Rose Gardening -Selecting Roses

Wondering which rose types to grow? With hundreds of varieties including hybrid teas, climbers, David Austins, shrub roses, miniature roses, grandifloras and floribundas, how do you make a decision on which rose is right for your garden? 

Start with the basics. Roses need a minimum of six hours of full sun in order to grow and bloom properly. Roses need a bed of their own, away from trees, shrubs and perennials that compete for sunlight, space and nutrients. Roses need space. They don’t do well when crowded together.  Roses need well-amended soils in order to establish strong root systems and achieve vigorous growth and bloom potential. With these factors in mind, selecting a rose bush becomes a question of purpose. Are you looking to augment your current rose collection; start a rose garden; replace a lost or damaged rose bush; add color and fragrance to your garden; build support for local pollinators? There is a variety of rose bush that will fill some, if not all of these goals including hybrid teas, floribundas, grandifloras, climbers, shrubs and even tree roses.  When we think of roses, it’s the hybrid tea variety that most often comes to mind. 

Hybrid tea roses represent an amazing pallet of color and fragrance, such as the rose pictured here: Chris Evert.  Depend on hybrid tea roses to bloom consistently throughout the summer season. 

Grandiflora roses are very similar to hybrid teas. They tend to be taller and bloom in clusters rather than one rose per stem. Like all roses, grandifloras will attract pollinators. This is Strike it Rich. 

Floribunda roses such as Hot Cocoa, are valued for their ability to bloom continuously. 

If you want to cover an arbor or trellis, choose a climbing rose, such as Fourth of July. David Austin roses are fragrant English roses that grow on their own roots. Our annual Rush for the Roses event is an excellent opportunity to learn more about each rose type and how different varieties will add value to your landscape. This year’s Rush for the Roses is Saturday April 20, beginning at 8 am.