A Rose is a Rose is a Rose, or is it?"A rose is a rose is a rose", a famous quote written by Gertrude Stein often interpreted as meaning "things are what they are." In Stein’s view, the sentence expresses the fact that simply using the name of a thing already invokes the imagery and emotions associated with it. Unlike many other flowers, most gardeners and non-gardeners know what a rose is, but upon its mention each of us might imagine a very different flower. This is because there are thousands of varieties of roses, and within those varieties there are different types. Each type of rose is distinctive, often growing and performing differently in your garden and can require subtle differences in their care.
To help you determine what type of rose you hold in your
imagination, or is growing or could be growing in your garden,
here’s some basic characteristics of a few types of roses available.
Hybrid Tea Hybrid teas are probably what most people think of when they envision a rose. The hybrid teas have large beautiful blooms that open on the end of graceful long canes, making them very popular for use in floral arrangements. Hybrid teas have the largest variety of flower colors of all the roses. They come in almost every color under the rainbow, except the elusive blue and black rose that breeders have tried for years to develop. In order above: Pink Promise, Veterans’ Honor®, Peace and Tahitian Sunset.
Floribundas Once referred to as hybrid polyanthas, the floribunda rose is named for its production of large clusters of smaller blooms. The clusters of blooms on shorter stems stand out dramatically compared to the single bloom of a hybrid tea, making floribunda roses a popular choice for the landscape. Floribundas are traditionally one of the easiest roses to grow. Like the hybrid tea, it also comes in a large selection of colors. In order above: Enchanted Evening, Hot Cocoa, Easy Does It and Cinco De Mayo.
Climbing Roses Climbing roses are vigorous growers and can reach great heights. Climbers are generally broken down into three categories: large flowered, ramblers, and sports of hybrid tea, floribundas and other roses. The large flowered climbers have stiff canes and are often the best repeat bloomers. Their heights range from 8 - 20 feet tall. Their bloom can be singular or clustered, and come in an assortment of colors. The rambler type of rose is usually an older variety that only blooms once a year and lasts about a month. The canes are more pliable and are easier to train on trellises. Their blooms are clusters of small roses. Sports of other roses will resemble the rose, but have a climbing growth habit. They will usually bloom in the spring and once again lightly in the fall. In order above: Don Juan, Fourth of July, Scent from Above and Blaze of Glory.
Shrubs A very diverse group, shrub roses are a "catchall" group of roses. They get their diversity from being a melting pot of many cross breedings of some of the older roses with some of the modern hybrids to get a stronger, more disease resistant, highly fragrant rose. Shrub roses are reliably hardy and are repeat bloomers. In order above: Sunny Knock Out, Drift Red, Drift Peach and Midnight Blue.
Grandifloras Grandifloras are the perfect blend of the hybrid teas and the floribundas. The flower size is midway between that of its parents. Flowers form on long stems that can bloom singularly or in small clusters. The blooms are usually double, but typically have no striking fragrance. Like the floribunda, it makes a great landscape rose. In order above: Dreams Come True, Rock & Roll, Love and Catalina.
Miniatures Miniature roses are just that, small in bush size, foliage size and bloom size. You’ll more often find these roses sold in floral shops or indoor plant atriums since they grow extremely well in containers. Their blooms can range from half an inch up to two inches. In order above: Tropical Twist, Cinnamon Girl, Sun Sprinkles and Hot Tamale. |
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