Roses: Everything You Need to Know Roses: Everything you need to know. Good looks, divine scent, beautiful cuttings and ,depending which variety you chose, a wonderfully long flowering season, the rose offers an abundant sensory experience. Fantastic as gifts and a universally known symbol of love. Roses seem to tick all the boxes but with over 100 species and thousands of variety they can feel complicated plants to understand. Continue reading to learn everything you need to know about roses and how to select the right one for you! What are Roses? Roses are woody perennials with stems that don’t die back in winter. They are either shrubs, ramblers or climbers. They are one of the most popular and widely cultivated groups of flowering plants, known for their beauty, fragrance, and variety. Shrubs Shrub roses are a diverse category of roses known for their robust growth, hardiness, and prolific blooming. They tend to have a bushy, rounded shape and can range in size from compact to sprawling. Shrub roses often produce clusters of flowers and can bloom continuously throughout the season, making them a popular choice. They are generally low-maintenance, disease-resistant, and well-suited to a variety of climates. The Rose Felicia, is a vigorous grower and can reach a height of up to 5 feet, making it an excellent choice for garden borders, hedges, or as a standalone specimen. Its hardiness and disease resistance further enhance its appeal, making ‘Rose Felicia‘ a favourite shrub among gardeners. Climbers Climbing roses produce long, arching canes that can be trained to grow along structures such as trellises, arbores, fences, or walls. These roses are known for their vigorous growth and ability to cover large areas with abundant blooms. Unlike true climbers, climbing roses do not have tendrils or suckers to attach themselves to surfaces, so they need to be secured and guided manually. The Cecile Brunner, a popular example of a climbing rose known for its delicate, small, soft pink blooms and sweet, spicy fragrance. Blooms prolifically in the spring and can repeat later in the season. It is renowned for its hardiness and ability to thrive in various climates; a popular choice for those seeking a charming and fragrant climbing rose. Rambling Rambling roses are a type of rose known for their vigorous growth and ability to produce long, flexible canes that can cover large areas quickly. These roses typically bloom once a year, usually in late spring or early summer, and produce abundant clusters of small to medium-sized flowers. Unlike climbing roses, which can bloom repeatedly, ramblers are noted for their single, spectacular bloom period. They are ideal for covering pergolas, fences, walls, and trellises, and are often used to adorn large spaces with their cascading blooms. Old Rose Hybrids Old rose hybrids, also known as heritage or antique roses, are varieties that were popular before the introduction of modern roses in the late 19th century. These roses are celebrated for their strong fragrance, charming and often complex flower forms, and their historical significance. Typically they have a natural, romantic appearance and are known for their hardiness and disease resistance. Old rose hybrids can range from compact bushes to large, sprawling plants, making them versatile for various garden settings. The ‘Gertrude Jekyll’ is a beloved variety of Old Rose Hybrid known for its large, double blooms with a classic rosette shape and rich pink colour. They are highly fragrant, exuding a strong, old rose scent that is often considered one of the best among roses. The ‘Gertrude Jekyll’ is vigorous and can be grown as a shrub or trained as a short climber, reaching heights of up to 8 feet. It blooms prolifically in the spring and can repeat later in the season. With its robust growth and disease resistance, an ideal choice for adding a touch of historical charm and intense fragrance to your garden. Hybrid Tea Roses Hybrid Tea roses are a popular class of roses known for their large, well-formed blooms and long, sturdy stems, making them ideal for cutting and floral arrangements. These roses typically produce a single blossom per stem and are prized for their elegant appearance and wide range of colours. Hybrid Tea roses combine the best qualities of their parent varieties, offering both the hardiness of hybrid perpetual roses and the refined beauty of tea roses. They are often considered the epitome of the classic rose shape. The ‘Special Anniversary‘, celebrated for its stunning, large, and fragrant blooms that are typically a vibrant pink. has a high-centred form and is particularly noted for its exceptional beauty and strong fragrance. It makes an excellent choice for commemorating special occasions and is well-suited for gardens and floral displays alike. This rose variety, like other Hybrid Teas, thrives best with regular care and maintenance. How to Chose a Rose When choosing the right rose for you it’s best to first establish what you want it to do. If you want to use is in a border or planter then a shrub rose will be well suited, so long as you consider its eventual size and shape. If you’re looking to cover a wall or pergola then a climber or rambling rose would be recommended, be sure to chose a variety for the scale of the job. Mostly the ‘right’ rose will be down to personal preference of colour, scent and shape and with so many to choose from you might be spoilt for choice. BACK TO ARTICLES
