While there are literally hundreds of species and varieties, the following are some of the most popular to consider for your rose garden:

Hybrid Tea – These roses produce a variety of rose types that are tall and long-stemmed. The hybrid rose is used for cutting, such as rose bouquets sold at florist shops. Typically, each stem produces just a single bloom rather than a cluster. The Hybrid Tea Rose dates back to 1867 and from there, it has cultivated into thousands of varieties! While the Hybrid Tea Rose is subject to disease and insects, the blooms are simply gorgeous.

Floribunda – This type of rose is a cross between the Polyantha and Hybrid Tea Rose. In addition to the long rose from the Hybrid Tea you also get a hardier shrub-like rose from the Polyantha side, which is low maintenance and grows closer to the ground. The blossoms are quite showy, being produced in wonderful clusters. Although the Floribunda rose is more resistant to disease, it also tends to become gangly, therefore needing regular trimming.

Grandiflora – This rose is a cross of the Floribunda and Hybrid Tea Rose. First introduced in the 1950s, this rose became a very popular choice due to the large, showy blossoms that can reach upwards to eight feet.

Shrub – The Shrub rose is a nice choice for gardeners just starting out. Naturally resistant to disease, the Shrub rose handles cold climates quite well and because the growth pattern is compact, it requires little pruning.

Ground Cover – If you want beautiful ground cover, this is the ideal choice. Ground cover roses typically grow from one or two feet tall, spread easily, and can cover up to five feet. This rose also blooms during the early summer months all the way through the fall to the first frost.

Miniature Roses – These delicate, small roses are an excellent option for container or patio growing. The foliage resembles a shrub, reaching no more than eight inches tall. In addition, the roses are available in many magnificent colors, which are simply stunning.

Climbing Roses – Climbing roses grow very tall and because of this, they require support such as a trellis. The blossoms are typically showy and produced every few months.

With your rose garden, it is imperative that the roots be protected since they can be susceptible to extreme heat or sudden freezes. To help keep the soil moist, you can use a good layer of mulch for insulation around the roots. Mulch also keeps water from splashing on the leaves, which spread diseases such as powdery mildew and black spot. Then, your rose garden will need to be fed. We suggest you choose an organic fertilizer, which would include something like cow manure, worm tea, or fishmeal. The key is to begin fertilizing at the beginning of the season. With a little education and effort, you will have a rose garden beautiful enough to make you the envy of all your neighbors