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Types of roses

English
Grandiflora rose (Rosa 'Heart O'Gold')
Photo: Jardin botanique de Montréal (Gilles Murray)
Rosa 'Heart O'Gold'.

Bush roses

Types of roses Description Height Hardiness Use
Hybrid teas Large double flowers borne singly
Repeat bloomers
1 to 1.3 m Not hardy in zone 5
Require winter protection (fabric or cone)
Mass plantings, borders, cut flowers
Floribundas Medium-sized flowers in large bunches; bloom abundantly
Repeat bloomers
1 to 1.2 m Not hardy in zone 5
Require winter protection (fabric or cone)
Mass plantings, borders
Grandifloras Medium-sized flowers in clusters; bloom abundantly
Repeat bloomers
1.5 m Not hardy in zone 5
Require winter protection (fabric or cone)
Mass plantings, borders
Polyanthas Small flowers in clusters
Repeat bloomers
0.3 to 0.6 m Not very hardy in zone 5
Require light winter protection (mounding)
Mass plantings, borders
Miniatures Tiny flowers in clusters
Repeat bloomers
10 to 30 cm Not very hardy in zone 5
Require light winter protection (mounding)
Rock gardens, borders, pots, containers

Shrub roses

Types of roses Description Height Hardiness Use
Species rose Single flowers
Bloom from May to July
One-time bloomers
  Very hardy, zones 2 to 5, depending on species
Require no winter protection
Singly or in mass plantings
Hedges
Decorative rose hips
Old garden roses (prior to 1867) Double fragrant flowers
Bloom from June to July
Some repeat bloomers
  Hardy to zone 3, except Bourbon, Portland, China, Noisette, Tea Singly or in mass plantings
Hedges
Decorative rose hips
Modern cultivars (Rugosa hybrids, Explorer, Parkland and Meidiland Series)

Shrub form
Single, semi-double or double flowers
Repeat bloomers

1 to 2.5 m Very hardy: zones 2 to 5, depending on cultivar
Require no winter protection
Singly or in mass plantings
Hedges
Decorative rose hips
Climbers Some cultivars are repeat bloomers 2.5 to 5 m, depending on cultivar Some are hardy, others require good winter protection Trellises, walls, pergolas, pillars
Ramblers Horizontal canes
Repeat bloomers
60 cm Very hardy: zones 2 to 5
Require no winter protection
Ground cover
Tree or standard roses May be grafted or not
Repeat bloomers
0.6 to 1.2 m Not very hardy if grafted
Lay canes on the ground and cover with soil
Require winter protection (fabric)
Singly or in mass plantings