15 Types of Roses to Consider for Your Garden (2024)

Gardening

Flowers

Roses

From wild species to cultivars, grow these popular roses in your outdoor space

David Beaulieu

David Beaulieu is a landscaping expert and plant photographer, with 20 years of experience.

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Updated on 03/09/23

Reviewed by

Kathleen Miller

Reviewed byKathleen Miller

Kathleen Miller is a highly-regarded Master Gardener and horticulturist with over 30 years of experience in organic gardening, farming, and landscape design. She founded Gaia's Farm and Gardens,aworking sustainable permaculture farm, and writes for Gaia Grows, a local newspaper column.

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Warning

Many types of roses have thorns (technically these pointy projections are called prickles) that can make handling them difficult. Always wear protective gardening gloves when handling this plant.

Categories of Roses

The characteristics of a particular rose type can only be fully understood by considering the rose class in which it falls. There are many ways to classify roses. For instance, the types of roses can be broken down by color and their blooms. Many experts split the various rose types into three categories: modern roses, old garden roses, and wild roses. But the American Rose Society uses the following categories:

Hybrid tea roses: This is one of the most popular types of roses, which feature large ornate blooms with 30 to 50 petals budding off of long stems. Thousands of hybrid tea roses have been bred, with new introductions constantly replacing outdated varieties. And they are one of the most common rose types to see in landscaping.
Grandiflora roses: This class can be regarded as a subgroup of hybrid tea roses, and thus it is another of the most popular types of roses. This type of rose is often very tall, with blooms that appear in clusters rather than individually on the stems.
Floribunda roses: Next to hybrid teas and grandifloras, this is the next most popular rose type. Like grandifloras, a floribunda rose bears its flowers in large clusters. But this type blooms continuously, whereas hybrid teas and grandifloras tend to bloom in six- to seven-week cycles. Floribundas also tend to be much easier to care for than hybrid tea and grandiflora roses, making them one of the best varieties of roses to grow.
Polyantha roses: This category is similar to floribunda, but the plants are shorter and the blooms are smaller. Polyanthas are often used for edgings and hedges.
Miniature rose and miniflora roses: A "miniature" rose is essentially a shorter, more compact form of hybrid tea or grandiflora rose with equally compact flowers usually growing to no more than 15 to 30 inches tall. A "miniflora" rose has flowers of intermediate size, smaller than a floribunda but larger than a miniature.
Shrub roses: Roses in this category are easily recognized by their sprawling growth habit. They can grow from 5 to 15 feet in all directions. And they are notable for their cold hardiness and vigorous production of flower clusters. There are several subcategories within this group. An important one is the David Austin English Rose category, which includes varieties that resemble old garden roses with recurrent blooming and pleasant fragrances.
Climber/rambler roses: This last category includes roses from any class that is characterized by long, arching canes that can be trained onto fences, trellises, arbors, and pergolas. They are not really a class unto themselves. Thus, you can see a grandiflora rose described as a climber. Climber or ramblers are not clinging, twining plants; they must be tied to their vertical supports to grow upward. Many climbers and ramblers are quite cold-hardy when compared to hybrid roses.

When considering a rose, understand in which classification it falls, as this will provide important information on its growth habit and other traits. There are many characteristics to consider when choosing the best rose for your landscape or garden. There is color, of course, but also fragrance, plant form, hardiness zones, disease resistance, and more.

15 Types of Roses to Consider for Your Garden (4)

Tip

Most roses grow quite well in warm climates, roughly zones 7 to 11. But when you shop for roses, you might find that a rose lists only a single hardiness zone. A rose rated for zone 5, for example, is understood to be suitable from zone 5 to zones 10 or 11. However, when a rose has heat limitations, it will usually carry a full zone range, such as "zones 5 to 8." If you don't see a range of zones, you can assume that the rose is suitable down to the southern end of the USDA zone map.

Here are 15 different types of roses—with their common and botanical names and pictures—to try in your garden.

How to Grow and Care for Rose Bushes

01 of 15
'About Face' (Rosa Grandiflora 'About Face')

This orange grandiflora rose has bicolor petals with long stems and rich green leaves. This rose's lighter color of deep golden yellow is carried on the inside of the petals, with a darker bronzy orange-red backside. This is a good disease-resistant rose with a fragrance that is said to smell like fresh apples. Blooms can be as much as 5 inches across; the plant has a good rebloom pattern.
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 6 to 11
- Mature Size: 5 to 6 feet
- Light: Full sun
- Soil Needs: Well-drained, enriched
02 of 15
'Bonica' (Rosa 'Bonica')

'Bonica' is a shrub rose that bears light-pink flowers on a plant with the typical bushy growth habit. It flowers repeatedly from spring to fall, with fragrant blooms that are 2 to 3 inches across. This is a very dependable plant in cooler climates.
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 11
- Mature Size: 3 to 5 feet
- Light: Full sun
- Soil Needs: Well-drained, rich
03 of 15
'Cherry Parfait' (Rosa Floribunda 'Cherry Parfait')

'Cherry Parfait' is a floribunda rose that has atwo-tone petal color scheme with white petals edged with red (red is the dominant color from a distance). It has dark green leaves. This rose has a relatively bushy habit. The blooms are 2 to 3 inches across.
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 6 to 11
- Mature Size: 3 to 4 feet
- Light: Full sun
- Soil Needs: Well-drained, fertile
04 of 15
'Teasing Georgia' (Rosa 'Teasing Georgia')

'Teasing Georgia' is a David Austin shrub rose, advertised as yellow but can end up looking more apricot in color. It is a repeat bloomer with small clusters of large cupped flowers that stretch 4 to 5 inches across. It has good resistance to disease and a strong fragrance.
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 11
- Mature Size: 4 to 5 feet; can grow taller in warm climates
- Light: Full sun
- Soil Needs: Well-draining, rich
Continue to 5 of 15 below
05 of 15
'Easy Does It' (Rosa Floribunda 'Easy Does It')

This medium-size floribunda rose has large 4- to 5-inch blooms that blend orange, pink, and apricot hues. The flowers are double, ruffled petals, and they have a mildly fruity aroma. This plant has a bushy growth habit and is fairly disease-resistant.
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 6 to 11
- Mature Size: 3 to 5 feet
- Light: Full sun
- Soil Needs: Well-drained, humus, rich
06 of 15
'Falstaff' (Rosa 'Falstaff')

See Also
Pink Roses: History, Types and Meanings | Florgeous
'Falstaff' is a David Austin English shrub rose featuring large 4- to 5-inch dark crimson-red flowers that bloom continually. It is regarded as one of David Austin's best rose types. It has the typical strong fragrance of an English shrub rose and a good rebloom cycle.
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 11
- Mature Size: 4 feet
- Light: Full sun
- Soil Needs: Well-draining, rich
07 of 15
'Tahitian Sunset' (Rosa Hybrid Tea 'Tahitian Sunset')

'Tahitian Sunset' is a hybrid tea rose with magnificent apricot-pink bi-color flowers that are up to 6 inches across and bear a faint anise smell. It is a good disease-resistant hybrid, with semi-glossy, dark-green leaves. And it blooms repeatedly from spring to fall.
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 6 to 11
- Mature Size: 5 to 6 feet
- Light: Full sun
- Soil Needs: Well-drained, enriched
08 of 15
'Rainbow Knockout' (Rosa 'Rainbow Knockout')

'RainbowKnock Out' is a shrub rose with the classic single flowers that are common to species shrub types of roses. Unlike many shrub roses, it has an excellent rebloom cycle. The flowers, which appear in clusters, are coral with yellow centers; the foliage is dark green and semi-glossy. 'Rainbow Knock Out' has the typical hardiness of species shrub roses—it is fully resistant to black spot, powdery mildew, and rust.
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 9
- Mature Size: 3 to 4 feet
- Light: Full sun
- Soil Needs: Well-drained, fertile
Continue to 9 of 15 below
09 of 15
'Julia Child' (Rosa Floribunda 'Julia Child')

The 'Julia Child' rose was personally chosen by the award-winning chef with coloration she described as "butter gold." It has very shiny leaves, with full flowers up to 3 1/2 inches across, smelling of sweet licorice. It is a disease-resistant shrub with a full, bushy growth habit. The flowers appear in small clusters; the plant has a good rebloom pattern.
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 6 to 11
- Mature Size: 2 to 3 feet
- Light: Full sun
- Soil Needs: Wide range, well-drained
10 of 15
'Mardi Gras' (Rosa Floribunda 'Mardi Gras')

The 'Mardi Gras' multicolor floribunda rose has a festive coloring that is a mix of orange and pink with a bit of yellow. The bloom begins as an apricot-orange bud that slowly spirals open to reveal a 2- to 3-inch bright pink and orange bloom with a yellow base. This disease-resistant rose has dark green leaves and a peppery fragrance. It has a bushy growth habit that can work well for hedges.
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 9
- Mature Size: 3 to 4 feet
- Light: Full sun
- Soil Needs: Well-drained, loamy
11 of 15
'Morden Fireglow' (Rosa Floribunda 'Morden Fireglow')

This floribunda rose has blooms falling somewhere between orange and reddish color. It has double, cupped flowers and matte (non-glossy) leaves. This rose type has good cold hardiness and a mild fragrance. It makes for good cut flowers.
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 2 to 9
- Mature Size: 2 to 4 feet
- Light: Full sun
- Soil Needs: Well-drained, fertile
12 of 15
'Pat Austin' (Rosa 'Pat Austin')

The copper 'Pat Austin' is one of the David Austin types of roses. It isnamed after David Austin's wife. The double-cupped flowers stretch 4 to 5 inches across and have a tea-like scent.
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 11
- Mature Size: 4 to 5 feet
- Light: Full sun
- Soil Needs: Wide range, enriched
Continue to 13 of 15 below
13 of 15
'Wild Blue Yonder' (Rosa Grandiflora 'Wild Blue Yonder')

'Wild Blue Yonder' is a grandiflora rose that starts as a mauve or reddish-purple (it is advertised as lavender) flower and ends up with a deeper color. It never morphs into a true blue rose. It is a repeat bloomer with medium-sized (2 to 3 inches across) flowers that appear in large clusters. The fragrance is quite strong with a hint of citrus.
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 9
- Mature Size: 3 to 5 feet
- Light: Full sun
- Soil Needs: Well-drained, loamy
14 of 15
'Elle' (Rosa Hybrid Tea 'Elle')

'Elle' is a good choice for those seeking a happy medium between a shocking pink rose and a pink rose with washed-out color. It is relatively compact for its class. This hybrid tea rose is ever-blooming with very large 4- to 5-inch flowers with a strong fragrance. The rose will have a scent of citrus and spice when in full bloom.
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 7 to 9
- Mature Size: 3 to 5 feet
- Light: Full sun
- Soil Needs: Well-draining, enriched, sandy
15 of 15
'Frankly Scarlet' (Rosa Floribunda 'Frankly Scarlet')

'Frankly Scarlet' is one of the rose types belonging to the JP Ultimate Collection. It is a repeat bloomer with dark green leaves. This is a fairly short floribunda rose bush with 2- to 3-inch flowers that have a pleasant, spicy fragrance.
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 9
- Mature Size: 2 to 3 feet
- Light: Full sun
- Soil Needs: Well-drained

There is no shortage of rose classes and cultivars to fit your growing zone and gardening skills. As long as you have a spot with full sun and well-draining soil for most roses, they should thrive.

Rose cultivar names are often trademarked labels that are proprietary to the company selling the rose. But you might be able to find the same roses sold under different names from other suppliers. Online resources, such as the National Gardening Association's Plant Database, can provide you with other names by which the plant is sold.

If you're interested in roses and want to find other fragrant flowering shrubs, check out lilacs and Korean spice viburnum.

The Best Companion Plants for Roses

The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Rosa 'Radcor' Rainbow Knock Out. Missouri Botanical Garden.

15 Types of Roses to Consider for Your Garden (2024)

Warning

Categories of Roses

Tip

'About Face' (Rosa Grandiflora 'About Face')

'Bonica' (Rosa 'Bonica')

'Cherry Parfait' (Rosa Floribunda 'Cherry Parfait')

'Teasing Georgia' (Rosa 'Teasing Georgia')

'Easy Does It' (Rosa Floribunda 'Easy Does It')

'Falstaff' (Rosa 'Falstaff')

'Tahitian Sunset' (Rosa Hybrid Tea 'Tahitian Sunset')

'Rainbow Knockout' (Rosa 'Rainbow Knockout')

'Julia Child' (Rosa Floribunda 'Julia Child')

'Mardi Gras' (Rosa Floribunda 'Mardi Gras')

'Morden Fireglow' (Rosa Floribunda 'Morden Fireglow')

'Pat Austin' (Rosa 'Pat Austin')

'Wild Blue Yonder' (Rosa Grandiflora 'Wild Blue Yonder')

'Elle' (Rosa Hybrid Tea 'Elle')

'Frankly Scarlet' (Rosa Floribunda 'Frankly Scarlet')

References