Selecting Roses

Roses are usually sold as two-year-old, field-grown plants. They are graded according to vigor and size. The main grades are 1, 1 1/2 and 2. Number 1 grade is the largest, and each succeeding grade represents slightly smaller plants.

The size of top grades will vary with variety, but always select only the top grade available for the desired variety. A number 1 grade will have at least 3 canes approximately 3/8" in diameter. Most nurseries handle only 1 and 1 1/2. These grades normally are worth the extra investment. They produce more vigorous plants with abundant flower production. "Bargain" roses, sold at extremely low prices, are often culls from the growing field and are below the grading standards for the lowest grade. Extreme care in selection is advised. They are not generally a bargain.

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Ways to buy

Bare root — Roses may be purchased bare rooted from local nurseries, mail-order nurseries and many other stores. When selecting these plants in a store, make sure that the canes are plump and green with smooth, unshriveled bark. If roots can be seen, select a good, well-balanced root system with a fresh appearance. A plant in good condition will feel heavy; a dried-out plant will feel lighter and twigs will be brittle if bent. There should be NO leaf growth on a bare root plant.

If you plan to purchase rose plants from a local store, select them as soon as possible after the shipment has arrived. Stores are often too warm and the dormant rose plants soon develop premature, weak growth. Over a few weeks, this can weaken or even kill the plant.

Ensure that your mail-order bare root rose plants will arrive in April-May timing so they can go straight into the ground. You don't want them sitting around in too warm or too cold conditions waiting for planting time.

Container — Plants started in containers can be purchased and planted at almost any time during the growing season. Plants can be selected in flower and planted for immediate effect. Only container-grown plants in fairly large containers should be purchased.

Number 1 roses should be purchased in at least a 2-gallon container. Number 1 1/2 or 2 plants should be in at least a 1-gallon container. Field-grown plants that are potted in small containers often have too many roots removed to develop vigorous growth after planting.

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Some Recommended Varieties

See also the ultra hardy roses in the Winterizing Roses section.

American Rose Society Recommended - Zones 4-7.
Varieties	Color	ARS Ratings
Hybrid Teas These are the most popular of all roses today. It originated from crosses between hybrid perpetuals and the tea rose imported from China in the 18th century. Flowers are large, many with a delicate fragrance. Plants are vigorous, but not as hardy as most of the "old-fashioned," shrub or hybrid perpetual roses.
Brides Dream Captain Harry Stebbings Chicago Peace Crystalline Double Delight Electron Elina Elizabeth Taylor First Prize Folklore Keepsake Lynette Lynn Anderson Marijke Koopman Miss All American Beauty Mister Lincoln Olympiad Paradise Peace Polarstern Pristine Sheer Bliss Tiffany *Touch of Class	Lt. pink Deep pink Pink blend White Red blend Deep pink Lt. yellow Deep pink Pink blend Orange blend Pink blend White Pink blend Med. pink Deep pink Dark red Med. red Mauve Yellow blend White White White Pink blend Orange-pink	8.0 8.1 7.7 7.8 8.9 7.7 8.6 8.8 8.9 8.5 8.4 7.5 + 8.9 8.2 8.8 9.1 8.3 8.6 7.8 9.2 7.8 8.3 9.5
Grandifloras These were developed from crosses between floribundas and hybrid teas. This group combines the free-flowering characteristics of the floribundas with the size and quality of the bloom of the hybrid tea.
Aquarius Gold Medal Pink Parfait Prima Donna Queen Elizabeth Sonia *Tournament of Roses	Pink blend Med yellow Pink blend Deep pink Med. pink Pink blend Med. pink	8.0 8.8 8.2 7.5 9.0 8.1 8.0
Floribundas These were developed from crosses between hybrid teas and polyanthas. Flowers are intermediate in size between the two parents, but they have the same form and substance as hybrid teas. They are slightly hardier than hybrid teas and produce more flowers. They tend to grow lower and bushier than hybrid teas, which makes them suitable for mass plantings.
Angel Face Dicky Europeana First Edition Gene Boerner Iceberg Impatient Ivory Fashion Lavaglut Little Darling Nicole (Koricole) Playboy Playgirl Royal Occasion Sexy Rexy Showbiz Sun Flare *Sunsprite	Mauve Orange pink Dark red Orange pink Med. pink White Orange pink White Dark red Yellow blend White Red blend Med. pink Orange red Med. pink Med. red Med. yellow Deep yellow	8.1 8.8 9.0 8.6 8.5 8.7 7.8 8.6 8.4 8.6 9.0 8.1 8.1 8.5 9.0 8.6 8.1 8.7
Polyanthas Flowers are smaller than the floribunda but borne in larger clusters. Plants are hardy, bushy and relatively disease resistant. They are excellent for mass plantings and borders. Varieties are more limited and flowers are not as suitable for cutting as the previous types. Outstanding varieties available include China Doll, The Fairy and Mrs. R.M. Finch.
China Doll The Fairy Mrs. R.M. Finch	Pink Lt. pink Dark pink	9.4 9.8 9.4
Miniatures These are dainty little rose plants - replicas of their larger relatives. Flowers are small and plants range from 6 to 12 inches in height. Leaves and even thorns are perfect miniatures. Plants are bushy and most are quite hardy. They are useful for low edging and in rock gardens. Many varieties are available from specialists in many colors and blends.
Acey Deucey Cupcake Dreamglo Fairhope Giggles Irresistible Jean Henneally Kristen Little Jackie Magic Carousel Millie Walters Minnie Pearl Party Girl Pierrine Rainbow's End Red Beauty Rise 'N' Shine Snow Bride Starina	Med. red Med. pink Red blend Lt. yellow Med. pink White Apricot blend Red blend Orange blend Red blend Orange pink Pink blend Yellow blend Orange pink Yellow blend Dark red Med. yellow White Orange red	8.3 8.5 8.5 8.0 9.0 8.0 9.7 8.6 8.6 9.0 8.6 9.4 9.0 9.4 9.0 8.4 9.1 9.3 9.0
Climbers These include all varieties of roses that produce long, vigorous cane growth that can be trained on fences, trellises or posts. Climbing roses don't climb in the sense of many other plants. They don't twine or have tendrils that make them self-supporting. Several different categories of climbing roses are available with slight differences in hardiness and culture.
Climbing Miniatures
Candy Cane Hi Ho **Jeannie LaJoie	Pink blend Orange pink Med. pink	8.1 8.3 9.2
Climbers - Repeat Blooming, Large Flowered
Altissimo *America Blaze Don Juan Dortmund Galwan Bay Handel	Med. red Orange pink Med. red Dark red Med. red Orange pink Red blend	9.3 8.8 7.4 8.2 9.1 8.0 8.1
Shrub Rose The "Shrub Rose" term is often given to a miscellaneous group of species, hybrids and varieties. They have also been listed as "old-fashioned" roses although new varieties have been developed. They are a hardy group of roses with a wide range of flower forms and colors.
Bonica Frau Dogmar Hartopp Golden Wings Graham Thomas Hanseat *Heritage Will Scarlet	Med. pink Med. pink Lt. yellow Deep yellow Med. pink Lt. pink Med. red	9.1 8.5 7.9 7.9 7.7 8.7 8.2
Old Garden Roses The vast number of other species, hybrids and their varieties are too numerous to mention here. Among them are the Sweetbriar rose, Cottage rose, French rose, Father Hugo rose, Apple rose, Scotch rose, prairie rose, Virginia rose and memorial rose. Most of these are available only through specialists.
Alba Semi-Plena Austrian Copper (R. foetida bicolor) Baronne Prevost Comte de Chambord Fanlin-Latour Harrison's Yellow Madame (Mme) Hardy Marchesa Boccella Reine des Violettes Rose Mundi R. rugosa Rose de Rescht Sombreuil	White Red blend Med. pink Pink blend Lt. pink Deep yellow White Lt. pink Mauve Pink blend Mauve Deep pink White	8.6 8.1 8.5 8.0 8.2 8.0 9.2 8.9 8.0 8.6 8.4 8.6 8.8
ARS Rating -- National Rose Ratings 10.0 - Perfect 9.0-9.9 - Outstanding 8.0-8.9 - Excellent 7.0-7.9 - Good 6.0-6.9 - Fair	All America Rose Selection Winner. American Rose Society Award of Excellence. ******English Rose.

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