Cross of roses tall floral order to fill

It's 700 roses and counting for Dale Wroble, but he's still seeking perfection.

"Does that look better?" the design manager at Aberdeen's Wedding Flowers asks.

"It's getting there," co-worker Audrey Layer replies.

The two step back and scrutinize an enormous cross that dominates the workroom at the Chicago florist.

Standing 8 feet tall, the cross is covered with 650 white and champagne-colored roses. Cascading over the center are 100 blood-red roses.

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In less than 24 hours, the floral sculpture will gladden the hearts of parishioners at Christ Church in Des Plaines Easter morning.

"It's bringing to life the story of the resurrection," the Rev. Virginia Ericson said.

"We go from a bare, life-size cross on Good Friday to this most gorgeous cross."

Aberdeen's owner Jim Harney has donated a floral cross at Easter to his Christ Church congregation for 35 years. It's a way he can combine his love of flowers and devotion to his church.

The design has evolved from simple, white-carnation-based themes to exotic flowers from all over the world in 2007.

In this year's version, the white roses represent Christ's purity and red roses the blood he shed during the crucifixion, Harney said.

Following Easter services at 7 a.m. and 9:30 a.m., the cross and a smaller one composed of flowers contributed by the congregation will be displayed outside the church at 1492 Henry Ave.

"We want to share the story of the resurrection with the community," Ericson said.

Wroble's mother is a driver at Aberdeen's, and he grew up helping out at the florist shop.

"When I was younger, he (Harney) wouldn't let me touch the cross. How times have changed," he said.

The workroom at Aberdeen's is a cool 65 degrees, perfect weather for arranging flowers.

Working diligently Friday and Saturday, Wroble and Layer, a floral designer from Deerfield, cut each of the 750 roses and encased them in vials of water that will keep the buds fresh for a week.

Then, the stems are pushed into Styrofoam lining the cross and the entire sculpture is sprayed with a preservative.

One concern the designers have is ensuring the display pops out at viewers.

"Some roses we open by hand so it looks a little different -- so it's not so clean," Layer said.

"We want it to be more 3-D," Wroble explained.

The two spent eight hours laboring over their creation Friday and four more hours Saturday, but it's a project they cherish each year.

"It's for our Lord," Wroble said. "It doesn't feel like work -- it's going to a good cause."