Different Types Of Roses

The alluring fragrance and beauty of rose makes it one of the most common flowers exchanged as a sign of love, affection and friendship. It is also much adored by home gardeners and florists alike. While you may be well acquainted with the most common types of roses, there might be many others, particularly the hybrid ones, which you may not have come across. Some of them are even too peculiar to be classified as roses. If you want to learn more about the different types of roses, go through the following lines.

Common Types Of Roses

Alba

Derived from Rosa arvensis, Alba is a white rose, which blossom only once in a year, during the spring season. It is believed that Romans brought this old garden rose to Great Britain. Its shrubs, with blossoms of white, feature gray-green foliage. 'Hite rose of York' and 'Alba Semiplena' are popular Alba varieties.

Damask

The binomial name of Damask rose is Rosa damascena. Damask is a rose hybrid, derived from a cross between Rosa gallica and Rosa moschata. It is one of the most common types of old garden rose, characterized by stems - armed with stout, curved thorns and stiff bristles. Discovered in 1254, Damask blooms once during the summer season.

China Rose

As the name suggests, China rose originates from the East Asian country - China. The flower was brought to Western Europe in the late 1700s. It blooms in summer and late autumn season. Characterized by small size and less fragrance, the flower has shrubs that are sensitive to cold. 'Mutabilis', also known as 'butterfly rose', is a common variety of China rose.

Bermuda Rose

A group of around a dozen roses was "found" to be grown in Bermuda, for over a century. The high resistance to plant diseases, fungal diseases and nematode damage makes Bermuda rose favorable to grow in tropical and sub-tropical regions. These roses are capable of flowering in hot and humid climatic conditions as well.

Bourbon

Native to Madagascar coast, Bourbon rose is characterized by a purple-tinted cane, with semi-climbing shrubs. It has been derived from a cross between Autumn Damask and the Old Bush China Rose. Bourbon rose is found in vibrant colors, like deep red, pink, blush and white. It has lush flowers and fragrance.

Noisette

A cross between China Rose's Parson's Pink and Rosa moschafa gave rise to Noisette rose. Its shrub blossoms from spring to fall and produces huge clusters of small pink roses. The flower originated in the United States, in the beginning of 19th century, as one of the first climbing roses. 'Blush Noisette' is an example of Noisette rose.

Gallica

Gallica rose originated in central Europe. Derived from Rosa Gallica, this type of rose is characterized by large patches of shrubbery, with prickles in the stem, and glandular bristles. The pinnate leaves contain 3-7 bluish-green leaflets. Gallica flowers are found in a cluster of four, each with five deep pink petals.

Centifolia

The globular-shaped flowers of Centifolia rose make it look like cabbage. Hence, it is also called cabbage rose. It was grown in Netherlands, in the 17th century. Derived from a cross between Damask and Alba rose, Centifolia rose is once-flowering. 'Paul Ricault' is an example of this type of rose.

Tea Rose

Tea rose has been derived from a cross between China rose, Noisette and Bourbon roses. As compared to the old garden roses, Tea rose is more tender. The flower can be found in the pastel shades, including yellow, pink and white. It is characterized by pointed tip petals, which tend to roll back at their edges. 'Lady Hillingdon' is an example of Tea rose.

Moss

Moss rose is a mutation of Centifolia rose and sometimes, Damask rose as well. A once-flowering rose, Moss is characterized by a pleasant balsam-like fragrance and excrescence on its stems and sepals. 'Alfred de Dalmas' is an example of this type of rose.

Portland Rose

Derived from a cross between Gallicas and Damasks, Portland rose has been named after the Duchness of Portland. The entire class of Portland rose was derived from 'Scarlet Four Seasons' rose, received by the Duchness in 1800. The plant of Portland rose is characterized by short size and shrubby appearance, with short flower stalks.

Canadian Hardy Rose

Morden Research Station in Manitoba and the Experimental Farm in Ottawa developed the Canadian Hardy rose. This type of rose was grown specially to withstand the extreme weather conditions prevalent during the chilly winters of Canada.

Hybrid Perpetual

Hybrid Perpetual rose has been derived largely from the Bourbon rose and blooms in spring. The flower was first found in 1838. With time, it became a popular garden and florist rose of northern Europe. 'Ferdinand Pichard' is an example of Hybrid Perpetual, which is available in white, pink and red colors.

Hybrid Tea

Derived by hybridizing Hybrid Perpetuals with Tea roses, in 1800s, Hybrid Tea rose is a popular modern garden rose. It is characterized by stiffly upright bushes and sparsely foliaged shrubs, with one flower per stem. The flowers have high-centered buds. Hybrid tea is hardier than Tea rose, but less strong than Hybrid Perpetuals. The flower is found in a number of vibrant colors, including deep yellow, apricot, copper, orange, true scarlet, yellow bicolors, lavender and gray.

Grandiflora

Characterized by large flowers, Grandiflora rose was derived from a cross between Hybrid Tea and Floribunda, in the 1900s. The flowers of Grandiflora are similar to Hybrid Tea rose, grouped into small clusters - with three to five flowers in each cluster. 'Montezuma' is an example of Grandiflora rose.

Hybrid Musk

Rev. Joseph Pemberton created Hybrid Musk, in the beginning of the 20th century. Hybrid musk is characterized by cluster of flowers, with a strong musk fragrance. Rose multiflora is the parent of the rose, with 'Buff Beauty' being its example.

Miniature Rose

Characterized by blooms in Hybrid Tea colors, Miniature roses are twiggy, with repeat-flowring shrubs. Their height ranges from 6" to 36". Many of its varieties also emulate the classic high-centered hybrid tea flower shape. 'Cupcake' is a modern miniature rose.

Floribunda

Floribunda has been derived by crossing Polyanthas with Hybrid Tea. It is characterized by the profusion of Polyanthas, with the beauty and color of Hybrid Tea. 'Gruss an Aachen', an example of Floribunda, was created in 1909. The shrubs of Floribunda are typically smaller and bushier as compared to the Hybrid Tea rose and less dense than Polyantha.