Joy, Gladness,
Friendship, Delight, Promise of a new beginning, Welcome Back, Remember
Me, Jealousy, "I care"
Yellow with Red Tip
Friendship, Falling in
Love
Orange
Desire, Enthusiasm
Red and White
Given together, these
signify unity
Red and Yellow
Jovial and Happy
Feelings
Peach
Appreciation,
Closing the deal, Let's get together,
Sincerity, Gratitude
Pale
Peach
Modesty
Coral
Desire
Lavender
Love at first sight,
Enchantment
Orange
Enthusiasm, Desire,
Fascination
Black
*
Death, Farewell
Blue *
The unattainable, the
impossible
Green
Peace, Spiritual Rejuvenation, Calm, and
Fertility
* These roses do not
actually exist in nature. They are created artificially.
Roses by Type
Single
- any color
Simplicity, Gratitude
Red Rosebud
Symbolic of purity and
loveliness
White Rosebud
Symbolic of girlhood
Thorn-less Rose
Love at first
sight
Roses by the Numbers
A single rose
of any color depicts utmost devotion
Two roses
entwined together communicate "Marry me"
Six Roses
signify a need to be loved or cherished
Eleven roses
assure the recipient they are truly and deeply loved
Thirteen
roses indicate a secret admirer
The Different Varieties of Roses
Roses are one of the most classic, timeless garden plants. But when
the Rosa genus offers over 300
species and several thousand varieties created over the centuries, where
do you begin? With so many different types of roses, how can you decide
on a rose bush for your own backyard garden and landscaping?
Each rose
variety features its own unique characteristics and features. Some roses
offer gorgeous continuous blooms that keep a garden looking lovely from
spring to fall, while others are incredibly straightforward to maintain
and offer cane-like rambling stems.
With all the
rose classifications and countless hybrids defined by the American
Rose Society, Jackson & Perkins offers this helpful guide to
distinguish the different types of roses available to plant in your
garden or surrounding landscape. Here is the ultimate guide to exploring
each one.
The 3 Main Rose
Categories
While there are
many varieties of roses, most rose specialists would divide them into
three categories: Old Garden Roses, Wild Roses and Modern Roses. Most of
what you’ll find today in gardens are considered Modern Roses, which
were bred to bloom large blooms continuously throughout the season,
unlike an Old Garden Rose.
Old Garden Roses
Often referred
to as “antique” roses and “historic” roses, the
Old Garden Rose has been around since before 1867. Double-flower
blooms emit a notably strong-scented fragrance, but they only bloom once
per season, unlike Modern Roses. Since they are a time-tested variety,
Old Garden Roses have evolved with the advantage of being extra hardy
and disease-resistant.
Wild Roses
Considered the
wildflower type of rose, Wild Roses, or “species roses,” lack the
cross-breeding history and hybridization of other modern varieties. Wild
Roses typically have a single bloom with a five-petal flower. The
easiest way to determine a Wild Rose is in their color–they’re almost
always pink! In fact, it’s an anomaly to find a red or white Wild Rose. A
yellow Wild Rose is super rare.
Modern Garden Roses
As you browse
Jackson & Perkins’ extensive rose collection, Modern Garden Roses are
more likely what you’ll find. Modern Roses were bred after 1867, taking
the place of heritage Old Garden Roses. As mentioned above, there are
certain distinctions between the two. Where Old Garden Roses bloom once
per year, Modern Roses offer a continuous bloom, as well as a larger
bloom size. Florists and homeowners will love Modern Roses for their
longer vase life, too. The only disadvantage to these Modern Roses is
that they typically lack a robust heady fragrance and are less hardy and
disease-resistant.
Specific Rose
Varieties
Within these
three main categories listed above are a countless variety of roses.
However, below are some of the more common ones you can find, along with
their benefits and unique blooming features.
Climbing Roses
Climbing roses are not a class, but more of a description. In other
words, you may find grandiflora or floribunda climbing roses. Despite
the name, climbing roses can’t quite climb as efficiently as vines. Also
referred to as “rambling” roses, they have sturdy and upright (sometimes
arching) canes, which can be trained when provided support. However,
these canes can grow up to 15 feet, which reach great heights along a
trellis wall, garden fences and arbors and pergolas. In general,
climbing roses tend to produce more flowers when grown horizontally
rather than vertically like most rose varieties. Producing large blooms,
almost all climbing roses are repeat bloomers.
Hybrid Tea Roses
Hybrid tea roses are one of the most popular classes of roses, and
it’s not hard to understand why. With bountiful, ornate blooms that
sprout from long stems and reach anywhere from 30-50 petals, the hybrid
tea rose creates a dazzling display in any garden. And horticulturists
have had quite the field day with them, breeding thousands of hybrid
varieties. Outdated hybrids make way for the new on a constant basis.
Grandiflora Roses
Regarded as a
subgroup class of hybrid tea roses with floribunda features, the grandiflora
rose was created in the last century. The perfect combination
between the two, grandifloras present elegant showy blooms that appear
in clusters like the hybrid tea rose, and a constant growth cycle like
that of the floribunda. Each cluster also consists of three to five
blooms. Overall, their shrubs are larger and stand taller than hybrid
teas. While not as popular as its close cousins, the grandiflora is
still quite hardy and vigorous, so don’t overlook it for your garden and
landscaping.
Floribunda Roses
Floribunda roses are another favorite rose class. Similar to
grandifloras, a floribunda rose presents a large cluster of flowers.
With a continuous bloom, it will last much longer than the six- to
seven-week cycle of hybrid tea roses or grandiflora roses. Floribundas
are also much easier to care for and offer practically a hands-free
experience.
Polyantha Roses
Similar to
floribunda roses, the polyantha rose plant is shorter with smaller
blooms. While this may not be suitable for some backyard landscapes,
polyantha is perfect for edgings and hedges. It’s not unusual to find
these rose bushes completely covered in clusters of their small flowers
with a prolific bloom that lasts from spring to fall. Polyantha roses
also come in a variety of hues and colors, such as bright whites, lovely
soft pinks and bright reds. A hardy rose, polyantha has remained a more
popular option for novice gardeners and horticulturists due to their
low-maintenance and disease-resistant qualities. Grow them in a small
garden space or even in a container.
Miniature Roses
A form of the
hybrid tea or grandiflora rose, miniature
roses and miniflora roses are typically shorter and a bit more
compact. Miniature roses can grow anywhere between 15-30 inches, whereas
a miniflora rose offers intermediate-sized blooms closer to the size of
a floribunda.
Shrub Roses
Shrub roses tend
to sprawl wide and large, anywhere between five and 15 feet in every
direction. Able to withstand harsh winters, shrub roses are notable for
their cold hardiness. In addition, their blooms are produced in
bountiful clusters.
Shrub roses have several subcategories, one of which is the David
Austin English Rose, which fits within the shrub rose category.
Groundcover Roses
Groundcover roses, also known as “landscape” roses, are a rose
variety bred to have the best of all worlds: a beautiful garden rose
with a vibrant color, graceful formation and lovely fragrance, as well
as a low-maintenance benefit. Groundcover roses are perfectly suited as
a space filler, allowing them to sprawl outward as they reach no higher
than three feet. As a whole, groundcover roses are both disease- and
pest-resistant and offer continuous flowering. One of the best
low-maintenance roses, these are ideal for novice rose growers and
gardeners.
Alba Roses
As one of the
oldest garden roses dating back to 100 A.D., alba roses are a hybrid
style that offers tall, graceful bushes with cool-tone blue-green
foliage. Their blooms, which perk up once around the late spring/early
summer time frame, can often be found in pale pinks and crisp whites.
One of the hardiest rose varieties, alba roses are disease-resistant,
easy-to-maintain and can be planted and grown abundantly in both shade
and colder climates.
Bourbon Roses
First introduced
in France on the Île Bourbon in 1817, Bourbon roses are thought to be a
cross between China roses and Damask roses. Bourbon roses feature
wonderful full blooms, which can be found in a variety of hues and
shades of white, pink and red. Bourbon blooms also lend a strong, heady
fragrance, but not as pungent as the drink itself. Grow a Bourbon rose
bush near a trellis and train it to climb and adorn the space with
repeated blooms all season long.
Centifolia Roses
Centifolia
roses, also known as “cabbage” roses, have blooms that, well, resemble a
cabbage head. In other words, they have thin petals that tightly
overlap, offering a unique texture. Sometimes, you may come across
“Provence” roses, which are similar, named after the section of France
where they were once grown.
Centifolia roses
can be found in a variety of colors, such as white and pink. Their
blooms often grow so large and proliferous that they weigh down the stem
and appear to droop and nod off to sleep. With an exceptionally lovely
scent, this specific rose variety is often used as an essential oil in
perfumes and fragrances. However, enjoy it while it lasts because it
only blooms once in early summer.
English/David Austin Roses
More commonly
called David Austin roses after the British rose breeder, these roses
come in hundreds of varieties. Quite popular among consumers and
retailers alike, these rosette-shaped roses have the scent of an Old
Rose variety, and also a continuous blooming as well as a broad range of
colors like that of Modern Roses. David Austin roses are for more
experienced growers and gardeners, as they are susceptible to diseases
and less hardy, which takes more maintenance and attention.
China Roses
A more exotic
variety, China roses were introduced to the Western world in the late
18th century. As a complex group, this unique rose has benefited from
hybridization immensely. China roses often emit a lovely fragrance and
present compact and bushy blooms that come in various colors, such as
bright reds, soft pinks and cheery yellows.
One of the most
significant advantages of this hybrid rose lies in its resistance to
diseases and its ability to have repeated blooms from summer to late
fall. The one drawback to China roses is that their silky petals are
quite delicate, needing protection during colder months and climates.
The best way to grow these petite roses is in a small container, which
you can bring inside at the end of the warm season.
Damask Roses
Damask roses are
considered some of the most ancient roses, even originating in Biblical
times. They are so old that there are two varieties: the Summer Damask
and Autumn Damask, blooming in each season, respectively. The only
difference is that the Autumn Damask (also called the four seasons
damask) offers two blooms, both in the summer and fall. Damask roses
come in a wide variety of colors, from bright silvery whites to deep
pinks. Like the centifolia, Damask roses give off an exceptionally
fragrant scent, which is extracted and used as an essential oil in
perfumes and other scented items.
Gallica Roses
Like the Damask
rose, gallica roses are quite ancient. Some varieties even date back to
the 12th century. Sometimes called the French or Provins rose, gallicas
offer a lovely scent, which is used for perfumes. More notably, this
rose’s unique petals have been used for antibacterial, astringent and
tonic medicinal purposes.
In addition,
gallica roses are found in many shades, such as pinks, reds, purples and
even with a two-tone white stripe. Sadly, their beautifully layered,
tightly clustered blooms can only be seen once during the summer. A
hardier Old Garden Rose variety, gallicas are tolerant of shady areas
and colder climates.
How to Plant and Grow Roses
Learn how to plant and grow the easiest rose varieties for the best
blooms all season long.
One of the most popular flowers in the world is the rose, with over 100
species, primarily native to North America. Roses are prized for their
many colors, and some have beautiful scents. The sizes of rose blooms
range from small and compact to large and lush. Nearly all rose
varieties have thorns. Are roses perennials? Yes, and these perennials
are excellent additions to home landscapes.
The three main types of roses are shrubs, climbers,
and ramblers. Shrubs are suitable for gardens and borders, climbers are best for
camouflaging walls or adding color to outdoor structures, and ramblers are
suited for groundcover and to give a garden a more natural look.
Roses are sometimes considered difficult to grow and care for since they
require regular pruning and maintenance. While that may have been true
for roses before, in recent years, roses have been bred and cultivated
to be easier for gardeners to manage.
Where to Plant Roses
To get roses off to a great start, plant
them in the proper growing conditions. All roses grow best in full
sun with moist, well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Roses prefer slightly
acidic soil (6-7 pH).
Shrub roses are available to grow all over the country. If you live in a
part of the country where it’s cold and windy, let
the plant go dormant when the ground freezes in the winter.
If you’re planting roses along a walkway or near a patio where you’ll
sit, choose blooms with a scent to add to your enjoyment.
How to Plant Roses
Plant roses after
the last frost in the spring or at least six weeks before
your average first fall frost. By planting early in fall, the roots
have enough time to be established before going dormant for the winter.
Dig a hole big and wide enough to fit the entire root system—roses don’t
like to be crowded. Also, plant rose bushes at least 3 feet apart to
allow for growth.
Bare-Root Roses
Bare-root roses are available in early spring and are sold as a set of
roots packed in peat moss or similar material that holds moisture well.
It’s best to purchase bare-root roses when they’re dormant or just
beginning to grow since they can require a long time to take off. It’s
easy to order these roses to be delivered inexpensively, so you can add
multiple roses to your landscape at a low cost.
Container Roses
Container-grown roses are typically a little more expensive than
bare-root roses, but they’re easier to plant. Like other perennials or
shrubs, you can plant them in the spring, summer, or fall. However, it
is best not to plant them in extreme heat because it puts too much
stress on the plant. Start by digging a hole about twice as wide (but no
deeper) than the rose’s pot. Take the rosebush out of the container and
loosen the roots. Spread roots out if they’re growing in circles around
the root ball. Place the roots in the hole and fill with soil, making
sure to water well after you plant it.
Fragrant Roses
Aside from their beauty, gardeners love fragrant
roses to fill their gardens with sweet scents all season long. The
breathtaking aroma is why roses are often used in perfumes.
Unfortunately, when other factors came into rose breeding, such as
disease resistance, hardiness, and ease of planting and growing,
sometimes attention to fragrance took a back seat. Fortunately, that’s
not the case anymore, as intense fragrance is just as important as other
characteristics.
Easy Elegance ‘Yellow Brick’ rose has a beautiful classic fragrance,
while ‘Knock Out’ roses have a faint floral smell. Take a sniff at the
nursery to see which fragrance combination appeals to you most.
Rose Care Tips
The easiest roses to grow are shrub roses with excellent disease
resistance, low-maintenance needs, and summer-long blooms. Many newer
roses have been bred to need less maintenance and attention.
Make sure your roses get at least six to eight hours of direct sun a
day; if they receive less light, the plants won’t bloom well and will be
more susceptible to attack from pests and diseases. While some roses may
tolerate partial shade better than others, no roses like full shade.
Soil and Water
Once you’ve dug the appropriate-size hole for the roots so you can plant
your roses, make sure to add the right supplements. Your soil may need manure
or organic compost for your plants to flourish. Also, if the ground
is clay or is packed tightly, loosening it up about a foot deeper than
the hole helps with drainage.
After planting your roses, water
them well, especially if you plant them in the summer when they’re
most susceptible to drying out. Keep watering them for the first few
weeks in your garden. Watering them deeply is important, as this
encourages their roots to extend farther down in the soil, where it
stays moist longer.
Use a soaker hose to water—it’ll keep the leaves dry, which helps your
roses resist disease. Wet leaves can play host to diseases that
make foliage fall off the plants.
Temperature and Humidity
Roses have some trouble with very high heat and humidity. When it’s very
humid, the steamy air may mean they need less water, so keep an eye on
them to see if they’re drooping before adding water. High temperatures
can also bring pests that can damage your flowers.
If you live in a northern region, you will probably need to protect
your roses during winter. No matter which method you use, wait until
the soil has frozen: You want to keep the plants frozen all winter, not
protect them from the cold.
Check out some common methods to use:
Mulch: Cover rose canes with several inches of loose mulch,
such as weed-free straw, pine needles, or wood chips. Adding
mulch to your roses is essential for keeping your plants happy and
healthy.
Rose cones: Protect roses with foam cones. First, mound
soil over the rose crown, then cover the entire plant with the cone.
Next, cut a few ventilation holes in the cone and anchor it so it
won’t blow away during winter windstorms.
Containers: If you’re growing roses in containers, move them to
a sheltered spot, such as an unheated garage, storage shed, or cool
basement over the winter.
Fertilizer
If your garden is blessed with rich soil or you regularly amend it with
compost or other forms of organic matter, you probably won’t need to feed
your plants. However, if you’re cursed with poor soil or are growing
roses in containers, fertilizing can be helpful. In most cases, all you
need is a general-purpose garden fertilizer. Be cautious; when it comes
to fertilizer, you can have too much of a good thing. Over-fertilization
may cause your roses to produce fewer flowers and suffer root injury, or
even kill the plants.
Because roses in containers can’t reach farther into the soil to find
more nutrients, they depend on you to feed them. One easy solution is to
use slow-release plant food. You need to apply it just once or twice a
season, and it’ll feed your plants for months.
Pruning
Pruning keeps your rosebushes lush, healthy, and constantly blooming.
Most gardeners prune
roses in the early spring when the leaves start to bud. Although
it’s not necessary to prune every year, you should prune to keep your
shrub rose the ideal size. A full-grown shrub rose, for example, could
be pruned down to 10 or 12 inches and then left alone to sprout back and
rejuvenate itself to gain more blooms.
As you prune roses, keep in mind that you want the plants to grow with
an open center so air can flow freely through the plant; this will also
keep your rose from looking like a crazy mess of branches. As you do
this, cut out any dead branches and small, weak canes. Remember: Some
classic heirloom roses take a lot of complicated pruning, but newer
shrub roses are bred to be as low maintenance as possible.
One of the big perks of shrub roses is that they bloom continuously,
keeping in flower all summer and until frost. Unlike old-fashioned
roses, shrub roses don’t need much deadheading.
The spent flower head can be kept on the plant with little consequence
because the design of newer rose varieties is low-maintenance. If you
want your roses to look better or to help prevent disease issues and
encourage more blooms, cut faded rose flowers back to the nearest leaf.
Potting and Repotting Roses
Potting and repotting roses in containers can keep plants growing for
many years as long as you repot them when they get too big for their
containers. The process of potting and repotting roses is similar to
planting them in the ground. The best types of roses for potting are
miniature and groundcover. Climbing roses won’t do well when potted.
Pests and Problems
As with most plants and flowers, roses have some natural enemies you can
manage, but there are also bigger problems to look out for.
Deer: Despite their prickly thorns, deer love to munch on
roses. A barrier is the best way to keep deer from your prized
rosebushes, but if that’s not realistic, an
odor-based repellant can do the trick.
Rosette disease: This is a serious problem that spreads
throughout regions. If you suspect this is a problem in your garden,
contact Roserosette.org for advice and help.
Black Spot, Powdery Mildew, and Downy Mildew: These are the
three most common diseases that afflict roses. There are treatments
for these problems and others that rose growers may encounter.
How to Propagate Roses
The best plants to use when propagating
roses are relatively new ones with less woody stems that can be
easily cut. You’ll need to be patient, both with successfully
propagating from cuttings and with the time it takes for new plants to
grow. It can take a few months for roots to grow and a few years for the
plant to flourish.
Types of Roses
‘Knock-Out’ Rose
‘Knock Out’ roses come in a variety of colors and are known for
their long bloom times; they bloom all summer and last until fall. The
roses come in a medium-sized shrub and are almost as wide as they are
tall, so they look fantastic planted in a big bank along a fence. They
also look good sprinkled among other perennials or shrubs. ‘Knock Out’
has a faint floral smell.
‘Drift’ Rose
‘Drift’ rose is a newer variety of shrub rose that grows tiny roses.
‘Drift’ roses are also suitable as a groundcover
rose because they are thick and wide and can cover a good amount of
space. These roses are also great incorporated into a flowerbed of
herbs, annuals, and perennials.
‘Easy Elegance’ Roses
‘Easy Elegance’ roses are known for their fragrance and easy-care
qualities. These roses are bred to be disease-resistant and able to
stand up to weather extremes. A sunny spot in the garden and minimal
care are all these plants need to look their best. Easy Elegance ‘Yellow
Brick’ rose has a beautiful classic fragrance.
Rose Companion Plants
Roses do well with other plants that love full sun.
Heliotrope (Heliotropium): A
sweet-scented flower with purple or blue blooms.
Lantana (Lantana): A
sun-loving flower with small buds that attract birds. It comes in many
colors.
Verbena (Verbena): An
annual that grows well in containers.
Roses also thrive among herbs and aromatics such as ornamental and culinary
sage (Salvia), and
scented geraniums (Pelargonium).
Frequently Asked Questions
Why isn’t my rosebush blooming?
Sometimes, roses don’t bloom
because they’re not getting enough sunlight. Make sure no shade
covers your roses during at least six hours a day.
Take a look at the fertilizer you’re using. Too much
nitrogen can encourage roses to produce greenery
instead of blooms. Use a fertilizer specifically for
roses for the best results.
If your roses look unhealthy, they may be infected
with a disease that needs treating. Talk to a garden
expert at your local home store to see if they have
suggestions.
Can you grow roses indoors?
Yes, you can. In the past, most potted roses were
miniature varieties, but now it’s possible to grow
many roses indoors, provided there’s enough light,
and they get consistent care and attention.
Plant roses indoors in January or February, when the
plants are dormant. Water them daily or every other
day, and fertilize regularly. The best indoor
temperature for roses is between 60°F and 75°F
degrees. If your home has dry air, a plant
humidifier is a good idea.
What can I train climbing roses on?
Climbing roses can grow
quite big, so a sturdy trellis or a wall are the best options.
When is the best time of year to transplant roses?
Transplant a rose when it is dormant and the soil is
workable—either in the fall or early spring.
