While there are native roses found on nearly every continent, most landscape types of roses are multi-generational hybrid cultivars for which the original species ancestors have long since been forgotten. When you buy a modern rose variety, it is almost always sold by a unique cultivar name rather than by a species name.
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. There are thousands of hybrid tea roses that have been bred, with new introductions constantly replacing outdated varieties.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 flowers that are equally compact, 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 fragrance. Climber/rambler roses: This last category includes roses from any class that are 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 in order 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. Here are 15 different types of roses—with their common and botanical names and pictures—to try in your garden.
USDA Growing Zones: 6 to 11Height: 5 to 6 feetSun Exposure: Full sun
USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 11Height: 3 to 5 feetSun Exposure: Full sun
USDA Growing Zones: 6 to 11Height: 3 to 4 feetSun Exposure: Full sun
USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 11Height: 4 to 5 feet; can grow taller in warm climatesSun Exposure: Full sun
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USDA Growing Zones: 6 to 11Height: 3 to 5 feetSun Exposure: Full sun
USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 11Height: 4 feetSun Exposure: Full sun
USDA Growing Zones: 6 to 11Height: 5 to 6 feetSun Exposure: Full sun
USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 9Height: 3 to 4 feetSun Exposure: Full sun
USDA Growing Zones: 6 to 11Height: 2 to 3 feetSun Exposure: Full sun
USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 9Height: 3 to 4 feetSun Exposure: Full sun
USDA Growing Zones: 2 to 9Height: 2 to 4 feetSun Exposure: Full sun
USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 11Height: 4 to 5 feetSun Exposure: Full sun
USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 9Height: 3 to 5 feetSun Exposure: Full sun
USDA Growing Zones: 7 to 9Height: 3 to 5 feetSun Exposure: Full sun
USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 9Height: 2 to 3 feetSun Exposure: Full sun
