Rose Mandala® – An All-Rounder in Floral Design

A interview with Kazi Hafijor Rahman Sagar. He is a Floral Designer & Event Planner at Ivy Flowers & Chocolates in Bahrain. He won the Master Florist Amaryllis Challenge 2023.

Rose Mandala® is what I like to call an all-rounder. It is a long-lasting, slightly fragrant, garden-type rose with a mesmerizing presence. Its rich pink tones open into a perfectly symmetrical flower, and the velvety texture makes it unforgettable in any floral setting. I am very thankful to Thursd, De Ruiter Innovations, and Kikwetu Flowers for choosing me to work on their beautiful Mandala® roses.
When I first saw them, I was struck by the head size and the overall beauty of the variety. It inspired me to work on a series of mono designs to represent their elegance and versatility—proof that  Rose Mandala® is fit for all occasions and event floral designs.
One of the first designs I created was a bouquet of 99 Mandala® roses. This is not just a striking visual statement, but also a meaningful one. In the language of flowers, 99 roses symbolize “I will love you forever” or “I want to grow old with you.” When crafted with Mandala® roses, the gesture feels even more sincere because of the harmony and balance in their form.
The bouquet carries a sense of both luxury and intimacy, making it an unforgettable gift.
A Three-Meter Dining Table With Roses and Arabian Fruits
For a different setting, I created a three-meter dining table arrangement using 45 Mandala® roses. The roses were paired with traditional Arabian fruits such as dates, figs, melons, and kiwi. This design merged the richness of roses with the abundance of seasonal fruits, creating an atmosphere of celebration.
The soft fragrance of the roses blended beautifully with the sweet notes of the fruits, giving the table an inviting, almost ceremonial aura. It was a reminder of how roses can elevate hospitality and bring people together around the table.
Following current trends in floral presentation, I arranged 50 Mandala® roses in a round box design. To give it a modern edge, I incorporated grapes as decorative fillers. The deep pink roses contrasted well with the natural tones of the grapes, creating a lush, contemporary arrangement.
This style is versatile—it works as a chic gift, a corporate centerpiece, or even as an accent in modern home interiors. The round box trend emphasizes compact beauty, and Mandala® roses proved to be a perfect fit for it.
Finally, I designed a full, classic round arrangement with 100 Mandala® roses in a ceramic vase. To accompany it, I paired the roses with oud, representing the long tradition of rose-oud perfumes in their raw, natural form. The design not only highlighted the fragrance of the Rose Mandala® but also connected it to cultural traditions of scent and luxury. This arrangement was an exploration of how flowers and fragrance come together to tell a deeper story.
Through these designs, Rose Mandala® has proven itself to be a rose of many faces. Whether it is romance, celebration, modern style, or cultural expression, Mandala® adapts seamlessly. Its durability, fragrance, and symmetry make it a variety that florists can rely on for diverse contexts. Working with it was both inspiring and rewarding, and I am excited to see how many more stories it will tell in the hands of floral designers worldwide.
Rose Mandala® is becoming a popular choice for growers across the world. South America, Eastern Europe, and Kenya/Ethiopia have this rose already in production year-round.