Performances of different types of roses should be evaluated. The most common classifications of modern roses today are hybrid tea, floribunda, grandiflora, climber, miniature and shrub roses. These descended in part from eight species of roses which came to Europe from Asia in the 16th century. They became the modern hybrids, principally because they were able to bloom repeatedly throughout the growing season. Most of the other species only bloom once, in June or July.
Hybrid Teas are the most popular garden roses. They are results of interbreeding the hybrid perpetual with tea rose cultivars. Hybrid tea roses are typically characterized as bush form with large flowers, borne singly or in small clusters on a stem. Hybrid tea plants are quite hardy across North Carolina, and bloom throughout the summer and fall until frost.
Floribunda roses are a result of crossing Polyantha with hybrid tea varieties during the early 20th century. Generally, they have smaller flowers than hybrid teas, but produce more flowers on each stem. Floribundas are usually low-growing, densely branched bushes which are quite adaptable to many landscape uses. Color range from snowy white to deep crimson.
Grandiflora roses originated by crossing hybrid tea and floribunda roses. The resulting rose is quite vigorous, and produces larger, but fewer flowers than the floribunda.
Climbing roses originated by crossing species roses with several other cultivars. While no rose is a true climber, having no means of gripping or attaching itself to a support, this rose sends out long shoots or canes which can be trained over fences, arbors, or trellises. Because of the wide genetic background, climbers have quite a variation of characteristics. Some bloom only once, while others bloom continuously. Some have large, hybrid tea type blooms, while others bloom in small clusters.
Miniature roses have become quite popular with home gardeners in the last 10-15 years. The plants are small in stature, ranging in height from 3 to 12", and have small buds, stems, foliage, and flowers. Several species are popular as both outdoor landscape plants and indoor potted plants. Miniature roses are available in a wide range of colors. They are hardy in most of North Carolina.
Shrub roses generally don't fit well in any of the previously mentioned classes. They have a varied genetic background but are characterized by the bushy, shrub-like form. Shrub roses are vigorous, hardy, and are adapted to a wide landscape use.
Soils: Just about any soil in North Carolina will require either physical or chemical amendments before planting, so one can do a thorough job. Roses require good drainage. To provide this characteristic it might be necessary to prepare a 'raised bed'. Extreme cases may require the addition of drainage tile to carry away excess water. Since roses are expected to last several years one should take extra time and effort in bed preparation. The soil should be tilled to a depth of 8-12" with lime added to adjust the pH up to the 5.5 or 6 range. Various forms of sulfur can be added to lower the pH of alkaline soils. Organic matter such as decayed sawdust, pine bark, compost or manure may be added to soils to improve the tilth.
Planting: For best results planting should be done in the early spring or in the fall. [Roses at the highest elevations in the mountains {> 3500' elevation} should normally be spring planted.] If individual roses are to be planted, the hole should be large enough so roots can be spread out in the hole. A good plant will require a hole 12" deep and 18" wide. Broken roots should be pruned and the top portion cut back to 5-7". Before putting soil back around the roots be sure roots are loose and not pot bound. The backfill should contain native soil and not just prepared media. Roots then will grow out into the native soil and provide a better moisture relationship. Plants should be mounded slightly higher than "grade level". The soil should be tamped down to eliminate any air pockets. Watering during planting will also aid in this step.
Mulch: As in any landscape planting, mulch will provide aid during stress periods. Holding moisture, discouraging weeds, and preventing soil crusting, are a few added benefits of a 3-4" layer of organic matter. Disease problems can be decreased if the mulch is replaced each spring.
Fertilization: A tendency for many new rose growers is to over-fertilize newly planted roses. Generally speaking, a commercial grade 10-10-10 or 8-8-8 fertilizer at the rate of 2-3 lbs. per 100 sq. ft. is adequate. This can be applied in 2 applications early in the growing season. The addition of cow manure as a supplement is also advised. When the buds begin to form, apply another application of 10-10-10 or equivalent at the rate of 1-2 lbs/100 sq. ft. Repeat this application every 4 weeks or until mid August.
Watering: When rose plants don't get a weekly soaking by natural rainfall, supplemental irrigation will be necessary. Typical North Carolina summers require this extra irrigation. An excellent system would be the soaker hose. This provides moisture to the root system while keeping foliage dry. If an overhead system is used, a morning irrigation would be recommended as the foliage would have time to dry, and lessen the possibilities of black spot or powdery mildew infections.
Pruning: Pruning could be one of the most important and necessary steps in growing roses. Correct pruning will improve the overall shape, promote new, healthier growth, and eliminate dead, broken, or diseased canes. Most of the annual pruning in North Carolina should be done in the spring, just as the buds break dormancy. [This could be late February on Emerald Isle or late April in Laurel Springs.] The most important thing is to look at the buds. The gardener who prunes too early will gamble future growth to frost, and one who prunes too late will have a plant weakened by loss of sap. So watch for the buds, when they begin to swell, go ahead and prune. Spring pruning also allows for removal of wood which was damaged by the winter. This is helpful in the overall shaping of the rose. The height of the plant can be controlled by pruning, and even after a severe pruning new canes will usually grow to the desired height.
Sharp pruning shears are necessary. Pruning cuts should be clean and at a slant. The wood should be removed about 1/4 inch above an outside bud. Be sure to cut a cane down to a point where the cross-section shows no sign of discoloration. Periodically dip the pruning shears in a 70% alcohol solution to decrease spread of disease organisms. Tree roses are pruned primarily for shape, thus requiring severe pruning cuts. Climbers are pruned according to class. The spring flowering ramblers are pruned immediately after blooming. The old wood is removed to stimulate new growth which will flower the next year. Many climbers are pruned to be kept within a basic boundary with the older canes pruned. Corrective pruning and pruning diseased canes should be done as soon as necessary. [See illustration below.]
The rewards for all this work can be beautiful flowers which can be cut and also enjoyed inside. Care should be taken not to damage rose canes when flowers are removed. First year roses should be allowed to bloom and not received continuous cutting. After the rose bush matures the flowers can be cut regularly.
It is not possible to list all the cultivars of roses on the market today, but the most popular are listed. Before making a selection, research the hardiness for your particular area in rose catalogues and check descriptions and ratings of the "All America" winners.
Hybrid teas
Americana-red Hawaii-orange-coral
American Heritage-salmon Helen Traubel-pink
blend becoming salmon Invitation-salmon-pink
Apollo-yellow John F. Kennedy-white
Arizona-copper King's Ransom-yellow
Arlene Frances-yellow Matterhorn-white
Bahia-orange blend Medallion-apricot
Bewitched-phiox-pink Miss All American Beauty-pink
Big Red-red Mister Lincoln-dark red
Blanche Mallerin-white Mojave-apricot-orange
Bon Bon-rose-pink New Yorker-bright scarlet
Candy Stripe-pink Nocturne-cardinal-red
Charlotte Oregold-
Armstrong-reds lemon-yellow
Chicago Peach-phlox-pink Pascali-creamy white
Christian Dior-crimson Peace-yellow
Chrysler Imperial-crimson red Perfume Delight-pink
Confidence-light pink Pink Peace-deep pink
Command Performance- Polynesian Sunset-
orange-red coral-orange
Crimson Glory-crimson Portrait-creamy white
Eclipse-golden yellow Rose Parade-light
coral-pink
Eiffel Tower-medium pink Royal Highness-light pink
Electron-rose-pink Show Girl-rose-pink
First Prize-pink blend Sincera-pure white
Fragrant Cloud-coral red Summer Sunshine-deep
yellow
Garden Party-yellow to white Sutter's Gold-golden orange
Granada-rose, red & Tiffany-pink
lemon yellow Tropicana-coral-orange
Gypsy-fiery orange-red War Dance-orange red
White Knight-clear white
World's Fair Salute-
crimson-red
Floribunda
Angel Face-rich lavender Europeana-dark crimson
Apricot Nectar-pink-apricot Fashion-coral-peach
Betty Prior-pink Fire King-scarlet
Circus-yellow marked pink Floradora-red
Golden Slippers-yellow Fusilier-orange-scarlet
Heat Wave-orange-scarlet Gay Princess-soft pink
Ivory Fashion-ivory-white Gene Boerner-soft pink
Lavender Girl-rosy purple Rumba-red, center yellow
Pinocchio-salmon Saratoga-white
Spartan-orange-red
The Farmer's Wife-sunrise
pink
Grandiflora
Aquarius-light pink Montezuma-orange-red
Camelot-shrimp pink Ole-red
Comanche-orange-red Pink Parfait-light pink
Golden Girl-golden yellow Queen Elizabeth-rose and
dawn pink
John S. Armstrong-red Scarlet Knight-
scarlet-crimson
Lucky Lady-clear pink
Climbing Roses
Don Juan - dark red Royal Sunset-apricot blend
New Dawn - light pink Sunday Best-red blend
Blaze - medium red Blossomtime-medium pink
Climbing Tropicana- White Dawn-white
orange blend Iceland Queen-white
Golden Showers-medium
yellow
Miniature Roses
Baby Darling-orange blend Pixie Rose-deep pink
Beauty Secret-red Little Buckeroo-medium red
Bo-Peep-medium pink Mary Marshall-orange
Candy Cane-red blend Toy Clown-red
Cinderella-white Tinker Bell-medium pink
Debbie-yellow blend Scarlet Gem-orange
Marilyn-light pink
Shrub Roses
Sea Foam-white Harrison's Yellow-yellow
The Fairy-pink Pink Grootendorst-pink
Sarah Van Fleet-pink Parkdirector Riggers-red