So Rosy

A rose is a rose is a rose. Unless, of course, it is a supersize rose from the London-based florist OnlyRoses, which claims that its blooms last longer than any other roses on the market. Let’s just say that if they are good enough for Madonna- a regular who has ordered fresh-cut bouquets to beautify her dressing room backstage at London’s O2 Arena and romantic, loosely tied arrangements for a secret garden themed party to celebrate her birthday at London’s Mr. Chow restaurant- they’re good enough for us. Other clients include Simon Cowell, Colin Cowie, and Tamara Ecclestone as well as luxury brands Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Hermès, Chanel, Dior, Cartier, and the Four Seasons and Mandarin Oriental hotels. Design duo Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana reportedly order the roses on repeat as personal thank- you gifts.

Husband-and-wife owners Anian and Sabine Schmitt- who debuted OnlyRoses in London in 2007- relocated from Dubai to Brentwood and launched their first U.S. boutique in Beverly Hills in August. They consider OnlyRoses to be more of a luxury gifting brand than a florist where their store concept is more like walking into a Prada or Cartier boutique. So, what is the secret behind the company’s long-lasting roses? The flowers are sourced from three to four farms in the Andes mountains near Quito, Ecuador, where there is rich, volcanic soil and the elevation and proximity to the equator form a consistent climate year-round that’s ideal to grow roses. And then they are shipped directly to stores. In addition to the fresh-cut classic roses, the brand offers fresh-looking, naturally preserved InfiniteRoses that can last several months, up to a year without water. And in a city like Los Angeles, it’s always a good thing to be well-preserved. www.only-roses.com