Rose Types:
Simplifying Your Choices.

The more common rose types vary considerably. If you have decided to purchase some new rose bushes for your garden, it helps to know something about each type, particularly the growth habit and size, but ultimately you have to like the flower! The color, the scent even the size of the bloom, so that is your starting point.

Now let us look at the most common rose types.

Hybrid Teas
This is what most people think of when talking roses. They are the cut roses that florists sell and the ones found in the majority of bouquets and arrangements. The bushes are 3 to 6 feet high, require a space of about 3 feet and generally have blooms at the end of long stems. They are upright, vase shaped and vary in leaf color. They repeat blooming about every six weeks. Examples include, Double Delight, Mr Lincoln, Liebeszauber and Touch of Class.

Floribundas
These are a similar shape to the Hybrid Teas although they may grow a little taller. The difference is that the blooms grow in clusters and therefore tend to be a little smaller than the Teas. These are best if you want clusters or bunches of blooms on a stem. Varieties include Iceberg, Europeana, Sexy rexy and Lavaglut.

Grandifloras
These are a combination of Floribundas and Teas although a little larger and wider in growth and with a mixture of single bloom stems and cluster bloom stems. Like Teas and Florabundas, they come in most colors. Varieties include Gold Medal, Tournament of Roses and Queen Elizabeth.

Miniatures
These small bushes are usually on their own roots and grow 2 to 3 feet although I have some 4 and 5 feet high! They are very hardy to minus 10 degrees and require a minimum of pruning. Some are bushy and others thin and wiry. They do well in containers and hanging baskets. Supermaket miniatures are not the same as they dont have the same root structure. Varieties include Irrisistible, Rainbows End, Jean Kennealy and Hot Tamale.

Climbing Roses
These are large plants that will grow to 20 feet and require something to grow on. Vertical space is a must. Some have large flowers and most repeat. They come in all colors with some having singular blooms and others having clusters. 'Jacobs Coat' actually changes through three different colors as it matures! Varieties include Dublin Bay, America, Galway Bay and Josephs Coat.

Old Garden Roses
These are roses that existed before 1867 and they come in all sorts of sizes and colors. Most are repeat blooms and many are larger, bushier plants that require some space. You must check with the growers before buying, to work out the final size of these bushes because they vary so much. Most are purchased through mail order or online specialty sources. Varieties include Tuscany, Alba Semi-plena, Baronne Provost and Duchesse de la Malmaison.

Shrubs
English roses and/or David Austin roses come into this group. These are bushy and hardy and have a more fancy, almost fluffy, bloom. They are fairly easy to grow and are freely available. Varieties include Dortmund, Sally Holmes, Pearl Meidiland and Knock out.

Officially there are 35 rose types but we have simplified it to make your selection so much more straightforward. The rose is the most popular of all flowers and the national floral emblem of the United States, so it is important that you make the right choices: choices you can enjoy for the next ten or fifteen years.

www.rose-works.com helping you get the most from your roses.

Dig Around
Try this interesting site for further information on rose types.

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