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Pink roses are feminine, soft, romantic...and my absolute favorite. So in this article, instead of listing the most popular pink roses on the market, I'm going to share the ones that I love the most. Here is a bouquet of two dozen pink roses from my garden to yours!
Pink roses run the gamut from palest blush though the deepest cerise. I have never seen one that I didn't like. So when I was choosing them to order last winter to be planted in my new rose garden in the spring, I had to find the ones I loved. The first consideration was hardiness because I live in zone 6 with some pretty brutal winds. I am exploring all of the different types[1], so no limitations there. The big, fluffy blooms always draw me, but I was determined to push my boundaries. Here is the end result.
'Moonstone' (1998, Carruth)* is a fragrant hybrid tea that is blushed pink at the outside of the petals. It is hardy to zone 4, unlike many hybrid teas that are iffy, even in zone 6. This one is very special to me because it was a gift from a DG friend who obviously knows what I love.
A hybrid rugosa that will rebloom, 'Polareis' (1963, Rieksta, aka 'Ritausma') will get very large, as much as 7' by 7'. It was planted with plenty of room to grow. I can't wait to see it get huge. It has absolutely gorgeous blossoms in clusters. I was sold on this one the first time I saw a photo of it posted by a fellow DG member on the Rose forum.
Dating from 1797, 'Maiden's Blush' (1797, Kew) is an Alba that should reach about 5'. There is also a 'Great Maiden's Blush' that is very similar but somewhat larger. This rose is a summer once-bloomer and just planted last spring, so it hasn't had a chance to bloom yet in my garden. The gorgeous photo is courtesy of my DG friend hortensia, and one of the reasons I purchased this rose. It is hardy to zone 4 and very fragrant.
'Freckles' (1976, Buck) is a shrub rose from Dr. Griffith Buck who is responsible for so many hardy and disease resistant cultivars. The very cute name comes from the little speckles on the petals that you may be able to see in this picture. With large blooms on a smallish bush (about 3' x 3'), 'Freckles' was in constant bloom for me all season and is hardy to zone 4.
A sweet little shrub, 'Happy Memories' (2002, Amanda Beales) was purchased on sale late in the season and planted in September last year. Consequently it only had a few blooms. So I am looking forward to clusters of these light pink, cupped, smaller blooms on a 2' by 2' bush this year.
One of my very favorite roses of any color, 'Miami Moon' (2000, Carruth) is just amazing to me. It's very first season it was extremely floriferous, with huge blooms that change color as they age. At any given time there were 20 blossoms on this floribunda in shades of pink and coral fading to cream. I expect a mature height of 4' to 5'. It is hardy only to zone 6, but I am willing to baby it and give it a little extra winter protection to be sure it makes it through the winter in my garden. This one rates two photos.
Oh, here's a good one! 'Sweet Sunblaze' (1987, Meilland) is a miniature with 1½" blooms on a bush that gets close to 3' by 3'. The blossoms are like a mini hybrid tea but grow in clusters. It has no scent to speak of (very mild), but blooms all summer with very little care. With excellent disease resistance and beautiful clear pink color that deepens with cooler weather, what's not to like? You will also enjoy the orange hips that develop in autumn.
In my Peace Garden there are currently two pinks, 'Pink Peace' (1959, Meilland) and 'Chicago Peace' (1962, Johnson), a pink/yellow blend. Both of these hybrid teas feature the huge, 5 to 6" blooms and lovely fragrance of their parent, the well-known 'Peace' rose. They are somewhat susceptible to black spot. 'Pink Peace' is listed as hardy to zone 5, while 'Chicago Peace' will only tough it out to zone 6.
Who wouldn't buy a rose of a type called Romantica? 'Yves Piaget' (1985, Meilland) is a typical Romantica with 80 petals to a bloom in a deep, clear pink. Hardy to zone 5, I expect it to mature at about 3' in height. It was close to that last summer, in almost constant bloom and sweetly fragrant.
'My Wild Irish Rose' (2004, McCann) is a climber (to 7') that is one of the roses I bought to break out of my "floofy rose" habit. "Floofy" is a technical term I picked up on the Rose Forum meaning a large, fluffy, many-petaled rose. This is a lovely single with between four and eleven petals on it's pink blooms with yellow eyes. Planted late in the season, it was still small, but I optimistically bought an obelisk for it to climb. I'm quite taken with it. It's hardy to zone 5. I try to stick with those that will take zone 5 or lower winters when I can. I want them to have a better chance of survival if I neglect to give them the winter protection I know they should have.
I bought the shrub rose 'Royal Bonica' (1994, Meilland) for my cottage garden, mainly because it is supposed to have outstanding disease resistance. It also sets hips which are winter food for the birds. The fact that it has pretty, double blooms that repeat all season is a huge bonus. This plant is hardy to zone 4 and will grow to be about 5' by 5'.
Another hybrid tea... I had planned on only a few because they are extra work; generally not as hardy or disease resistant as some of the other groups. 'Touch of Class' (1984, Kriloff) was one that I couldn't resist. It's a pink that looks like it is frosted with silver on the reverse of the petals, just like it looks in the ads. With large blooms on long stems that are perfect for cutting, the bush should get to be 6' to 7' tall. It was close to 5' last fall. The fragrance is very mild and it is susceptible to mildew, but with the stunning color and form this rose can be forgiven almost anything.
'Just For You' (1990, Moore) is a beautiful deep pink mini from Ralph Moore, the father of the miniature rose. No question that Mr. Moore knows what he is doing. This rose is described as having "perfect exhibition form."[2] It is disease resistant, hardy to zone 5, mildly fragrant and has 35 petals packed into it's 1½" blooms. A very enjoyable rose altogether at the front of the bed at about 15" to 18" tall.
One of the OGR's (Old Garden Roses), 'Joasine Hanet' (1847, Vibert) is a Portland with heavy, quartered, 3" blooms on a 4', spreading plant. It reblooms throughout the season and is very fragrant.
Mini 'Doris Bennett' (2001, Moore) is another creation of hybridizer Ralph Moore. This one is very full, about 41 petals, with a completely different look than 'Just For You' mentioned above. It is flatter with an almost carnation-like appearance, born in clusters on a spreading, one foot bush throughout the season. The stems are almost thornless.
'Yolande d'Aragon' (1843, Vibert) is a hybrid perpetual, also an OGR. Known as "perpetual" because it reblooms, this one has a lot going for it; disease resistant, hardiness (zone 4!), fragrance, fully double 3" blooms. It will be a good-sized plant, 4' to 5' tall by 3' or more wide.
The next two are "remembrance" roses for me. 'Mother's Rose' (2001, Zary), a lovely hybrid tea, was planted in memory of my mother. A floribunda named 'Rosemary Rose' (1954, De Ruiter) was included to honor my mother-in-law.
It goes without saying that you can never have enough roses, particularly pink ones. So with that in mind, I have ordered several for spring delivery. I don't have photographs of my own to share yet, so I'm borrowing some wonderful photos from PlantFiles (please note credits to individual DG members).
'Chapeau du Napoleon' (1827, Vibert)
'Gertrude Jekyll' (1986, Austin)
'Heritage' (1984, Austin)
Photo credit: 12344
Photo credit: Calif_Sue
Photo credit: tristebella
I promised you two dozen and I'm one short. See what you think about this one. 'Champagne Cocktail' (1983, Horner) is a loosely double floribunda that is listed as a yellow blend. At some times it looks as if a yellow rose has had deep pink lipstick blotted on the edges of all the petals. But at other times the flush of lipstick pink covers about 90% of the petal. It is hardy to zone 6, blooms in flushes all season, has a mature height of about 5' and a strong fragrance. To me this is a pink rose.
So that's it. I am so looking forward to spring in my rose garden. Hope you enjoyed them as much as I do.
[1] For an explanation of the different types of roses, please read this excellent article by Paul Rodman (paulgrow).
[2] This is a quote from 'The Uncommon Rose' web site where I purchased this rose. They are no longer in business.
* (Year of introduction, Hybridizer)
** The rose in the thumbnail is another favorite, 'Sexy Rexy' (1984, McGredy), a floribunda.
All photographs not otherwise identified were taken by the author in her garden.
About Jan Recchio
I'm a 'dabble' gardener. Been gardening for over 40 years. I will plant anything that will grow for me and some things that won't, indoors or out. Outdoors I have theme gardens: roses, butterfly/hummingbird, heathers/dwarf conifers, a rock garden (in progress) and a new English-style cottage garden with an herb garden at it's 'heart'. Indoors I try to concentrate on orchids, African violets, anything that will flower or has lots of color and unusual houseplants. I try to stay organic and keep chemicals to a bare minimum. My non-gardening interests include quilting, counted cross-stitch and watercolor painting. I am a proud grandma and before my recent retirement, I was a clinical systems analyst (computer geek) for 24 years.
Posted by banzaibetty (from Kootenays
(Canada)) on March 23, 2008 at 11:57 AM:
Hi Jan
As a collector you may be interested in this cultivar (one of my faves!)The "Morden Centennial Rose" was honoured with the "Outstanding Cultivar Award" by the Canadian Society for Horticultural Science back in '96. These hardy roses were developed in Manitoba as an attractive garden accent that would also be able to survive cold Canadian winters.
I've worked with them for years and their spectacular show they put on year after year is quite impressive. They have deep green, glossy foliage and are quite resistant to powdery mildew and blackspot.
In the fall they put out large orange globuse hips.
Being specifically a "pink" rose fanatic, I thought you'd enjoy!
Below are some stats and a web link:
Hardiness zone 2
Maximum height 1m / 3¼'
Maximum width 1m / 3¼'
Fragrant plants Yes
Notes : Very hardy that may kill to snowline but will come back from the crown. Pink, light scent double 4" flowers on old or new wood, singly or in clusters up to 15. Develops into a large floriferous shrub with excellent disease resistance.
Posted by grampapa (from Wheatfield, NY) on March 23, 2008 at 10:04 PM:
Hi, Betty. Thanks so much for the suggestion. 'Morden Centennial' is indeed a gorgeous rose and I have added it to my wish list. I already have 'Hope for Humanity', another Parkland, on my list.
~ jan
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Subject: Roses, roses and more roses!
Posted by wabzy (from Islip, NY) on March 17, 2008 at 5:24 PM:
I am a pink rose addict and I share only the Heritage rose with Jan's collection and it is an amazingly wonderful performer! I am wondering if you have ever heard of a pink beauty called "Jadis"? I grew it about 25 years ago and then moved and had to leave it behind. I would love to add it to my "Floofy" rose collection, although it is a sleek hybrid tea.
I also grow many roses of differing types and I will tell you that here, on Long Island in NY, the premier performer in my garden is a pinky named "Our Lady of Lourdes". It is unflappable! It is gorgeous and a prolific bloomer, not prone to disease or insects. Try it! I know you will love it.
I am just now getting back to the Rugosa types, having decided to devote a portion of my garden to native plants, which will include the rugosa types, bayberries, bluerries, dusty miller, etc. I am basically in a beachy location and have to watch for black spot. Last summer, my rugosas were attacked by brown scale, which had gotten on them from an infested locust tree. I had to wash it off lovingly with soap and water. The roses are fine! I would love to hear from opthers about their roses! Also, I have trouble attracting hummingbirds to my yard. Can anyone advise me when to put feeders out? There are always flowers so I am at a loss as to what to do! Thanks!
...
Posted by grampapa (from Wheatfield, NY) on March 17, 2008 at 9:31 PM:
wabzy, I took a look to see if I could locate a vendor for your 'Jadis'. I went to HelpMeFind-Roses and I found it at 3 places.
I also wanted to look at your 'Our Lady of Lourdes'. But I can't find it anywhere on the web. Can you tell me more about it? Where did you get it? I'm intrigued :0)
re: hummingbirds...I put my feeders out sometime around the end of April. here's a link to a map where they mark sightings for hummer migrations so you can track their northward movement. Then you'll have an idea when to expect them in your area.
Posted by wabzy (from Islip, NY) on May 5, 2008 at 8:08 AM:
grampapa! Thanks so much for your interest in my quest for jadis! I apologize for not getting back to you sooner but I assure you that your efforts are greatly appreciated! I also found another favorite, Teasing Georgia, a yellow full petalled shrub rose which I already have growing beautifully in my garden! I just think I NEED another!
Thanks, too, for the hummingbird informations. I found that site very interesting and infornmative. This must be the year I finally lure them into my yard! Thanks again, grampapa. You know your stuff!
I noticed someone expressing unhappiness with Ashdown this year, I couldn't comment there because I am not a paying client here but I, too, have recieved a very disapponting order just this past Friday and I intend to return it. The four roses I ordered in two gallon containers have a root system which fits into a pint sized plastic bag. This is not worth $20 after the shipping is added in. Previous orders have been fine and the people there are lovely. I feel as if I received cuttings and the instructions say to pot them in a 2 gallon pot for 8 weeks. Sorry, Ashdown, that is double the work for me and my expense of potting soil as well.
Well, Rose lovers this is always a delight to start the day! Happy rosing! Isn't it fun!?
...
Posted by grampapa (from Wheatfield, NY) on May 5, 2008 at 7:20 PM:
I don't have my Ashdown order yet, but I'm not looking forward to it now. I hoping they are not all like that.
...
Posted by wabzy (from Islip, NY) on May 12, 2008 at 8:27 AM:
Granpapa,
You can get Our Lady of Lourdes from Jackson and Perkins. They aren't my favorite supplier but if you see the rose at a nursery and can hand pick it, do so. It is happy, beautiful and carefree!
The Ashdown rose situation is bad. A call proved unsatisfying and I am stuck with these "cuttings" in plastic baggies. I should have bought full sized Rugosas for $9 at a local nursery. I doubt I will buy from Ashdown again. Too much different an attitude since their expansion. I hope you have better luck.
I didn't buy the Jadis for this season because I simply have no room! It's top on my list for next year! Thanks for helping me locate the sources! Well, I am off to batten down a newly purchase group of lovely perennials. A Nor'easter expected today so I will move the plants onto the porch with the help of my two trusty Shelties! Thanks, Granpapa! I hope your experience with Ashdown is better than mine!
...
Posted by grampapa (from Wheatfield, NY) on May 12, 2008 at 10:52 AM:
It's really too bad about your Ashdown order. Word gets around pretty fast here.
...
Posted by wabzy (from Islip, NY) on May 12, 2008 at 10:57 PM:
Yes, I decided to call Ashdown back and tell them I will return the unsatisfactory order. It just isn'tt right to pay $80 dollars and then be expected to pot these in two gallon pots, using my potting soil, and then put them in the garden. I want a refund. I just advised a person named Dovey who had not received her Ashdown order at the time of her post and I expressed my disappointment to her, too. I think Ashdown grew too fast to keep up with everything. Maybe it will improve but in the meanwhile they will have to do it without using me to pay their way. Happy gardening,grampapa!
...
Posted by grampapa (from Wheatfield, NY) on May 14, 2008 at 9:15 AM:
thanks for the info. I'll have to ask dovey what she decided to do.
...
Subject: The rose I didn't know about but love...
Posted by MistyPetals (from North Augusta, SC) on March 17, 2008 at 12:12 AM:
My Mermaid rose arrived on Friday. Oh, how I looooooooove the singles. And, I see that same quality in the My Wild Irish Rose cultivar which I just learned of in your article. Now, I want one.
Tell me, is there a cure for rose lust?
Thanks for sharing. Enjoy your beauties!
...
Posted by grampapa (from Wheatfield, NY) on March 17, 2008 at 7:26 AM:
Misty, if there's a cure I don't want it LOL (isn't there a song about that?). I can't wait for 'My Wild Irish Rose' to get bigger and see it covered with those wonderful blooms (sigh..). You must have a lot of space. Isn't 'Mermaid' one of those 'eat your house' climbers? I hope we'll see pics when she blooms??
~ jan
...
Posted by wabzy (from Islip, NY) on March 17, 2008 at 5:28 PM:
Why get cured, Misty? Flowers are love so keep on adding to your collection!.....wabzy
...
Posted by MistyPetals (from North Augusta, SC) on March 19, 2008 at 8:27 PM:
Gram-Jan, yes, I do have some space. There's an eyesore house next to my beloved home and I am trying not to see it. Ordered another Mermaid today. There, that oughta do it. Talk about the great cover-up. LOL
Wabzy, Flowers are love, I like that! I think I'll make something nice with those words on it, I remember a couple years ago, I had fun with the iron-on heat transfers and t-shirts. Up in NY and in good spirits? Nice! I can say it only because I'm a snow bird who relocated to SC, not so long ago.
This message was edited Mar 19, 2008 8:44 PM
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Posted by grampapa (from Wheatfield, NY) on March 19, 2008 at 9:50 PM:
Misty, your new view should be beautiful!
...
Posted by MistyPetals (from North Augusta, SC) on March 27, 2008 at 10:29 PM:
As the hockey coach taught his beginners, that's the goal. (LOL)
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Subject: Absolutely wonderful.
Posted by drapelady (from Denham Springs, LA) on March 16, 2008 at 9:24 PM:
Thankyou Jan. I too have started a pink rose garden. I am going to tag this article in my favorites because it is so good. Thanks again for all the info and for putting together all of these beautiful photos.
Debbie
...
Posted by grampapa (from Wheatfield, NY) on March 16, 2008 at 10:14 PM:
Debbie, thank you for the nice comments.
~ jan
...
Subject: In pursuit of the pinks...
Posted by JaxFlaGardener (from Jacksonville, FL) on March 16, 2008 at 5:48 PM:
Wonderful article, Jan! I've only recently embarked on having a rose garden, using bargain rack roses (with only a few named cultivar varieties) but the rose garden so far is doing well and I'm inspired by my limited success and your bravada rosa garden to want to get more roses of better quality and see what I can do with them.
I'm on the opposite end of the zone problem and need to find roses that can withstand the heat of summer in zone 9a and don't need to worry at all about winter conditions.
I have about 200 'Knock Out Blush' roses that I tend in my assigned garden at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens. I'm hoping to get permission (or just sneak 'em in and beg forgiveness) to plant some other rose varieties in the same shade of pink as 'KO Blush.' I like the Knock Outs, but feel like I'm ready for more of a challenge.
Thanks for giving me the courage to go for it!
(the rose in the photo was labeled as 'Kordes Perfecta' -- a struggling cull that I bought for a few pennies and got some nice blooms this year)
Jeremy
...
Posted by grampapa (from Wheatfield, NY) on March 16, 2008 at 8:48 PM:
Hi, Jeremy. Your 'Kordes Perfecta' is a beauty. there's nothing wrong with a bargain :0) couldn't you get something that would contrast with the KO's? It would be tough to match the shade of pink. Good luck! Let me know if I can help in any way.
~ jan
...
Posted by JaxFlaGardener (from Jacksonville, FL) on March 16, 2008 at 10:59 PM:
I think my supervisors/plant selectors would balk at anything that upsets the pink/purple/chartreuse color scheme they have going in "my" garden (so very nice to have a 1.8 million dollar garden that cost me nothing except hard labor to help with the actual planting!). I think I could get by with some fairly close KO Blush pink color matches, even if they weren't the exact color. The KOs themselves can have some variations in color from one plant to another (I sometimes get a "sport" limb that reverts back to the original red on some of the roses!). I have a couple of pink roses already, miniature cluster roses, that I think would match up fairly well.
If you are ever this way, stop in and see the wonderful zoo gardens! (Oh, we do also have exotic animals on exhibit, but I barely notice with all the wonderful plants around. LOL)
Jeremy
...
Posted by grampapa (from Wheatfield, NY) on March 17, 2008 at 7:31 AM:
Oh, the minis in close shades are a great idea. You are going to do an article on the zoo gardens, aren't you? I NEED to see pics. I would really love to see 'your' zoo. We have a nice zoo in Buffalo, but the emphasis is on the animals, not so much on the plants LOL.
...
Posted by JaxFlaGardener (from Jacksonville, FL) on March 17, 2008 at 9:16 AM:
I do have a series of articles planned about the zoo gardens, beginning with "my" garden that was completed last September, then moving through the gardens of South America, Africa, tropical entrance at Main Camp, Play Park, and ending with the Asia Gardens that are expected to be completed about this time next year. The last one will be interesting because I will be here to observe and document each step of the construction and planting.
In the interim, I've noticed there are a few dozen videos of the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens on UTube (including one video of some pre-teens defying the"keep off the grass" signs and defiling my "Great Lawn" with a romp). I haven't had a chance to look through the videos, but I imagine they focus more on the animals and family members rather than the plants.
I may just sneak in some mini-pink roses to join the KO Blush so that I can gradually introduce my supervisors to a blend of rose varieties (and have the other roses well-established, hopefully before they notice, based on the "easier to get forgiveness than to get permission" doctrine. LOL)
Jeremy
...
Posted by grampapa (from Wheatfield, NY) on March 17, 2008 at 10:56 AM:
Jeremy, I'm really looking forward to the articles (LOTS of pics, please). That will be very cool if you can document the building of the Asia garden.
Good luck with your mini-rose project. I can't imagine that they would make you pull them out. Once you have them established they'll be so beautiful you might just get a suggestion from your supervisors to add some other varieties.
...
Subject: Great article!
Posted by Mary1NYS (from Sherrill, NY) on March 16, 2008 at 9:57 AM:
Thanks Jan for sharing such gorgeous photos! I really enjoyed reading about all your roses! I have Miami Moon coming this Spring!
...
Posted by grampapa (from Wheatfield, NY) on March 16, 2008 at 4:37 PM:
Hi, Mary. You will love Miami Moon. Can't wait to see some pics from your garden this spring.
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Subject: Pretty in Pink...
Posted by darius (from Marion, VA) on March 16, 2008 at 9:11 AM:
Just lovely! My mother grew roses in south Florida but I never got the hang of it.
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Posted by Eglantyne (from Gardiner, ME) on March 16, 2008 at 11:44 AM:
Ohhhhhh Jan,
this is such a great article especially this time of year for us northerner.As you know I am also a lover of pink roses :-) have to put some of yours on my wishlist ,
Brigitte
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Posted by Dea (from Frederick, MD) on March 16, 2008 at 1:41 PM:
Beautiful article and photos, another pink rose lover here.
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Subject: Gorgeous!!
Posted by doccat5 (from Fredericksburg, VA) on March 16, 2008 at 9:06 AM:
I'm not a big fan of pink roses, but those are some of the best I've seen in a long time! I'm quite interested in the Champagne Cocktail, like roses with those kind of "quirks".
Your going to have a such good time with all these lovelies very soon! Thanks for sharing.
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Posted by Pamgarden (from Central, VA) on March 16, 2008 at 3:32 PM:
I am a big fan of pink roses, especially the fragrant ones. Come to think of it, I'm a fan of most every color rose. I hope I get a chance to visit your garden one day.
...
Posted by grampapa (from Wheatfield, NY) on March 16, 2008 at 4:42 PM:
cat, you would love Champagne Cocktail. it's a beauty!
Pam, I'm with you...I haven't found a color I don't like, either. but if I HAD to pick a favorite, it would be pink. my garden is always open...come on up!
...
Posted by Pamgarden (from Central, VA) on March 17, 2008 at 10:15 AM:
Ooooh Jan, Wheatfield sounds so pastoral, and having seen a few pictures on DG, a visit to your garden would be a treat. You know that I have some of your seeds kindly sent by Critter. It'll be great to have flowers in my garden and to say that's from Jan's garden, that's from Jill's garden, that's from Becky's garden....
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Posted by grampapa (from Wheatfield, NY) on March 17, 2008 at 12:19 PM:
Pam, one of the delights of trading seeds here is linking them with the person who sent them. I have a NOID poppy that I call Celeste, and other plants that are named for the seed 'donor'. This year I sent collages to some folks of pics of 'their' plants growing in my garden.
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Posted by Pamgarden (from Central, VA) on March 21, 2008 at 3:24 PM:
That's a really nice idea. It would be great to be the giver and have the receiver name the flower for you. There's a poppy called Patti's Plum, I believe, named for the woman who found it in her compost pile. Keep shoveling!
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Subject: Especially love the photos!!!
Posted by Illoquin (from Indianapolis, IN) on March 16, 2008 at 1:54 AM:
Hi Jan,
I can hardly grow a rose here with the Japanese Beetles and all, but the pictures in your article are sooo pretty I may have to reconsider for this year! Only floofy roses need apply!
Suzy
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Posted by grampapa (from Wheatfield, NY) on March 16, 2008 at 2:28 AM:
I refuse to let the JB's get the best of me. They seem to have their favorites. I'm going to try planting a bunch of four o'clocks this year. They are supposed to attract JB's and also be toxic to them. Good luck :-)
~ jan
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Posted by grammyphoeb (from Upper Hudson Valley, NY) on March 16, 2008 at 5:31 AM:
Such beautiful roses Jan!! I loved them all and wish I had more room to grow them - I only have four! Eleanor
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Posted by pixie62560 (from South China, ME) on March 16, 2008 at 8:28 AM:
Jan, what a wonderful article! I'm so happy you mentioned the zones that they are hardy to. Now I know which one's I can try and which ones not to try. Of course you had me tempted last year but this year I have already bought one and am browsing for more.
I really like that "Moonstone" and had no idea it was hardy to zone 4!! Thats for the great info and the pictures are beautiful!!!
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Posted by Sharran (from Calvert City, KY) on March 16, 2008 at 11:51 AM:
Nice article, Jan. Love the photos.
This year will be my first for Roses, too. I hope mine turn out to be a lovely as yours.
Thanks.
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Posted by vossner (from Richmond, TX) on March 16, 2008 at 3:38 PM:
If you don't love roses before reading this article, you will certainly fall in love with them afterwards! Nicely done
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Posted by grampapa (from Wheatfield, NY) on March 16, 2008 at 4:40 PM:
Much thanks to all! the only thing that pleases me almost as much as my gardens is sharing them with others.
~ jan
ps pixie, we'll edge out a few of those dl's yet LOL
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Posted by carrielamont (from Milton, MA) on March 16, 2008 at 7:03 PM:
Oh, nooooooooooooo, I was trying to stay away from this article because I knew how tempted I would be. Jan, you did it again !! If only I had the space and the sun and the money and the time and .... I better read that fuggedaboutit article again! Thank you, especially for including the zone info (so I'm even more tempted!. ♫ ♫ ♫, Carrie
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Posted by grampapa (from Wheatfield, NY) on March 16, 2008 at 8:51 PM:
Carrie, just get one small one. How about a mini? you can do a mini. in a pot? c'mon...you know you want to.
~ jan
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Posted by pixie62560 (from South China, ME) on March 16, 2008 at 9:25 PM:
You are such a GOOD enabler!!
Ok we can strike a deal w/the Dl's, not a problem!
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Posted by carrielamont (from Milton, MA) on March 18, 2008 at 10:31 PM:
I have a rose in the sun (I just remembered) but it's so covered with other stuff i don't even know if it's there any more. Finding it will be this year's mission! xx. Carrie
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Posted by grampapa (from Wheatfield, NY) on March 19, 2008 at 10:27 AM:
Go get it, Carrie! You can earn your 'rose rescuer' badge.
'Moonstone' (1998, Carruth)* is a fragrant hybrid tea that is blushed pink at the outside of the petals. It is hardy to zone 4, unlike many hybrid teas that are iffy, even in zone 6. This one is very special to me because it was a gift from a DG friend who obviously knows what I love.
A hybrid rugosa that will rebloom, 'Polareis' (1963, Rieksta, aka 'Ritausma') will get very large, as much as 7' by 7'. It was planted with plenty of room to grow. I can't wait to see it get huge. It has absolutely gorgeous blossoms in clusters. I was sold on this one the first time I saw a photo of it posted by a fellow DG member on the Rose forum.
Dating from 1797, 'Maiden's Blush' (1797, Kew) is an Alba that should reach about 5'. There is also a 'Great Maiden's Blush' that is very similar but somewhat larger. This rose is a summer once-bloomer and just planted last spring, so it hasn't had a chance to bloom yet in my garden. The gorgeous photo is courtesy of my DG friend hortensia, and one of the reasons I purchased this rose. It is hardy to zone 4 and very fragrant.
'Freckles' (1976, Buck) is a shrub rose from Dr. Griffith Buck who is responsible for so many hardy and disease resistant cultivars. The very cute name comes from the little speckles on the petals that you may be able to see in this picture. With large blooms on a smallish bush (about 3' x 3'), 'Freckles' was in constant bloom for me all season and is hardy to zone 4.
A sweet little shrub, 'Happy Memories' (2002, Amanda Beales) was purchased on sale late in the season and planted in September last year. Consequently it only had a few blooms. So I am looking forward to clusters of these light pink, cupped, smaller blooms on a 2' by 2' bush this year.
Oh, here's a good one! 'Sweet Sunblaze' (1987, Meilland) is a miniature with 1½" blooms on a bush that gets close to 3' by 3'. The blossoms are like a mini hybrid tea but grow in clusters. It has no scent to speak of (very mild), but blooms all summer with very little care. With excellent disease resistance and beautiful clear pink color that deepens with cooler weather, what's not to like? You will also enjoy the orange hips that develop in autumn.
Who wouldn't buy a rose of a type called Romantica? 'Yves Piaget' (1985, Meilland) is a typical Romantica with 80 petals to a bloom in a deep, clear pink. Hardy to zone 5, I expect it to mature at about 3' in height. It was close to that last summer, in almost constant bloom and sweetly fragrant. 
'My Wild Irish Rose' (2004, McCann) is a climber (to 7') that is one of the roses I bought to break out of my "floofy rose" habit. "Floofy" is a technical 
term I picked up on the 
I bought the shrub rose 'Royal Bonica' (1994, Meilland) for my cottage garden, mainly because it is supposed to have outstanding disease resistance. It also sets hips which are winter food for the birds. The fact that it has pretty, double blooms that repeat all season is a huge bonus. This plant is hardy to zone 4 and will grow to be about 5' by 5'.
Another hybrid tea... I had planned on only a few because they are extra work; generally not as hardy or disease resistant as some of the other groups. 'Touch of Class' (1984, Kriloff) was one that I couldn't resist. It's a pink that looks like it is frosted with silver on the reverse of the petals, just like it looks in the ads. With large blooms on long stems that are perfect for cutting, the bush should get to be 6' to 7' tall. It was close to 5' last fall. The fragrance is very mild and it is susceptible to mildew, but with the stunning color and form this rose can be forgiven almost anything. 
'Just For You' (1990, Moore) is a beautiful deep pink mini from Ralph Moore, the father of the miniature rose. No question that Mr. Moore knows what he is doing. This rose is described as having "perfect exhibition form."[2] It is disease resistant, hardy to zone 5, mildly fragrant and has 35 petals packed into it's 1½" blooms. A very enjoyable rose altogether at the front of the bed at about 15" to 18" tall.
One of the OGR's (Old Garden Roses), 'Joasine Hanet' (1847, Vibert) is a Portland with heavy, quartered, 3" blooms on a 4', spreading plant. It reblooms throughout the season and is very fragrant. 
Mini 'Doris Bennett' (2001, Moore) is another creation of hybridizer Ralph Moore. This one is very full, about 41 petals, with a completely different look than 'Just For You' mentioned above. It is flatter with an almost carnation-like appearance, born in clusters on a spreading, one foot bush throughout the season. The stems are almost thornless.
'Yolande d'Aragon' (1843, Vibert) is a hybrid perpetual, also an OGR. Known as "perpetual" because it reblooms, this one has a lot going for it; disease resistant, hardiness (zone 4!), fragrance, fully double 3" blooms. It will be a good-sized plant, 4' to 5' tall by 3' or more wide.
I promised you two dozen and I'm one short. See what you think about this one. 'Champagne Cocktail' (1983, Horner) is a loosely double floribunda that is listed as a yellow blend. At some times it looks as if a yellow rose has had deep pink lipstick blotted on the edges of all the petals. But at other times the flush of lipstick pink covers about 90% of the petal. It is hardy to zone 6, blooms in flushes all season, has a mature height of about 5' and a strong fragrance. To me this is a pink rose.
