Photo: Star Roses and PlantsRoses often get a bad rap as being too fussy, dainty and demanding. But during the past few decades, breeders have created new disease-resistant varieties with improved cold and heat tolerance, repeat blooms and minimal maintenance requirements.
In fact, most new roses don’t require deadheading and need only to be cut back by a third during spring cleanups for best bloom.
Unfortunately, many people believe roses should perform without any care whatsoever, which isn’t realistic. “Every plant needs a little bit of maintenance,” says Jacques Ferare, rose program manager with Star Roses and Plants. “There’s no such thing as a maintenance-free plant. Even perennials and shrubs may need to be sheared back in the spring to look their best.”
The secret to adding the timeless appeal of roses to your landscape is not really a secret: Choose the right plant for the right place, says Ferare. Every rose does not perform the same in every climate; select those that thrive in your region by consulting a local nursery, your area’s Cooperative Extension Service or the American Rose Society.
To ensure success with roses, plants should receive at least six hours of sun per day. “Some roses do okay in shade, but they won’t have the flower power,” says Ferare. Avoid the common mistake of planting roses too close together, which makes them more vulnerable to disease. For heavy soils, dig a hole larger than needed and work organic material into the soil over a large planting area, not just in a small hole. Mulch heavily, and water deeply occasionally during dry periods.
Roses are equally at home in formal, cottage, Mediterranean or urban garden settings. They’re versatile plants that offer incomparable beauty as accents, in borders, en masse, on hillsides and in planters.
These hardy new varieties and old standbys will add color, depth and charm to your planting plans:
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Landscape/Shrub Roses
Photo: Proven WinnersHome Run (Rosa x “WEKcisbako” USPP 18552)
Salt tolerant and highly resistant to black spot and powdery mildew. Heat and cold tolerant. Deep red color on mounded habit. No spraying needed. Also available in pink. Grows 42 to 48 inches tall and wide.
Hardy to USDA Zone 4
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Photo: NewfloraKolorscape Lemon Fizz (Rosa “KORfizlem” PP 24195)
Hardy, compact bright yellow mounds work well in mass plantings. Disease resistant. Thrives in heat and drought. Other colors include Flamingo (hot pink), Kardinal (brilliant red), Milano (deep red), and Cheri (coral-pink). Grows 24 inches tall, 34 inches wide.
Hardy to USDA Zone 5
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Photo: Proven WinnersOso Easy Paprika (Paprika Rosa “ChewMayTime” PP 18347)
Very cold-hardy and disease resistant with bright orange-to-coral color. Doesn’t need to be sprayed or pruned. Series also comes in multitude of colors, including Double Red, Lemon Zest, Mango Salsa and Italian Ice, which boasts yellow-to-pink flowers reminiscent of “Peace” rose in coloration. Grows 36 to 48 inches tall, 24 to 36 inches wide.
Hardy to USDA Zone 3
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Photo: Proven WinnersOso Happy Petit Pink (Petit Pink Rosa “ZleMarianneYoshida” USPP 22205)
Sprays of tiny pink flowers with outstanding disease resistance. Nice form that can be trimmed to shape in spring. Also available as Candy Oh! (candy apple red color) and Smoothie (pink thornless variety). Grows 30 to 42 inches tall and wide.
Hardy to USDA Zone 4
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Photo: Star Roses and PlantsPeachy Keen (Rosa x “Radgor” PPAF)
New shrub with shell-pink blooms and yellow centers, fading to pastel pink. Nice upright, rounded habit. Fast growing. Grows 24 to 36 inches tall, 36 to 48 inches wide.
Hardy to USDA Zone 5
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Photo: Star Roses and PlantsRainbow KnockOut (Rosa “Radcor” PP 17346)
Bushy, compact coral pink rose with yellow center; more compact than other Knock Out colors. Blooms from spring to frost. Rarely gets black spot. Other colors include Pink, Blush and Sunny, a creamy yellow with a light scent. Double KnockOut varieties have full flowers that resemble the classic rose form. Grows 36 to 48 inches tall and wide.
Hardy to USDA Zone 5
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Photo: Star Roses and PlantsRainbow Sunblaze (Rosa “Meigenpi” PP 17481)
Beautiful bright yellow-to-red-to-orange blooms. Great choice in small gardens. Eye-catching in containers, along walks and in mixed borders. Grows 12 to 18 inches tall and wide.
Hardy to USDA Zone 5
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Groundcover Roses
Photo: Anthony TesselaarFlower Carpet Pink Splash (Rosa x “Noasplash” PPAF)
Mounding habit and two-tone pink blooms make this an attractive plant for borders and mass plantings. Good disease resistance. Attracts butterflies. Fast grower. Available in many colors, including Amber, the newest shade. Grows 24 to 30 inches tall, 36 to 42 inches wide.
Hardy to USDA Zone 5
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Photo: Star Roses and PlantsPopcorn Drift (Rosa “Novarospop” PPAF)
A cross between a full-size groundcover and miniature rose, Popcorn Drift starts yellow and fades to creamy white with pink tinges. Beautiful in masses, on hillsides and as foundation plantings. Also available in peach, pink, red, apricot, coral, white and double pink. Grows 18 inches tall, 30 inches wide.
Hardy to USDA Zone 5
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Photo: MonroviaRugostar Raspberry (Rosa rugosa “Meitozaure” PP 15937)
This hardy Rugosa rose has deep pink blooms that hug the ground all summer long. A light fragrance makes it even more appealing. Very disease resistant. Works well as a hedge. Grows 24 to 36 inches tall, 36 to 72 inches tall.
Hardy to USDA Zone 4
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Climbing Roses
Photo: Star Roses and PlantsBrite Eyes (Rosa “Radbrite” PP 17391)
Brilliant salmon color with yellow centers. Spicy-sweet fragrance. Resistant to black spot. Works well in small gardens, tumbling over a fence or small trellis. Grows to 7 to 8 feet.
Hardy in USDA Zone 5
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Photo: Star Roses and PlantsPretty in Pink Eden (Rosa “Margaret Mae” PP 20953)
Brand new rose that boasts a lovely deep pink color and vintage rose fragrance. Double petals. Disease resistant. Stunning on a large trellis. Grows 10 to 12 feet tall.
Hardy to USDA Zone 5
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Photo: MonroviaWilliam Baffin (Rosa x “William Baffin”)
This older variety is extremely cold-hardy and vigorous, with deep pink blooms from spring to frost. Slight fragrance. Does best on a large trellis. Fast grower to 10 feet long.
Hardy to USDA Zone 3
