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When planning a new rose garden or caring for an
existing garden it is best to know what kind of rose you need or have in order
to design or prune effectively. For example, when dealing with miniature roses
there are some that grow to be moderately tall and wide while still retaining
the small leaf and bloom that is characteristic of the miniature. This rose is
probably not what you want for a border, but a stunning bed can be created from
the larger varieties of miniature roses which tend to be very hardy and disease
resistant.
Roses are identified like any other plant by leaf, stem,
bloom, stature and structure. This article concerns itself with the most common
varieties and a description of each.
To begin with all rose leaves are alternate, pinnately compound with serrated
edges. Each rose leaf contains 3, 5 or 7 leaflets. The most common is 5 in the
modern rose. The leaflets are sharp toothed and oval. Many leaflets have a
prickly underside. The new leaf growth of some roses is purple, some crimson
and some pale green. Stems are rounded and generally have thorns; although,
there are roses that do not have thorns.
There is a variety of bloom types from the high-centered
beauty associated with the hybrid tea to the large, peony-like English rose.
The basic structure of the rose bloom is flat with a single layer of 5 petals.
There is one rose that has 4 petals.'Rosa sericea,' the silky rose, is an old China rose that is native to
Southwestern China. Other bloom types are: cupped – deep, shallow and open; quartered;
globular; rosette and pompon. An
excellent pictorial essay of the various types can be found at the National
Garden Association website at https://garden.org/ideas/view/Calif_Sue/1187/An-Explanation-of-Rose-Shapes-and-Types/.
Stature and Structure:
At the outset it is worth noting the exquisite artistry
of the rose. Without fail if the leaf is small the blooms, stems and thorns are
small as well. The balance and symmetry of the rose is impeccable.
Hybrid
Tea
– grows 3-5 feet in height, 2-3 feet wide and upright. A repeat bloomer it
usually produces one bloom per stem. Occasionally one large bloom surrounded by
two or more smaller blooms is seen. The bloom is around 5-5 ½ inches wide, high-center
and unfolds in a symmetrical fashion. This rose is known for being high
maintenance.
Floribunda – grows
between 2-4 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide. Cultivars 5 feet tall have been developed.
It is a very reliable repeat bloomer throughout the season with clusters of 5-8
blooms per stem. Rarely a stem will support a single bloom. Blooms are
generally smaller than the hybrid tea 2 ½ to 3 ½ inches across. Bloom type
varies.
Grandiflora –
is a cross between the hybrid tea and the floribunda. Blooms appear in clusters or individually atop
stems that are longer than the floribunda but not as long as the hybrid tea.
Grandiflora rose bushes are often taller than the hybrid tea, but not as wide
as the floribunda. Roses can be very large and showy. Bloom type varies.
Both the floribunda and the grandiflora are lower
maintenance then the hybrid tea and are often recommended to first time growers
providing they have the space.
Miniature – is
usually between 12 and 18 inches high, some are as tall as 36 inches and the
climbing miniature can reach a height of over 4 feet. The smallest of these
roses can be less than 6 inches. Blooms are often 1-2 inches or less across,
and bloom types vary. They are available as hybrid tea, floribunda, grandiflora
and climbers. Most are repeat bloomers. The newest of the miniatures roses is
the Miniflora. Larger than the
standard miniatures in bloom, foliage and bush size this rose has extremely vigorous
growth habits.
Climber – does
not climb, it has no tentacles with which to grasp. The climbing rose simply has
incredibly robust growth habits allowing it to scale a wall, wonder through a
trellis or flow over a patio. The rambling rose, one of many varieties of
climbers, is a spreading rose with very flexible canes and small blooms held in
sprays of up to 20 per stem. Ramblers will flower profusely once in the spring.
Other climbers with larger blooms and more upright habits may show out lavishly
during the spring and only intermittently the rest of the season. There are
climbers known as Climbing Sports of the hybrid tea and floribunda roses. These
are genetically altered forms of existing roses, for instance, the Climbing
Peace Rose. Sports are not recommended in Colorado due to the fact that they
bloom on year-old wood. Our winters may limit the survival of that wood.
Climbers produce varying bloom types.
Shrub – range
from compact bushes around 3 feet tall to plants that are over 8 feet high and very
wide. There are also ground covering shrub varieties. Some bloom abundantly
only in the spring; others are prolific all season. They are easy to care for
and very hardy. Often their fall hips present with lush red, orange and bronze color,
adding beauty to the garden throughout the winter. Some shrubs have large
blooms and foliage, some are smaller. Bloom types vary. The shrub is a
wonderful rose for a beginner, providing the rose is chosen with care and
planted with an eye to space and light.
Austin/English –
From England these beauties are hybridized by David Austin and do very well in
our climate. The rose varieties range from wide and dense to lovely rounded bushes,
and stately pillars. While Austin creates miniature roses, floribundas,
grandifloras and hybrid teas, he is renowned for his large shrub roses two of
which are ‘The Dark Lady’ and ‘Abraham Darby.’ While a great many of his roses
display the peony-like English rose blooms that are very big and astonishing elegant,
other bloom types are available.
In addition to the roses discussed in this article there
are many others: the species and hybrid species; Moss; Portland; China; Old Garden;
Buck; Bourbon; Alba; Damask; Centifolia (cabbage roses); Canadian; Hybrid Gallica
and Polyantha. The discerning Rosarian tries to have as many varieties of roses
in their garden as space and finances allow.
Featured here are:
‘The Dark Lady’ – Austin Shrub, English Rose bloom type
‘The Dark Lady’ – Austin Shrub, English Rose bloom type
‘Neon Cowboy’ – Miniature Shrub, Flat bloom type
‘Betty Boop’ – Floribunda, Flat, Semi-double bloom type
‘Neptune’ – Hybrid Tea, High-center bloom type
'Ispahan' - Antique Climber, Rosette bloom type
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