The beauty of giving and receiving roses is profound – a staple of anniversaries and romantic holidays alike. However, while gifting a single rose or full bouquet has its appeal, there’s something even more satisfying about growing the flowers in your own garden or outdoor space. It offers a more profound relationship with the plant, while also opening up the ability to better understand a wider range of rose varieties.
However, if you’re new to roses or gardening in general, you may find it hard to pick the right species for your property. This piece will provide guidance on the considerations you need to make when choosing rose varieties for your home and garden, highlighting some relevant types that may suit your needs/limitations.
Assessing your garden properly
The first step when choosing a rose plant for your garden is figuring out how your garden may accommodate any choices. For example, trellis installations lend themselves well to climbing roses, while wide open beds are better suited to hybrid tea varieties.
More technical considerations for your garden conditions include ensuring:
- Suitable areas for roses to get 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily
- Well-drained, fertile soil, with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (around 6.0-7.0)
- Enough space for the roses to grow, depending on the requirements of its variety – it could be a widespread bush or a compact patio shrub
- Sheltering options if your garden is exposed to the cold and other elements during harsher months
- Plenty of air circulation to prevent fungal diseases like black spot or powdery mildew
Having a comprehensive understanding and awareness of these garden characteristics will make it a lot easier to pick the right species of rose for your display.
Consider preferences and goals
After you’ve determined the profile of your garden, it’s time to look inward. What do you like from roses? Do you want the classic romantic red of Paul’s Scarlet Roses, complete with layers of cascading petals? Or are you interested in something more unique in shade and shape from the Floribunda family?
Colour and bloom shape are arguably the two most significant preference elements when it comes to picking between rose varieties. Some other core preference considerations include:
- The fragrances and smells emitted by the roses you’re interested in (how do they make you feel)
- How often the roses bloom, with some being repeat bloomers and others only blooming once in spring or summer
- Your appetite for maintenance – some roses require more attention and care than others to keep them healthy and disease-free
- If you plan on cutting roses for bouquets, choose varieties with long, sturdy stems – standard roses often fit the bill
- Whether you want to attract wildlife or not – if so, choose variety that produces hips
Asking and answering yourself these questions will act as a north star when wondering how to choose a rose bush that suits your garden and needs.
Rose varieties and their characteristics
Now you know how to approach the selection process, here are a few basic notes on some of the major rose varieties. Note, each of these varieties has multiple species within its umbrella!
Hybrid teas: These are known for singular blooms, with cascading petals – the classic rose aesthetic.
Floribundas: Clusters of flowers with continuous colours – unique flowers and disease-resistant.
Climbing roses: Grow on long canes that need support from a trellis, wall or pergola.
Patio/standard: Another classic-looking rose with a compact form – perfect for potted displays.
There are a few more varieties, but these will often be the ones with which newer gardeners start. The trick is to choose a good supplier who can guide you through the different rose plant varieties, offering insights into which may suit your perfect garden the best. Start searching and begin your rose journey today!
