranjo Roses.
Unstoppable
A deep red Ecuadorian rose with velvety petals and a large head, an alternative to Explorer and Freedom in red rose bouquets. 60 cm, BellaRosa. Long red roses 50 to 80 cm: exclusive red roses.
Blue roses
Blue roses do not exist in nature. Every blue rose is a dyed white rose, and the label says so openly: "Blue MZ, tinturados" (dyed). The colour is even and stable and the rose lasts as long as an undyed one. We order blue roses from the supplier in advance, it takes 2 to 4 days; write on WhatsApp +371 22022229 and we will tell you the nearest possible day.
Other varieties we work with
From Ecuador also Explorer and Hot Explorer (the red with the biggest head), Freedom, Playa Blanca (white), Deep Purple, Mandala, Moonstone, Quicksand (beige), Frutteto; from the Netherlands and Kenya Red Naomi (the scented red premium rose), Athena (the standard white for 51 and 101 roses), Madam Red, Jumilia, Marie-Claire, Tacazzi; garden-style Country Peonia, Kensington Gardens, Lincoln Park, Mansfield Park. Spray roses are a separate group of 76 varieties. All flower types in one place: types of cut flowers and their names.
Stem length and price
In price lists the length is a code: L4 is 40 cm, L5 is 50 cm, L6 is 60 cm, L7 is 70 cm. A longer stem almost always means a bigger head and a thicker stem, so a higher price. In our shop standard varieties cost 3.60 EUR per stem at 50 cm and 4.00 EUR at 60 cm, long premium roses of 70 cm and more cost more; the product page shows the exact price after you choose the length. Before Valentine''s Day, 8 March and Mother''s Day auction prices rise across Europe.
How many roses in a bouquet
In Latvia an odd number is given to the living: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 15, 25. An even number is a funeral tradition. In big bouquets of 30 to 40 flowers and more the rule loses its meaning in practice, and 51 and 101 roses are celebration numbers: 101 roses. If you are sending flowers to someone in Riga from abroad, this is the one local custom worth knowing.
How to make roses last
Recut the stems 1 to 2 cm at an angle with a sharp knife, remove leaves below the water line, change the water every other day, keep the vase cool and away from sun, radiators and fruit. Well cared for, Ecuadorian large-headed varieties hold their shape for up to two weeks.
Frequently asked questions
Can I order a specific rose variety?
Yes. The common varieties are in our shop at Tallinas iela 83 every day; rarer ones we order from the supplier''s price list within 2 to 4 days. Write the variety in the order notes or on WhatsApp +371 22022229.
Which rose variety lasts the longest?
Ecuadorian large-headed varieties (Mondial, Explorer, Avalanche, Unstoppable) hold their shape for up to two weeks with good care; standard varieties 7 to 10 days.
Are blue roses real?
Blue roses are dyed white roses, the label says "tinturados". Blue roses do not exist in nature. They last as long as undyed roses and we order them 2 to 4 days in advance.
How do Ecuadorian roses differ from Dutch ones?
Ecuadorian roses have a bigger head and a longer, thicker stem and open more slowly; Dutch roses have more delicate tones and a shorter journey to Riga. Both are good, the choice depends on the bouquet.