With show-stopping blooms and intoxicating fragrance, roses are a tried and true favorite. The rose, according to fossil evidence, is 35 million years old. Their cultivation began some 5,000 years ago, probably in China. During the seventeenth century, roses were in such high demand that royalty considered roses or rose water as legal tender, and they were often used as barter and for payments. Since then, roses have remained a symbol of love, youth, and passion. The popularity of the rose has given rise to the thousands of varieties that are now available on the market. Here are 6 beautiful varieties that will help you see why the rose is a long-time favorite world-wide.
Celestial Night
A Floribunda Rose with big, double-ruffled, deep plum-colored blooms. It is disease-resistant, and grows up to 4 ft tall by 3 ft wide, creating a nice, rounded bush for attractive, low-maintenance landscaping.
Rio Samba
This is honestly one of the prettiest roses I’ve ever laid my eyes on. The blooms are huge and remind me of a summer sunset. It’s a hybrid tea variety. The color of the flowers change as the flower matures. When they first open, the petals are golden-yellow, often with red edges. As they mature, flowers turn shades of pink and orange. The flowers bloom and mature at different times, so a single bush can look like it has many color flowers on it. Flowers are on a long stem, making them perfect for cut arrangements.
Mister Lincoln
A very well-known hybrid tea rose with 4-6 inch deep red/hot pink blooms. It’s extremely fragrant – smells like a mix of rose and melon! On average, it grows 5 ft tall. Flowers are on a long stem, making them perfect for cut arrangements.
Coral Knock Out
Abundant and continuous flowers from spring through fall. All of the Knock Out Roses are self-cleaning so there is no need to deadhead. Plant them individually as a focal point, among other shrubs, or in large groups to create a colorful hedge. For best performance, cut back in early spring after the last threat of frost.
Rosa Oso Easy
The name is very fitting because this rose is oh-so-easy to grow! It blooms continuously for months, from early summer through hard frost, and it’s disease and heat resistant. Deadheading is not necessary.
Sunny Knock Out
This rose has bright yellow flowers that fade quickly to a pastel cream color. They are extremely fragrant, and make a superb low hedge.
Sources:
University of Illinois Extension
Roses, Their History, Development and Cultivation by Joseph Hardwick Pemberton
The Rose: A Treatise on the Cultivation, History, Family Characteristics by Henry Brooks Ellwange
