When you’ve unboxed your beautiful blooms and popped them in the perfect vase, you may notice that some of the outer petals of each flower might not be as perky looking as the rest of the flower. Relax, this is totally normal. In the flower biz they call these ‘guard petals’ – they’re the outer petals of the flower, which guard the bud as the flower is developing and opening. You can remove these guard petals if you fancy, but we love to enjoy our roses in their natural beauty, guard petals included!
What are guard petals?
Guard petals are the outermost petals on a rose and they often look different from the inner petals you see once the flower opens fully. These outer petals are slightly thicker, sometimes darker or less vibrant, and may look a bit “weathered.” This is completely normal and not a sign that your roses are old or damaged.
Should I remove guard petals?
Yes, we recommend removing the Guard Petals when your bouquet arrives. Here's How to remove them: Hold the rose gently but securely. Place your finger or thumb at the base of the outer petal. Gently pull down toward the stem, the petal should come away cleanly.
Removing guard petals won’t harm the rose, in fact, it will make your bouquet look more open and vibrant. Just be gentle when removing them so you don’t accidentally damage the inner petals.
Will removing guard petals help my roses last longer?
Removing guard petals is mainly a cosmetic choice. It doesn’t necessarily make roses last longer, but it can improve the appearance of your bouquet. Caring for roses properly with fresh water, clean vase and flower food has a bigger impact on longevity.