Celebrated in verse, drama and literature, roses remain a mystery for many of us. Familiarize yourself with this quintessential symbol of beauty and romance.
In all of history, roses are the most written about flower in verse, drama and literature. You’d think with as much that’s been reported we would know more about all the rose varieties available.
Yet, roses remain a mystery for many of us. To help familiarize us with this fanciful flora, I’ve compiled a brief description of each group and even included a few examples of my personal favorites.
Rose families
Antique or Old Roses
These are varieties and selections that were developed by plant breeders prior to the mid-19th century. These types of roses can be found in the lineage of most other rose types. Example: ‘Martha Gonzales’.
Hybrid Tea Roses
Hybrid tea roses are the most popular and probably the most widely grown of all roses. Its featured trait: long, narrow buds that open to large, many petaled blooms. Generally, one bloom per each long stem. Hybrid teas are considered to mid-sized shrubs: average two-four feet tall. Example: ‘Sunbright’, ‘Fragrant’, ‘Mrs. Dudley’s Cross’, ‘Mr. Lincoln’, ‘Olympiad’.
Floribundas
Floribundas are derived and refined from hybrid teas. As the name suggests, floribundas are compact bushes that have multiple flower clusters on medium-length stems that flower throughout the summer. Many find them the easiest roses to grow. Example: Knockouts, ‘Chihuly’, ‘Cinco de Mayo’, ‘Easy Does It’.
Grandifloras
Grandifloras are upright and larger – four-six feet tall – than either the hybrid teas or floribundas. They also tend to bloom continuously. Example: ‘Veterans Honor’, ‘Sweet Surrender’, ‘Old Blush’, Carefree Beauty.
Miniatures
These are much smaller versions of the forementioned groups, growing less than two feet tall with proportionally small blooms. Just because they are miniature do not consider them weak. They are very hardy. Consider them for containers and borders. Examples: ‘Marie Pavie’, Marie Daly.
Climbing Roses
Climbing roses must have support from trellises, arbors or fences for them to thrive. Climbing roses are either continuous or seasonal bloomers. Some homeowners make the mistake of purchasing a seasonal bloomer and then complaining for the rest of the year. Examples: ‘Don Juan’, Lamarque’, ‘Lady Banks’, ‘Sea Foam’.
Shrub Roses
Growing upright and broad, shrub roses are hardy, low maintenance shrubs that grow any where from five to twelve feet in height depending on the variety. Flowers may be single, semi-double or double. Some types bloom only in the spring; other bloom continuously during the growing season. Example: Mutabilis.
Earth-Kind Roses
Earth-Kind roses have been researched and selected by a team of experts for their hardiness, consistent floral display and low maintenance. Example: Belinda’s Dream.
For proper rose planting and maintenance, check out our rose maintenance section. There’s also a pruning demonstration video, if you prefer.
