Roses are a huge and diverse group of plants grown for their attractive flowers. There are many species and varieties with different characteristics. We will take a brief look at these in this document.
Species Roses
Species roses are the plants found naturally in the wild. Most have only simple flowers with 5 petals.
Shrub roses
Shrub roses is a catch-all term given to encompass several less common rose types including: Eglantine, Hybrid Musk, Rugosa, Spinossima, Polyantha and others
Landscape Roses
A relatively new class of Rose is the landscape Rose. Their common trait is they are tough, easy to grow, low maintenance and quite disease resistant. They are marketing under brands like ‘Flower Carpet’, ‘Meidiland’, ‘Bonica’, ‘Oso Easy’ and others
Climbing Roses
Climbing Roses grow vigorously vertically and can be used to cover walls, trellises, arbors and other supports. They produce large, long, arching canes that need to be affixed to a structure for them to truly “climb”
Miniature Roses
Miniature roses are a novelty that resemble their larger cousins in every way except size. Many grow well in pots, planters and a can even be grown indoors under the right conditions.
Old Roses
Old Roses are defined as those in existence prior to 1867. This term encompasses several rose groups/varieties including: alba, Bourbon, Centrifolia, China, Damask, Gallica, Hybrid Perpetual, Noisette, Portland, Tea and others.
Alba Roses
Blooms once in a season with an upright growth habit. Foliage is dense The plant is very hardy and disease resistant
Bourbon Roses
Bourbon roses are repeat blooming, taller plants with fragrant blooms that appear to be in “quarters”
Centifolia
A once blooming fragrant species that produces 100 petals per flower
China
China roses are shorter, with weaker stems. Clusters of flowers bloom repeatedly. Fragrance is spicy
Damask Roses
Damask Roses are known for their intense, heavy fragrance. Some are known to be repeat blooming
Gallica Roses
Small busy plants produce once blooming, fragrant flowers in a variety of brilliant colours
Hybrid Perpetual
Mid-sized rose species featuring fragrant, usually pink or red repeat blooms
Moss Roses
Small to medium sized plants produce mossy growth on peduncle and sepals. Repeat blooming and fragrant
Noisette Roses
A tall, large rambling rose with large, repeat blooming clusters of blooms. Very fragrant
Portland Rose
A smaller repeat blooming rose plant with short peduncles. Fragrant
Tea Roses
Tea roses are small to medium sized with weak stems that hold up large flowers. Some can climb. Most are fragrant and repeat-blooming
Modern Roses
Hybrid Teas
Hybrid Teas are the most popular type of modern roses. They produce the best cut flowers for the single blooms produced on long stems. Available in many colours. First introduced in 1945 with the release ‘Peace’ in 1945, although earlier varieties were said to have begun around 1867
Floribundas
The second most popular type of modern rose, only behind the Hybrid Tea. Floribundas are the result of crossing polyanthas and hybrid teas. They are known for producing large clusters of mid-sized flowers that bloom all season long. Great for long lasting, colourful displays in your garden.
Grandifloras
Grandifloras came into existence in the 1950’s with the release of the variety ‘Queen Elizabeth’. They were bred to blend to hardiness and clusters of flowers of the Floribundas with the beautiful flowers and long stems of the Hybrid Teas.
English Roses
English Roses are the result of crossing old garden roses with modern ones like Hybrid Teas and Floribundas. The resulting hybrids feature great fragrance and many petals with repeat blooming behaviour, vigour and hardiness. The most popular of the English Roses are those grown by renowned UK breeder David Austin.
Tree Roses
Tree Roses aren’t a class or species on their own, rather they describe the shape or form of the plant. They were grown with single stem rather than multiple canes. Foliage has been trained to form the shape of small tree rather than a bush