Growing Roses from A to Z: Part I - Types, Selection, and Fascinating Facts

With 10+ years growing ~75 roses on a suburban lot, ARS Consulting Rosarian certification, and two local society memberships, I'm sharing comprehensive rose knowledge in this series. Part I covers types, fascinating facts, and selection basics.

Rose Facts That Surprise

• Roses have existed for 34 million years.
• 100,000+ varieties known historically; 18,000+ commercially available today.
• 50 million rose bushes grown annually in the US.
• Commercial production centered in CA, AZ, TX.
• Most grafted onto vigorous rootstock; "own-root" roses increasing.
• Colors: white, yellow, apricot, orange, red, pink, mauve, russet—with solids, blends, stripes. No true blue or black.

Major Rose Classes

Hybrid Teas & Grandifloras

• One bloom per stem, long stems, medium-tall growth
• Excellent repeat bloom
• Hybrid Tea examples: 'Mr. Lincoln', 'Touch of Class', 'St. Patrick', 'Gemini'
• Grandiflora examples: 'Gold Medal', 'Earth Song', 'Tournament of Roses'
• Note: Grandiflora class created in 1954 from HT × Floribunda cross.

Floribundas

• Clustered blooms, bushy habit, short-medium height
• Strong repeat bloom
• Examples: 'Europeana', 'Iceberg', 'Hot Cocoa', 'Sexy Rexy'

Miniature & Mini-Flora

• Smaller overall, clustered blooms, bushy, short-medium height
• Mini examples: 'Minnie Pearl', 'Giggles', 'Rise 'N' Shine'
• Mini-Flora examples: 'Foolish Pleasure', 'Memphis King', 'Dr. John Dickman'
• Note: Mini-Flora class recognized by ARS in 1999 for intermediate size between mini and floribunda.

Shrub Roses

• Clustered blooms, bushy, short to tall heights
• Excellent season-long repeat bloom
• Examples: 'Sally Holmes', 'Ballerina', 'Abraham Darby'

Climbing Roses

• Clustered blooms, very tall climbing habit
• Need structure; minimal pruning
• Best spring bloom, some late summer repeat
• Examples: 'Don Juan', 'New Dawn', 'Fourth of July'

Polyanthas

• Small clustered blooms, short-medium height, bushy
• Strong repeat bloom
• Examples: 'The Fairy', 'Verdun', 'Marie Pavie'

Old Garden Roses

ARS definition: classes existing before 1867. Subclasses: Alba, Bourbon, Centifolia, Damask, Hybrid China, Hybrid Gallica, Hybrid Perpetual, Moss, Noisette, Portland, Tea. Variable bloom (many spring-only), often intensely fragrant.

• Examples: 'Mme Hardy', 'Sombreuil', 'Henri Martin'

Species Roses (Wild Roses)

• Single petals (4–8), bloom once/season
• Latin names: Rosa or R. (e.g., R. foetida, R. rugosa, R. glauca, R. × alba)

Photos courtesy Dave's Garden PDB and author. Facts from American Rose Society.

Next installment: Choosing, planting, care, diseases, insects, fertilization, and spraying.