July 3, 2002
Woodbury Bulletin
Betsy Halden

Kinds of Roses

Many gardeners enjoy growing roses. I have grown hybrid tea roses in containers on the deck so I could cut the blooms and have them in the house. I enjoy our Carefree Beauty hardy shrub roses every day they are in bloom. But if you go to a nursery or garden store to buy a rose plant(s), the array of classes of roses to choose from can be overwhelming. Here is a short summary of rose classes that may help you make a selection.

HYBRID TEA roses have large, classic beautiful flowers in a wide variety of colors. The blooms are usually carried individually on long sturdy stems, sometimes in cluster of 3 to 5. Hybrid teas have two main flowerings, usually in June and September. Different varieties range in height from 2 to 6 feet. In our Zone 3 – 4 winters it is necessary to use the Minnesota tip method to overwinter hybrid teas.

GRANDIFLORA roses combine the features of the hybrid tea and floribunda roses. The plants are generally tall and can grow up to 6 feet. The flowers resemble hybrid tea blooms but are smaller and are produced in smaller clusters on long stems.

FLORIBUNDA roses are a popular because of the massive displays of color the plants produce. The plants are generally loaded with blooms throughout the growing season. The flowers are smaller than hybrid tea blooms. Flowers are produced in bouquet-like clusters. The plants grow 2 to 4 feet tall. Most plants are disease resistant and hardy.

CLIMBER roses grow long arching canes of 6 feet or more and can be trained on supports. The color range and flower size vary greatly. Climbers may be ever-blooming or single blooming each year. Climbers usually require two growing seasons to reach their best form. Some varieties have problems surviving our winters. Be sure you read the tag and see if the plant is hardy for Zone 4 winters and if it needs winter protection.

MINIATURE roses are dwarfs of hybrid teas, floribundas and other classes of roses. They are grown on their own root system. The plants grow as little as 5 inches for the micro-minis to the more common 12 – 24 inches. The flowers are in proportion to the plant size. Many miniatures are hardy but they may need winter protection in our area.

HARDY SHRUB roses are popular in our area. Many are resistant to pests and diseases. They require little winter protection and many have two periods of blooms. Most gardeners in our area have their favorites. Two of my favorite hardy shrub roses are “Carefree Beauty” and “Nearly Wild.” They are disease-resistant and they bloom all summer.

There is an informative University of Minnesota Extension Yard & Garden Brief “Hardy Roses” that gives good information about selection and culture of hardy roses. You can access it at www.extension.umn.edu and enter hardy shrub roses in the search box. Additional helpful publications are available on the Extension Service website.

You might be interested in visiting the rose garden at the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chanhassen. The Arboretum conducts research and trials on roses hardy for our climate.

Betsy Halden is a resident of Woodbury. She consulted Cornell Cooperative Extension and the University of Minnesota Extension Service materials when preparing this column. You can reach Betsy Halden at eahalden@comcast.net