WABARA Roses

What does WABARA mean? 

Wa is a Japanese cultural concept usually translated into English as “harmony”. It implies a peaceful unity and conformity within a social group, in which members prefer the continuation of a harmonious community over their personal interests. Japanese businesses encourage Wa in the workplace, with employees typically given a career for life in order to foster a strong association with their colleagues and firm. Rewards and bonuses are usually given to groups, rather than individuals, further enforcing the concept of group unity. Bara is the Japanese name for rose,
Hence WABARA!

Where is the rose farm Keiji

The rose farm Keiji is where the WABARA roses are originally bred. A few miles from Kyoto.  

The Kyoto area is a beautiful area in Japan. No matter if you go barefoot across tatami mats in ryokan, sip matcha in centuries-old tearooms, cycle through Arashiyama’s bamboo forest or drink convenience-store beer on the banks of the Kamo-gama, Kyoto is a city you could never get tired of. When visiting Kyoto, now you have another destination for your bucket list, rose farm Keiji! 

The WABARA Collection 

After many years of testing in Japan and trials in Kenya at Uhuru Farms. The WABARA collection has taken the market by storm. Alexandra Farms also grows a selection of these beautiful roses and has recently introduced a beautiful spray rose called Hanna to the market. A very individual brownish colour. 

WABARA roses are still relatively unknown but growing in popularity daily. From the full collection we sell a selection of the best varieties including Tsumugi, Miyabi, Miyabi Cha, Sola, Ioli, Aoi, Mikoto and Hanna. And we have just recently added a beautiful rose called WABARA Issei and isn’t she breath-taking! 

A catch up with Shallima 

Shallima of Lotta’s Floral Studio is deeply passionate about the WABARA rose collection. She recently collaborated on a stunning photo shoot featuring the exquisite WABARA ‘Sola’ rose, shown below.

Based in Bogotá, Colombia, Shallima works closely with Alexandra Farms on various projects and has collaborated with numerous rose breeders. To see more of her work or get in touch, please follow this link.

For this edition of Insight, Shallima spoke with Mr. Keiji Kunieda, the visionary behind the WABARA collection, to share her thoughts and inspiration.

The WABARA collection, created by Mr. Kunieda, reflects the elegance and depth of Japanese culture and aesthetics.

“These are not conventional roses; they are considered flowering plants,” writes Mr. Kunieda. “Unlike ordinary roses, WABARA varieties feature soft blooms, graceful stems, and rich fragrances. Their appearance and colour shift daily—hence, we call them ‘transitional roses’ in every sense.”

As a floral designer, I resonate deeply with this Japanese philosophy. I see the WABARA collection as timeless—roses that can be used beautifully throughout the year.

My designs are inspired by the harmony and serenity found in nature. I seek out sensitivity and imperfection as guiding elements, which in turn help express the vision of WABARA’s creator. Each arrangement becomes a tribute to the dream behind these exceptional roses.

Thanks for reading, we hope you’ll all be rushing to order WABARA roses in the future! If you have any queries or beautiful content please drop us an email at [email protected]

Be back soon!