Floribunda Roses

The Most Versatile of All Roses

I must confess that my garden usually looks like the stereotype of a carpenter’s house or a mechanic’s car — a work always in progress. I tend to put more effort into new gardening beds than maintaining my existing ones. But my floribundas continue to perform admirably even when I neglect them, making them my favorite type of rose.

Jackson & Perkins' hybridizer Gene Boerner and Wilhelm Kordes of Germany introduced the floribunda over 60 years ago. They crossed polyantha roses with hybrid teas and created a rose with the best qualities of both its parents. Flower form, size and lush foliage were inherited from the hybrid tea. Increased hardiness, smaller bushier growth habit and flowers borne in clusters came from the polyantha, as well as prolific continuous bloom from spring through autumn. Although they were originally called hybrid polyanthas, Charlie Perkins was the first to call them floribundas and the name stuck. Fragrance was the one quality that was slow in coming to the floribunda, but Mr. Boerner broke this barrier with the introduction of Apricot Nectar, an All-America winner in 1966. Because 10 of his 13 AARS award-winning roses were of this new type, Gene Boerner was affectionately known as “Papa Floribunda.”

While the history of floribundas is fascinating, it's the way they perform in my garden that makes them my favorite. They have everything I look for in a great garden plant. Their dense, bushy, compact habit makes them a great choice for foundation plantings, as a focal point in a mixed bed or planted en masse. They also fare well in containers on a patio or rooftop garden. The classic colors of Outrageous™ or Sun Flare planted with Simply Marvelous!™ make an excellent accent for mixed perennial beds. Their floriferous nature really lights up any area and they bloom continuously all summer. Some colors blend and others stand out and many are intensely fragrant. This year's new introductions Grand Prize™, Habitat for Humanity and Flirtatious will make a stunning display together. Best of all, they aren’t fussy. Give them well-drained soil, at least a half-day of full sun, water once or twice a week and fertilizer and they will keep blooming and blooming. I can even cut bouquets to enjoy indoors and still have plenty of blooms left to enjoy in the garden. Floribundas are perfect for the novice and rosarian alike. They are very responsive to intricate care, but their tenacious nature allows them to flourish even with limited attention.

As I stroll through my winter garden and contemplate what I want it to look like this coming spring and summer, floribundas are my top priority. I have a wonderful Outrageous™ by my front steps and a couple of Sun Flare and Simply Marvelous!™ mixed in with my perennial beds. What I am lacking, though, is that blast of mass color that comes from a mass planting. This year I am going to plant a large bed of floribundas, using only three or four different varieties. Grand Prize™, Habitat for Humanity, and Flirtatious have done great in the J&P Display gardens and I think they will make a stunning display together. I may also add a few Hot Cocoa™ for its exotic smoky orange color. This will be the planting that slows traffic. The neighbors will be envious. Only 5 more months ‘til it’s a reality. I can hardly wait!