According to the American Rose Society, the three main types of roses are the Species Roses, Old Garden Roses, and Modern Roses.

Species Roses

Species Roses, also known as “wild roses,” were the very first roses, predating man by hundreds of millennia. They are the ancestral root of all other classes of rose. They bloom annually, and their typical five-petaled blossoms are easily recognized. But watch out for thorns on these climbers or shrubs.

Found all over the northern half of the world, Species Roses thrive in moderate conditions.

Dog Roses, Redleaf Roses, Gallic Roses, Cherokee Roses, and French Roses are some popular varieties of Species Roses.

Old Garden Roses

Old Garden Roses are much younger than Species Roses. Any major rose variety classified prior to 1867 are considered Old Garden Roses.

Summer is heralded by the annual blossoming of many Old Garden Roses. Their shrubs and vines develop in many assorted sizes. Colors are varied as well, though normally Old Garden Roses have soft pastel or white blooms. Also known as “antique roses,” they don’t require extensive care, which makes them a favorite of amateur gardeners. Oftentimes, the most sought-after “antique roses” are chosen for their distinctive fragrant smell.

Hybrid Perpetual, Tea, Damask, Noisette, China, Bourbon, and Moss roses are just a few examples of the varieties of roses known as Old Garden Roses.

Modern Roses

Modern Roses are the newest class of roses, deriving from Old Garden Roses. Modern Roses include any variety of rose classified since 1867. Not only are they the most recently identified roses, they are also extremely popular. It is a cross breed of two separate but well-matched plants: the common polyanthus and the Tea Rose.

In contrast to the delicate colors of an Old Garden Rose, the Modern Rose is vivacious and full-bodied. Unlike Species and Old Garden Roses, with the proper care most varieties of Modern Rose will bloom more than once per season. This characteristic may be one of the reasons they are so appealing to horticulturists.

These roses are particular about their surroundings, preferring a warmer climate. Gardeners and florists are just crazy about Modern Roses.

Examples of well-known Modern Roses are the hybrid tea, grandiflora, and floribunda.

Roses are first placed in one of these three key groups. They are then categorized according to size, ancestry, color, blooming characteristics, growth habit, date of introduction, and scent.

Even with all the methods of classification, a horticulturists still cannot possibly identify every rose. Hybrid roses, for example, seem to fall into a class of their own.

Not every expert agrees on just one method of classifying roses. However, the system that seems to work the best is the one created by the American Rose Society. This may be why the American Rose Society’s rose classification method is used by the majority of the world’s rosarians.

Updated: 8/3/09

Knock Out Rose

The plants grow to about four feet high and three feet wide. Heavy pruning is not required, but they can be trimmed to tree form if you prefer. The original Knock Out, “Radrazz”, is a vivid cherry red, but a variety of colors are available including shades of pink and pale yellow. During the cooler spring months the blooms are bright and vibrant while summer heat brings a darker shade. The foliage is a dark purple color that transforms to a gorgeous burgundy upon fall’s arrival. The Knock Out also has one of the longest bloom cycles of any rose available, producing new blooms about every five weeks.

Roses are typically considered weak and difficult to grow, making them a challenge that some gardeners opt not to take on. What truly sets the Knock Out apart from other roses is the fact that it will grow practically anywhere it is planted and takes no special care in order to flourish. It is also the most disease resistant variety of rose available, standing up to rust, mildew and black spot. It is self-cleaning so deadheading is never necessary and the plant’s resistance to drought means that daily watering is not a requirement, even in very dry times.

It doesn’t matter if you live in an arid desert town or a humid coastal area, the Knock Out rose makes an excellent choice for any garden. With it’s beauty, resilience and easy care, this rose is sure to continue being popular with both experienced and novice rose gardeners.

Update: You might want to read the blog post about Northern Accent and Knock Out roses available from Nature Hills Nursery.

Rose trees, also known as Rose Standards, differ from rose plants or rose shrubs in that they are actually cultivated to resemble a tree. A rose tree consists of a long, slender cane, 32 – 36 inches (about 1 meter) in length, void of any foliage from which an abundance of rose flowers literally burst forth. The ‘tree’ is created by making two grafts: one at the top of the central cane to support the hybrid tee, grandiflora or floribunda and one at the bottom, at the rootstock.

Miniature rose trees are created in a similar manner, the difference being that the central cane measures only approximately 24 inches. Whether regular-sized or miniature, the end result is a unique rose that has the shape of a lollipop.

To endure the weight of the grafted rose on top, the central cane usually must be staked. Staking is especially important in areas prone to wind. Another problem with rose trees, besides the usual pests and diseases that plague all roses, is the sun. The cane part of the tree rose is especially susceptible to sun scald.

During the winter months it’s difficult to protect rose trees from the cold. With regular roses, all that’s required to prepare for winter is a layer of mulch around the base. But with the rose tree, to be protected from the cold, mulch must be placed all the way up the cane. The only way to accomplish this is either by relocating the rose tree during the winter, or by engineering a container made from wire mesh to surround the cane that can be filled with mulch.

Besides the seasonal care, growers have to diligently prune rose trees to achieve the right look. The central cane should never be pruned, only the flowering top part. How you prune will depend on the type of rose that sits atop the cane so know the right way before beginning. Improperly pruned roses, regardless of type, are more prone to diseases. And with the rose tree, it can cause an uneven distribution of weight that could break the stems.

You’ll find several different species of rose trees. The newest to hit the market is the ‘double decker’ rose tree that produces two layers of flowers. One is on top, as you would normally expect to see, and the other layer begins closer to the ground although this layer is not considered ground covering. Yellow Ribbons Double Decker is a beauty. Another popular rose tree is the ‘weeping’ tree where arched rose stems overflowing with roses cascade towards the ground. The Roseberry Blanket Weeping Tree Rose produces large-sized fuchsia blooms.

Even though Rose Standards require more attention, the attention they’ll get when they’re established and in full bloom is well worth the effort. They’ll add height to your garden and bursts of vibrant color throughout your landscape.

It might surprise you to know that not all roses are worthy of the AARS’ Seal of Approval. If a rose cannot measure up to the strict standards set forth by the AARS, then it won’t get this seal that since 1983 has become synonymous with quality in the world of roses.

The Test Gardens

For two long years, several new rose specimens are grown in approved test gardens that are located all over the United States. These testing areas are located in California, Massachusetts, West Virginia, Illinois, Wisconsin, Washington and 13 other states of varying climate zones to see how well each specimen can tolerate the different weather patterns.

Those in charge of the test gardens agree to follow the growing guidelines developed by AARS, ensuring consistency throughout the evaluation phase. The guidelines are not overly complex. If a rose earns the AARS Seal of Approval, it can be successfully grown and maintained by anyone, regardless of their level of rose-growing expertise.

Besides the climate, the rose specimen under evaluation receives numerical scores in many other areas including its fragrance, its color when it opens and when it peaks, its foliage, its ability to flower, its buds, stems and flowers, its vigor and finally its overall value.

The 2006 AARS Winners

Each year several new specimens pass the test and are awarded the AARS Seal of Approval. The 4 winners for 2006 are:

• Julia Child, an old-fashioned grand dame (floribunda), just like its namesake with a buttery gold color and excellent disease tolerance;
• Rainbow Sorbet, a floribunda with a medium sized flower in a bright mix of orange, yellow and red;
• Wild Blue Yonder, a grandiflora with shades of lavender and the scent of citrus and rose; and
• Tahitian Sunset, a grand hybrid tea that produces peach-apricot-pink flowers 5 inches in diameter with up to 30 petals each, finished off by the scent of licorice.

Bayer Advanced™ float, Jack and the Rose Stalk, led the 2006 Rose Parade. The float featured the 2006 AARS winners.

Remember, part of the testing criteria is that the AARS winners must be easy to grow by an average gardener. So make plans to visit your local nursery or garden or home center this spring to snatch up these best of breed roses. They’re also available online and via mail order.

* Photo courtesy of Bayer Advanced™

• They’re perfect for container gardens, but do just as well planted in the ground.

• Their small buds and blooms are beautiful in corsages and arrangements, tucked into a small vase on a tray or picked and carefully dried in potpourri.

While small in size, most miniatures are highly scented, and just a few small bushes can perfume the air in an entire garden. That, and the ease of growing the hardy little perennials has made them increasingly popular with home gardeners. Their versatility makes them as at home tumbling over a trellis to create a romantic, rose covered gazebo as they are in a neatly trained border along the side of a driveway.

What are miniature roses?

Miniature roses are, by definition, compact bushes with abundant blooms. A single miniature rose bush can have hundreds of flowers. There are a number of different varieties of miniatures, separated by size and growing behavior.

Micro-minis are particularly delightful, maturing at between 6 and 12 inches of height, with blooms as small as 1/4 inch across. They grow wonderfully in small pots, and are the perfect plant to lend a touch of romance to a sunny city balcony.

Climbing miniature roses, like Rainbow’s Edge with showy orange and yellow flowers or the Red Cascade with its open, velvety red petals, can quickly cover an open frame or gazebo to create a rose covered trellis in one growing season.

Upright miniature roses, or standards, are tree roses that grow from 12-18 inches tall. A rose tree in full bloom is a delightful centerpiece accent in a low growing garden, or standing on its own in a container.

There are a number of miniature roses that trail, sending out runners with new growth and flowers. These make wonderful choices in a hanging basket, with drifts of flowers to cascade over the sides in a beautiful display of color. Best choices for hanging baskets include the aptly named Red Cascade and the ruffled pink Nostalgia.

Miniature roses are hardy bloomers that winter well even as far north as zone 4. They grow quickly, require little care outside of watering, and will reward you with dozens of blooms for very little effort.

Quick Stats :
Height: 6-24″ depending on variety
Width: 12-18″
Bloom: 1/4″-2″
Pros: Easy to grow, need little care, flower profusely, strong scent, versatile
Cons: If left to grow unchecked, may overwhelm other plants in garden