Whenever you pick up a book or catalogue on roses, you are presented with different classifications of roses. Have you ever wondered what a Hybrid Tea actually is or what is the difference between some of the categories? Below is a simple guide to the various classifications of roses that you will come across. In recent years, the lines between each of the classifications are becoming increasingly blurred as breeders use different types of roses in their breeding programs.
Hybrid Teas are what most people think what a rose should be with one perfect bloom to a stem, although most of the HTs now produce clusters of blooms.
Many are fragrant to varying degrees and are also good in a vase or for exhibition at rose shows. Examples of Hybrid Teas include Aotearoa, Elina and Loving Memory
Floribundas produce smaller blooms in clusters and are among the most colourful of all roses. Not many are fragrant in proportion to Hybrid Teas, but they are excellent for any garden display and many are also good when grown as a standard. Examples include Iceberg, Raspberry Ice and Sexy Rexy.
Climbing roses are just vigourous growing roses that can be trained against a fence, on a pergola or up a pillar. Growth habits range from the very vigourous rambling types to the well contained patio climbers with smaller flowers. Most are quite colourful and add a vertical element to the rose garden. Examples of climbers include Albertine (rambler), Dublin Bay and Laura Ford (patio climber).
Shrub roses encompasses a wide range of rose from ground covers to David Austin types to those that are almost like climbers in habit. They are good in a variety of situations from pots too borders to mass plantings. Most are quite tough and although the individual flower is nothing startling, the overall effect adds colour to your garden. Examples include the Flower Carpet series, Sally Holmes, Graham Thomas and The Fairy.
Miniature/Patio roses generally have smaller flowers with the rest of the plant in proportion. Because of their size, they are excellent in containers and are ideal in today’s smaller gardens were space is an issue. Very few are noticeably fragrant although many have great form, perhaps the best of all roses. They are also good on a short standard. Examples include Beehive Gold, Kaikoura and Sweet Dream.
Old Fashioned or Heritage roses are by definition those roses bred prior to 1900 but we tend to include those bred up until the 1930s in this category. There are about 20 groups recognised in this category including species, bourbon, damask, rugosa and gallica types. Many are fragrant but also only flower once a year. They generally require a bit of room but if you have the space, they are worth it and are quite easy to grow. Many also have decorative hips at this time of the year. Examples include Cecile Brunner, Mutabilis and Zephirine Drouhin
So as you can see, there is a rose for every situation in your garden so it’s just a case of working out what you are looking for in a rose. You can check out photos of roses in each category on the New Zealand Rose Society Flick site here.