At last count, there were roughly 150 known species alone, and the garden hybrids of those number in the thousands. Every year, new varieties are tested, and some are eventually introduced. A great resource for viewing roses is the Washington Park rose garden. It is actually one of several rose test gardens around the nation, and is home to some of the newest roses and also some of the oldest. Keep in mind that since these roses are being evaluated, not all may actually continue on to the retail market. And not all varieties are still available. Much like cars, roses are often “discontinued” in favor of newer models.

Where to Plant

Sunlight

The planting site is one of the most crucial elements in successful rose growing. Roses need full sun! Some of the shrub roses aren’t as picky about this, but a successful rose garden starts with a sunny spot. Shade causes long, sprawling, floppy growth and invites disease.

Soil

The next element is soil. To start with, drainage is a must. Roses despise wet feet, and aren’t terribly fond of heavy clay.

Roses are most successful in raised beds, as raised beds drain exceptionally well and tend to have better temperature properties than regular flat soil. The better the soil, the better the roses.

If you can bring in new soil, like a sandy loam or other soil mix, you should consider doing it. Whatever soil you use should be high in organic material, fast draining, and close to a neutral pH.

Clay can be used, but you must amend it with a lot of organic material. Lime generally needs to be added to counteract the acidity of our native soils.

Roses love rich soil, so be sure to add quite a bit of organic material.

One of the best mixtures we have found is composted steer manure, We like “Malibu Compost”. Mushroom compost doesn’t last long enough, but a heavier planting compost could be used.

Try not to use a lot of bark around roses, it can have somewhat adverse effects over time.

When you are ready to plant, pick a good planting site and fix it up as mentioned above.

Water

Give your roses1 to 2 inches of water each week in a single watering session from early spring through fall.

Increase the frequency to every three or four days in hot and dry weather.

Porous soils will also benefit from additional deep soakings.

Extra Tips

Standard planting procedures apply, but there are a few things to keep in mind.

It is beneficial to add a cup of lime when planting, as this will correct pH around the plant.

All hybrid roses will have a graft union towards the base of the plant, right above where the roots start to form. This union is easily recognized, it is generally swollen and looks like a knot. This union must remain above the soil level! This also includes any mulch that you put down: keep the graft union clear. Burying this will give you massive headaches and heartbreaks in the near future.

You may also want to consider adding some mycorrhiza when you plant for added health.

2024 Rose List

  • America

    Arborose Florentina

    Arborose Honeymoon

    Arborose Kiss Me Kate

    Arborose Quicksilver

    Cherry Frost

    Cloud 10

    Colette

    Don Juan

    Eden Climber

    Fourth of July

    Fruity Petals

    Garden Sun

    Golden Opportunity

    Golden Showers

    Joseph's Coat

    Polka

    Red Eden

    Sky's the Limit

    Tropical Lightning

    Zephirine Drouhin

  • Adobe Sunrise

    Angel Face

    Arctic Blue

    Bolero

    Bright and Shiny

    Burst of Joy

    Canyon Road

    Celestial Night

    Cherrytini

    Chihuly

    Desert Sky

    Doris Day

    Drop Dead Red

    Easy Does It

    Easy Going

    Easy Spirit

    Ebb Tide

    Europeana

    Frida Kahlo

    Gilded Sun

    Gingersnap

    Hot Cocoa

    Intrigue

    Judy Garland

    Julia child

    Jump for Joy

    Ketchup & Mustard

    Polynesian Punch

    Powerpuff

    Preference

    Pumpkin Patch

    Purple Tiger

    Queen of Elegance

    Rainbow Sorbet

    Scentimental

    Sheila’s Perfume

    Showbiz

    Sunbelt Desmond Tutu

    Sunbelt Plum Perfect

    Sunbelt Sierra Lady

    Sunbelt South Africa

    Sunset Horizon

    Sunsprite

    Trumpeter

    Vavoom

    Veranda Fiesta

    Violet's Pride

  • Anna's Promise

    Ch Ching

    Cherry Parfait

    Gold Struck

    Lasting Peace

    Radiant Perfume

  • Coral Drift

    Peach Drift

    Popcorn Drift

    White Drift® 

  • Abbaye de Cluny

    Barbra Streisand

    Best Kept Secret

    Bewitched

    Big Momma

    Black Baccara

    Blue Girl

    Brandy

    Bronze Star

    California Dreamin

    Centennial Star

    Cherries & Champagne

    Chicago Peace

    Chris Evert

    Chrysler Imperial

    Cinnamon Dolce

    Dark Knight

    Dee-lish

    Dolly Parton

    Double Delight

    Eleganza Beverly

    Elizabeth Taylor

    Elle

    Enchanted Peace

    Eternal Flame

    Falling in Love

    Firefighter

    First Prize

    Fragrant Cloud

    Gina Lollobrigida

    Heavenly Scented

    Heirloom

    Henry Fonda

    Honor

    In the Mood

    Ingrid Bergman

    Ink Spots

    John F. Kennedy

    Just Joey

    Lasting Love

    Legends

    Let Freedom Ring

    Love and Peace

    Love at First Sight

    Love's Promise

    Marilyn Monroe

    Mellow Yellow

    Memorial Day

    Mercury Rising

    Miss All American Beauty

    Mister Lincoln

    Moonstone

    Neil Diamond

    Neptune

    New Zealand

    Oklahoma

    Olympiad

    Opening Night

    Oregold

    Over the Moon

    Papa Meilland

    Parfuma Bliss

    Peace

    Perfume Delight

    Perfume Factory

    Peter Mayle

    Pope John Paul II

    Pretty Lady Rose

    Queen Mary 2

    Rio Samba

    Secret

    Secret's Out

    Sedona

    St Patrick

    Stainless Steel

    Sterling Silver

    Stiletto

    Sugar Moon

    Sunbelt Savannah

    Sunset Celebration

    The McCartney Rose

    Tiffany

    Tropicana

    Valencia

    Veteran's Honor

    Voodoo

    WW2 Memorial

  • Cutie Pie

    Cecile Brunner

    Hot & Sassy

    Ruby Ruby

    Sunblaze Amber

    Sunblaze Autumn

    Sunblaze Candy

    Sunblaze Lemon

    Sunblaze Mandarin

    Sunblaze Rainbow

    Sunblaze Salmon

  • We do not currently have any varieties at this time.

  • Double Knockout

    Home Run

    Knockout Double Pink

    Knockout Double Red

    Knockout Orange Glow

    Knockout White

    Oranges n' Lemons

    Party Hardy

    Pillow Fight

    Purple Pavement

    Sultry Night

    Top Gun

    Winnipeg Parks