There is one flower that is loved more than any other, the rose. And there are lots of different kinds that can be used in different situations and different gardens. If you are looking for the perfect rose for your garden, this guide will help you choose the best one.
Standard Roses
Standard roses are very divisive. People either love them or loathe them. What it is, this rose here has been grafted onto a tall stem of a briar. Almost all roses are grafted onto a rootstock. That is why you get suckers that are not the same as the variety on the top.
They are sturdy, more so than the variety itself might be. With weak roots, they still create height in a bed or border.
They come in many different flower colors, shapes, and forms. A variety called Carefree Days is often used in pots on their own outside a front door, or rising up through a bed of lower growing plants. They make formal features when planted on either side of borders.
They will last from June right through to October.
Patio Roses
At the other end of the spectrum is the patio rose.
Patio roses are shorter, usually not more than a foot and a half high. Some stay even lower. Their stocky shape makes them perfect for small patios or even doorsteps.
They offer great value through summer, repeating flower from May until October. Crimson Sweet Dream is a strong red variety with healthy foliage. Each stem produces clusters, bringing blooms every week.
The fragrance is pleasant, though not the strongest, still rather nice to enjoy up close.
Shrub Roses
Shrub roses need more space. Some go back as far as the 16th century, but most in today’s gardens were raised during the 19th. Modern shrub roses, also called English roses, have the advantage of repeat flowering.
A popular one is Ballerina, with dark pink blooms fading to pale white, giving a two-tone effect. Another is Jacqu Cartier, raised in 1868 in France, with a rich rose talcum powder fragrance.
For borders with perennials, shrub roses are ideal.
Climbing Roses
Climbing roses, as the name suggests, grow upwards but need support. With ties and trellis, they thrive on sunny walls or archways. Proper pruning ensures repeat flowering through the season.
Swan Lake is one such climber with elegant white flowers. Varieties like Shrop Shellad and The Generous Gardener work beautifully over arches, making lovely garden entrances.
Rambling Roses
Rambling roses are vigorous giants. They produce masses of flowers, though usually just for one season.
Paul’s Himalayan Musk and Super Fairy are classic ramblers. They are perfect for trailing through old fruit trees, making them spectacular when in bloom.
Though short-lived in flowering season, their display is unforgettable and worth the wait every year.
Hybrid Tea Roses
Hybrid tea roses are perhaps the most iconic. These are full, blousy blooms, typically one per stem.
Wedding Bouquet offers a mild fragrance with lovely white flowers. Another, Peace, can grow quite tall. Proper pruning is essential. Without it, they grow leggy and flower less over time.
The variety Nostalgia is a striking display, with petals showing both white and deep rich pink. Their glossy foliage and formal growth habit make them suited to dedicated rose beds. Planting them close together with groundcover like hardy geraniums or violets helps avoid bare soil.
Choosing the Perfect Rose for Your Garden
So, there you are, seven different types of roses—standard, patio, shrub, climbing, rambling, and hybrid tea. Each one suits a different space and purpose. Nobody should be without them, whether for fragrance, form, or sheer elegance.
Gardening has changed my life. Let it change yours as you discover the perfect rose for your garden.
