Plants like roses complement virtually any garden design, from rustic traditional cottages to contemporary outdoor spaces. But with over 30,000 varieties to choose from, it can feel overwhelming to pick the right rose for your garden, and know the difference between a hybrid or floribunda rose.
Here, with the help of Julian Palphramad, head of plants at British Garden Centres, I explain the different types of roses and how to choose the best type of rose for your garden.
Hybrid tea roses
Known for their beauty and scent, hybrid tea roses have large, single flowers that are often 3 to 5 inches in diameter. Palphramad explains that because they bear tall, pointed buds on long stems, they are ideal for cutting.
These roses are also free-branching and upright, and are perfect for planting in beds and borders. What’s more, hybrid tea roses are moderately hardy and will generally thrive in USDA zones 5 through 9.
Floribunda roses
Rather than producing single stems like hybrid roses, floribunda roses produce clusters of flowers at the ends of their stems. “The looser blooms make them a great garden display, but they aren’t as good for vase arrangements,” Palphramad says.
He adds, “Standard roses —the ones grown on top of a long trunk — are most commonly the Floribunda type and bloom from early summer all the way through to early winter.”
Shrub roses
Shrub roses are a popular choice if you are looking for a low-maintenance rose. “They produce large clusters of ‘old rose’ flowers that bloom from summer to fall, and many are fragrant,” says Palphramad.
They take on a natural, spreading form that grows into a rounded or arching shape, and are a good choice for informal hedging and mixed borders.
“Modern shrub roses are often bred from old-fashioned roses for repeat blooms, disease resistance, and a variety of colors,” Palphramad adds.
Ground cover roses
I never think of roses as creating ground cover, but Palphramad says this type creates a “spreading carpet of color and gives roses a whole new level of versatility in the garden.”
And he adds, “As long as they have plenty of sun, they’ll provide masses of rose flowers for most of the year and can be used in borders, cascading over walls and rockeries or spilling from large containers.”
Climbing roses
Climbing roses produce abundant blooms on just one spreading plant. “They can transform the facade of a house, a fence, or even a shed wall as long as they get ample sunlight,” says Palphramad.
And he explains that most hybrid tea roses and multiflora roses also come in climbing varieties. However, climbing roses will need some support, as he says their branches need to be level.
Miniature roses
Even if you have a tiny outside space, you can still grow roses, as miniature types are perfect for patios and sunny balconies. Aside from their size, they offer just as much as a full-size version.
“Miniature roses are perfectly proportioned, dwarfed versions of their larger siblings, with all parts scaled down. They look super cute planted in garden containers or arranged in rows to fill window frames or planters,” says Palphramad.
You can also find them as standard stems, grafted onto 15-24-inch-tall stems. What’s more, they are easy to care for and full of blooms.
How to choose the best rose for your garden
If you’re working with a patio, balcony or small terrace, Palphramad recommends growing miniature, patio and floribunda roses, as they perform well in containers. For a border, wall or pergola, a climbing, rambling or groundcover variety will spread and fill the space beautifully.
And of course, if fragrance is the reason you love growing roses, make this your priority and choose a variety for its aroma. Hybrid tea roses, ‘Double Delight’ and ‘Mister Lincoln’, are favored for their beautiful scent.
If your plan is to cut your roses to display in a vase, choose a hybrid tea rose, as it flowers on a single stem. If you’re keen to add height to your garden, a climbing rose will add a cascade of blooms.
You may also want to consider how resilient the rose is to pests and when and how long it blooms. What’s more, if you’re looking for a show-stopper, you’ll want to find a big bloomer in a standout color.
Consider your growing conditions
But whatever you’re looking for in a rose, for it to succeed, you’ll need to consider the growing conditions and location.
For the best results, roses need at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight each day, and they will thrive in well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.5. You can rebalance the soil, if needed, by adjusting its pH, improving drainage and adding organic matter.
The best rose for your USDA zone
Location is also key when choosing a rose. Here's a mini guide to what does well and where.
USDA zone 4: Plant cold-hard varieties, such as shrub roses. Although they will need mulching and winter protection.
USDA zones 5-8: Most roses will perform well in these regions.
USDA zones 9-11: Roses are delicate to grow in these hot regions. Opt for a rose that is hardy and disease-resistant.
Don't forget to keep your roses well watered
For roses to be successful, whatever zone you live in, they’ll also benefit from deep, slow watering. What’s more, when planting, they should be spaced sufficiently apart to allow air to circulate. This measure will help prevent fungal diseases such as black spot and powdery mildew.
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