Roses
Species (Sp)
Often referred to as “wild roses,” species roses are usually single-petaled (4-8 petals), once-blooming and have a bush size ranging from 2 to 20 feet. They are listed according to their Latin name, beginning with R. for Rosa and can have common synonyms.
Hesperhodos
Hulthermia
Platyrhodon
Rosa
Banksianae
Bracteatae
Carolinae
Caninae
Caninae Canina
Rubiginosae
Villosae
Cassiorhodon or Cinnamomeae
Chinenses
Gymnocarpae
Laevigatae
Pimpinellifoliae
Rosa Gallica
Synstylae
Old Garden
Old Garden existed prior to 1867, the year of introduction of the very first hybrid tea, ‘La France’. Within this generic definition, a number of popular subdivisions exist based on natural historical developments and characteristics. The flower form can be quartered, cupped, imbricated or expanded, reflexed, globular or compact. After an initial spring crop of blooms, some varieties may produce no more flowers the rest of year, but their hip production does add a different kind of beauty to the garden. The beauty of the old garden roses often lies in the heavy fragrance they can impart to the garden.
Once Blooming
Alba (A)
Alba roses are an ancient group that dates back to Roman times and include historic gems such as The White Rose of York and The Jacobite rose. Analysis has shown them to be hybrids of Rosa canina and Rosa gallica. Albas produce strong growing shrubs with wonderfully scented white to pale pink flowers amid pale grey green foliage. Tolerant of shade and poor soils they are always a welcome addition in any garden.
Ayrshire (Ar)
This group of climbing, sprawling roses originated in Scotland and are once blooming.
Boursalt (Bslt)
This is a small group of thornless rambling-type, once-blooming roses developed by the French gardener who gave his name to the class.
Centifolia (C)
These Dutch hybridized roses derive their class name from the fact that the flowers often contain more than 100 petals. Plants are 4 to 8 feet tall, winter hardy and are once blooming. They are also referred to as “cabbage roses” and are featured in Dutch flower paintings of the 17th century.
Damask (D)
These roses are best known for their intense heavy fragrance. Plants generally range in size from 3 to 6 feet. Some varieties are repeat blooming.
Hybrid Bracteata (HBc)
Hybrid Gallica (HGal)
These plants are small, 3 to 4 feet tall, and are winter hardy. Blooms are fragrant, come in brilliant colors, and are once blooming.
Hybrid Sempervirens (HSem)
Hybrid Setigera (HSet)
Hybrid Spinosissima (Hspn)
Miscellaneous Old Garden Roses (Misc OGR)
Repeat Flowering
Bourbon (B) / Climbing Bourbon (Cl B)
Developed from the hybrid chinas, these were the first repeat-flowering roses. They derive their name from the location of the first members of the class, the Ile de Bourbon in the Indian Ocean. Plant size can range from 2 to 15 feet tall. Repeat blooming.
Climbing Bourbon (Cl B)
Bourbon (B)
China (C) / Climbing China (Cl Ch)
This group’s most important characteristic is its ability to repeat bloom. The plants are variable in height, with relatively few thorns. They are generally winter-tender, not surviving well below USDA zone 7. The flowers tend to be borne in small clusters. China roses originated in Southeast Asia and are one of the most important historical groups of roses.
Climbing China (Cl Ch)
China (C)
Hybrid China (HCh) / Climbing Hybrid China (Cl HCh)
Climbing Hybrid China (Cl HCh)
Hybrid China (HCh)
Hybrid Eglanteria (HEg)
Hybrid Foetida (HFt)
Hybrid Multiflora (HMult)
Hybrid Perpetual (HP) / Climbing Hybrid Perpetual (CL HP)
Popular during the 19th century, these roses are characterized by their repeat bloom, plant size (about six feet tall, upright), fragrance and color range (mostly pinks and reds).
Climbing Hybrid Perpetual (Cl HP)
Hybrid Perpetual (HP)
Moss (M) / Climbing Moss (Cl M)
Named for the mossy thorn growth on the peduncle just below the bloom and sepals, this group releases a pine-scented oleoresin when the moss is rubbed between the fingers. Plants are generally winter hardy and 3 to 6 feet tall. Some varieties are repeat blooming.
Climbing Moss (Cl M)
Moss (M)
Noisette (N)
This classification originated in the United States by Philippe Noisette of Charleston, SC, who later introduced them in France when he moved there in 1817. Plants are large and sprawling, often reaching up to 20 feet tall. Blooms are produced in fragrant clusters.
Portland (P)
This small group of roses was derived from crosses involving hybrid gallica, damask, centifolia and hybrid china. They are small in stature, usually 4 feet tall, repeat blooming and have very short peduncles. This class was named in honor of the Duchess of Portland.
Tea (T) / Climbing Tea (Cl T)
Characterized as variable in height, with some of the best cultivars being Climbing Teas. Teas have large blooms on weak stems, resulting in drooping, or nodding, flowers. This group is one of the immediate ancestors of the modern Hybrid Tea. Tea roses are relatively winter-tender. They grow best when only lightly pruned.
Climbing Tea (Cl T)
Tea (T)
Modern
The era of modern roses was established in 1867 with the introduction of the first hybrid tea, ‘La France’, by the French breeder Guillot. This variety was considered unique for a number of important horticultural reasons. First, it possessed the general habit of a hybrid perpetual as well as the elegant shaped buds and free-flowering character of a tea rose. By the late 20th century, more than 10,000 hybrid teas had been bred with great success. The introduction of ‘La France’ heralded the era of modern roses. Breeders were quick to recognize that planned parenthood could evolve new flower forms, size, growth habit and colors. Therefore, the following new classifications based on growth habit evolved.
Floribunda (F) / Climbing Floribunda (Cl F)
Climbing Floribunda (Cl F)
Floribunda
Grandiflora (Gr) / Climbing Grandiflora (Cl Gr)
Climbing Grandiflora (Cl Gr)
Grandiflora (Gr)
Hybrid Gigantea (HG)
Hybrid Tea (HT) / Climbing Hybrid Tea (Cl HT)
Climbing Hybrid Tea (HT)
Hybrid Tea (HT)
Hybrid Wichurana (HWich)
Large Flowered Climber (LCl)
Miniature (Min) / Climbing Miniature (Cl Min Fl)
Climbing Miniature (Cl Min Fl)
Miniature (Min)
Miniflora (Min Fl) / Climbing Miniflora (Cl Min Fl)
Climbing Miniflora (Cl Min Fl)
Miniflora (Min Fl)
Modern Shrub
Hybrid Kordessi (HKor)
Hybrid Moyesii (HMoy)
Hybrid Musk (HMsk)
Hybrid Rugosa (HRg)
Shrub (S)
Polyantha (Pol) / Climbing Polyantha (Cl Pol)
Climbing Polyantha (Cl Pol)
Polyantha (Pol)
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