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Roses have delighted gardeners for centuries, but the roses we grow today have evolved significantly over the years. When shopping for roses, you'll encounter three main categories: species/wild roses, old garden roses, and modern roses. This classification reflects the history and breeding of roses, with modern roses introduced post-1867. The year marked a pivotal point in rose cultivation when Jean Guillot in France bred the first recognized modern rose, the hybrid tea rose ‘La France.' This rose's high-centered, urn-shaped blooms were different from anything seen before, and it ushered in a new era in rose gardening.
For those new to growing roses or considering which category of roses to grow, let's look at what sets each category apart, why roses are so popular, and why you may want to include both modern and old garden roses in your garden.
Modern roses were developed with a focus on all of them being continuous blooming, having vibrant colors, and displaying the unique, elegant high pointed center shape that made 'La France' so striking. Unlike some of the very ancient old garden roses, which may bloom just once per season, modern roses are bred to produce repeat blooms, providing color throughout the growing season. This ability to bloom continuously and the stunning variety in flower forms, colors, and sizes make modern roses an attractive option for gardeners.
The term "modern roses" includes several popular types:
Hybrid Teas: Known for their large, high-centered blooms on long stems, these roses are often used by florists for their elegant shape and suitability as cut flowers. This is the class of roses ushered in by 'La France'.
Floribundas: Originally hybridized by Jackson & Perkins, this rose type results from a cross between hybrid teas and polyanthas. Floribundas offer clusters of smaller blooms with the same repeat-blooming quality, making them ideal for landscaping. Gene Borerner who was head of hybridizing at Jackson & Perkins when this class was developed is affectionately known as "Papa Floribunda".
Grandifloras: A cross between hybrid teas and floribundas, these roses blend large blooms with the floribunda's clustered growth habit. They tend to grow taller than both of their ancestors.
Polyanthas: Smaller in size and originally a cross between Rosa multiflora and hybrid teas, polyanthas are known for their compact shape and profusion of small blooms.
Miniatures and Shrubs: Bred for their small size and versatility, these roses are perfect for container gardening or filling in garden borders with color.
English Roses: Bred by crossing old European garden roses with modern varieties, English roses offer the fragrance and form of traditional roses with the continuous blooming and disease resistance of modern varieties.
Modern roses emerged out of a desire for roses that bloom repeatedly throughout the season and that have larger, more structured bloom shapes. Unlike the European old garden roses, which tend to bloom just once in spring or early summer, modern roses provide consistent color from spring until frost, although there may be a dormancy period during the hottest weeks of summer. In addition, the development of hybrid teas and other modern rose types allowed for a wide variety of colors and bloom shapes, offering gardeners more choices in how and where to plant modern roses and in their impact on the landscape.
Not solely focused on aesthetics, modern roses were also bred for ease of maintenance. Many varieties are more compact and resilient, making them suitable for urban and suburban gardens where space is limited. They are often bred to be less demanding and modern breeding continues to improve their resistance to common diseases. That said, old garden roses are remarkably easy to care for which is evidenced by their longevity and popularity.
For gardeners, modern roses offer several compelling benefits:
Modern roses were bred specifically to bloom repeatedly throughout the season. This makes them ideal for enjoying rose blooms all summer long, as are many old garden roses.
Modern roses come in nearly every color imaginable, with some varieties even displaying multi-colored or striped petals. Their growth habits also vary widely—from compact miniatures to sprawling climbers—allowing gardeners to find a modern rose to fit any garden space or use.
Florists and home gardeners appreciate modern roses for their longer-lasting blooms when cut. Hybrid teas and floribundas, in particular, are prized as cut flowers, with their blooms holding shape and color for extended periods.
Modern roses are available in forms that suit different planting needs. Miniatures and polyanthas are ideal for containers, while grandifloras and floribundas work well in landscape plantings. Climbers and groundcover roses are excellent for adding vertical interest or covering bare ground, adding versatility to garden design.
While modern roses offer advantages, old garden roses have their own charms that make them cherished additions to rose collections. Old garden roses, like Damasks, Centifolias, and Gallicas, offer a robust fragrance that is often lacking in modern varieties. They also tend to be more resilient and winter-hardy, making them well-suited to colder climates. Their often single, prolific bloom cycle provides a stunning, showy display often lasting for 4-5 weeks, and their delicate, romantic flower forms add a sense of history and nostalgia to the garden.
Old garden roses are often more disease-resistant than modern roses, which makes them lower maintenance in certain climates. If you're interested in heritage plants or want a rose that doesn't require cycles of feeding and pruning, old garden roses can be a great choice.
Do modern roses include climbing roses, hybrid teas, grandifloras, floribundas, polyanthas, miniatures, shrubs, and groundcovers?
Yes, modern roses encompass a wide range of types, including hybrid teas, floribundas, grandifloras, polyanthas, miniatures, shrubs, climbers, and groundcover roses. Each type offers unique characteristics and growth habits, making them versatile options for any garden.
What is the difference between species roses, old garden roses, and modern roses?
Species roses are wild roses that grow naturally and are known for their mostly simple, five-petaled blooms and hardiness. Old garden roses are varieties that belong in any class of roses developed before 1867, often with strong fragrance and natural disease resistance. Modern rose classes were introduced after 1867, beginning with the hybrid tea, and are bred for continuous blooming, larger blooms, and a variety of forms and colors.
Why do modern roses bloom continuously?
Modern roses were specifically bred to have repeat bloom cycles, a trait that wasn't always common in the earlier old garden roses. This continuous blooming makes them a popular choice for gardeners who want a season-long display of color and flowers. However, there are old garden roses that offer repeat blooming as well. Read the product descriptions on the website to find the roses that meet your criteria because there truy is a rose for every garden and gardener.
Do modern roses have a strong fragrance?
While some modern roses are fragrant, many were bred more for bloom size and color than fragrance, so they may lack the intense scent of old garden roses. However, English roses and some newer varieties are bred to balance fragrance with the desirable traits of modern roses.
Are modern roses easy to care for?
Modern roses are generally easy to care for, as many have been bred for disease resistance and compact growth habits. However, you can check the growing tips for your favorite roses to determine whether a modern rose or old garden rose meets your needs most specifically. There are ranges of care for each type, depending on the climate and specific variety, and classifying them as easy or hard to care for is an imprecise generalization.
Modern roses offer the best of both worlds: the beauty of classic roses with the added convenience of repeat blooms, a variety of colors and forms, and adaptability to different garden styles. If you want the elegance of structured blooms, and the flexibility to plant roses in nearly any setting, modern roses are a fantastic choice. However, if you crave fragrance and historical charm, consider adding a few old garden roses to complement your collection. With the wide variety of modern roses available, gardeners can easily find the right balance of beauty, performance, and ease in their rose gardens.
