The Whole Life of Rose

June’s birth flower is the rose! And it’s not surprising that rose shrubs are often at their very best this month, but many types will flower from late May through early fall. 

The rose has been a symbol of beauty, love, and passion for thousands of years, and it remains so today. Growing roses can be demanding or carefree. Roses are shrubs of many forms, available for every blooming season and in various colors. Knowing rose classifications helps understand their growth habits, climate preferences, and general requirements.

Rose bushes come in a variety of forms, from climbing roses to miniature rose plants. One way to group roses into classes is according to their date of introduction:

• Old roses—also called “old-fashioned roses” and “heirloom roses”—are those introduced prior to 1867. These are the lush, invariably fragrant roses in old masters’ paintings. Hundreds of old rose varieties—whose hardiness varies—provide warm and mild climates choices.
• Modern hybrid roses, introduced after 1867, are sturdy, long-blooming, extremely hardy and disease-resistant, and bred for color, shape, size, and fragrance. The hybrid tea roses, with one large flower on a long cutting stem, are among the most popular hybrids.
• Species, or wild roses, are those that have been growing wild for many thousands of years. These wild roses have been adapted to modern gardens and usually bloom from spring to early summer. Most species of roses have single blossoms. 

Choosing from all the possibilities can be a daunting task. Take your time and wander through nurseries to enjoy the beauty of roses!