Kustovie Rozi (Spray Roses): What Our Customers Ask in the Shop
Kustovie rozi (kustovye rozy in standard transliteration) are spray roses: roses that grow several small flowers and buds on a single branched stem. A florist cuts one stem and gets what looks like a miniature bouquet, with blooms 3-5 cm across at different stages of opening.
At Pyat Tsvetov we have run flower shops in Saint Petersburg since 2011, and spray roses are one of the flowers customers ask about most, both at the counter and by phone from abroad. This article collects the questions we hear every week and the answers our florists give, from 'how many stems do I need' to 'why did one bud not open'.
'Is this a rose or a different flower?'
This is the first question many visitors ask when they see a bucket of spray roses next to long-stem roses. It is the same plant family, but grown differently. For classic cut roses, the grower removes side buds so the stem carries one large head; for spray roses, the side shoots are kept, and the stem branches into five, eight or even twelve flowers. The Russian word 'kustovaya' comes from 'kust', a bush, because the stem looks like a small flowering shrub.
The flowers themselves are smaller and the stems shorter, usually 40-60 cm. What you gain is volume and movement. A bouquet of nine spray rose stems can hold more than fifty flowers and buds, and it looks relaxed and garden-like rather than formal. Customers who find a dozen long red roses too ceremonial often leave the shop with spray roses instead.
'How many stems do I need?'
We always suggest counting stems, not flowers. Three to five stems make a small posy that suits a thank-you, a visit to a friend or a desk at work. Seven to eleven stems form a proper round bouquet for a birthday or an anniversary. From fifteen stems upward, the bouquet becomes a statement and needs a wide, heavy vase so it does not tip over.
For gifts in Russia, keep to an odd number of stems in small and medium bouquets. Even numbers are traditionally brought to funerals and cemeteries, and many older people still notice. In very large bouquets nobody counts, so the rule relaxes. With spray roses this is easy to follow, since even five stems already look generous.
Remember that the bouquet gets fuller after delivery. On the first day perhaps half the buds are open; by day three or four most of them have unfolded. If you want the bouquet to look its best on a specific date, for example a jubilee dinner, order it a day earlier and let it open at home.
Bouquets we can deliver
'Which colour should I choose?'
Customers usually start with the occasion, but we find it more useful to start with the person. Soft pink, peach and cream spray roses suit mothers, grandmothers and teachers; they read as warm and grateful. White works for weddings, christenings and the birth of a child. Deep red and burgundy are for romance, while coral, orange and bright pink suit a lively friend or a colleague's celebration.
Some varieties are so popular that people ask for them by name. Lydia is a lilac-pink spray rose with neat, cup-shaped flowers. Bombastic has round, peony-like cream-pink heads. Two-tone varieties with darker edges look striking in a small bouquet. Availability changes with the season, so if a particular variety matters, call us and we will tell you what can be done.
A practical note from the counter: pale spray roses show every bruise, so they look best when delivered quickly and put in water straight away. Darker shades are more forgiving if the recipient comes home late. For a man, customers often choose deep burgundy or white spray roses with plenty of greenery and no ribbons, which looks restrained and elegant.
'What goes well with spray roses?'
Spray roses are team players. Our florists pair them with eustoma (lisianthus) for a soft, romantic bouquet, with chamomile-style chrysanthemums for a cheerful country look, and with eucalyptus or pistachio leaves when the customer wants greenery and a fresh scent. A few stems of gypsophila make a white spray rose bouquet look light and airy, which brides like.
In box and basket arrangements, spray roses fill gaps between larger flowers and soften the outline. That is why you will find them in many mixed bouquets in our bouquets catalogue, even when the name of the bouquet mentions another flower. If you want spray roses to be the main flower, choose a mono bouquet, where the stems are gathered in a round dome or a loose hand-tied shape.
Seasonal additions work well too. In spring we add tulips or ranunculus to spray roses; in summer, peonies or field-style flowers; in autumn, small chrysanthemums and berries; in winter, conifer sprigs and cotton. Ask on the phone what is in season when you order, and our florists will suggest a combination that suits the recipient.
'Why did one bud not open, and how long will they last?'
Spray roses in a vase normally stay attractive for 7-10 days. The smallest, greenest buds on each stem sometimes stay closed; this is normal, as the stem directs water to the larger flowers first. Do not pull them off early, because many of them open on day four or five once the first flowers have faded and been removed.
Care is simple. Cut 1-2 cm off each stem at an angle with a sharp knife, strip leaves that would stand in water, and use a clean vase with cool water. Change the water every one or two days and trim the stems again. Spray roses drink a lot, so top up the vase in the evening, especially in a heated flat in winter.
Keep the bouquet away from radiators, direct sun and the fruit bowl. Ripening fruit gives off ethylene, which makes petals drop sooner. When single flowers fade, snip them off at their small side stem; the bouquet stays neat, and the remaining buds get more water. In the last days, cut the stems short and put the best flowers in a low glass.
'Can I order spray roses from abroad?'
Yes, and a large share of our spray rose orders come from customers outside Russia. You choose a bouquet on the site, enter the recipient's address and phone number, write the card text and pay online. We accept bank cards, SBP and Yandex Pay, and foreign bank cards are accepted too, with payment processed via Robokassa.
City delivery costs 500 RUB; for remote districts and suburbs the operator confirms the price when confirming the order. In large cities, express delivery takes 1-2 hours after confirmation. You can also set an exact time (plus or minus 30 minutes), pick a window of 09-12, 12-15, 15-18 or 18-21, or pre-order 1-30 days ahead. In Saint Petersburg we deliver around the clock, which helps when you are ordering from a very different time zone. Full conditions are on the delivery and payment page.
Delivery is anonymous by default, so the courier does not say who sent the flowers; sign the free card if you want to be recognised. The courier calls the recipient about 15 minutes before arriving. If nobody is home, we agree a second delivery the same day or, with your consent, leave the bouquet with a neighbour or concierge. For any question about a bouquet or an order, call us on 8 (812) 507-67-05.
Frequently asked questions
What are kustovie rozi?
Kustovie rozi, or kustovye rozy, is Russian for spray roses. Each stem carries several small flowers and buds instead of one large head.
How long do spray roses last?
Usually 7-10 days in a vase if you trim the stems, change the water every day or two and keep them away from heat and fruit.
How many spray rose stems should I give?
Three to five stems for a small gift, seven to eleven for a birthday bouquet. Keep to an odd number in small bouquets, as even numbers are associated with funerals in Russia.
Can I pay with a foreign card?
Yes. Foreign bank cards are accepted, with payment via Robokassa. Bank cards, SBP and Yandex Pay are also available.
Do you deliver spray roses at night in Saint Petersburg?
Yes, in Saint Petersburg delivery is around the clock. In other large cities you can choose express delivery, an exact time or a time window.
Ready to send a bouquet?
Pick a city, choose the flowers, and we will hand them over with a photo confirmation.
Choose a city →