PDF Modern Roses Make Beautiful Summer Flowers
photo credit: Joel Weihe
If you are sick of the same old annual or summer bulbs and are looking to for different summer flowers to plant, consider planting a modern rose bush. These types of rose flowers are elegant and will bloom all season long. Modern roses are hybrid plants known to exist after 1867. There is great variability in modern roses in terms of color, blooming times and cold tolerance. When compared to old roses, these plants typically are not as fragrant and are more susceptible to pests and disease. The main benefit of these roses is that they bloom repeatedly for the entire growing season.
Below is a list of the many varieties of modern roses available in a range of colors, styles and sizes:
- Hybrid Tea Roses: These popular plants produce beautiful, fragrant, single blooms on long stems and are typically used by florists for floral arrangements. Hybrid tea roses were the first type of modern rose, developed in 1867 by crossing hybrid perpetuals were crossed with tea roses. This class of roses is very diverse, producing all types of flowers in a rainbow of colors. These rose bushes are typically small, growing to approximately 2-3 feet in height. Hybrid tea roses can be delicate and many types are susceptible to disease and pests.
- Floribunda Roses: Polyantha roses are the result of a hybrid cross between polyanthas and hybrid tea roses. These roses were developed in the early 1900s. This rose variety produces clusters of flowers on a single stem and will bloom all season long. The plants typically are less than 6 feet tall and tend to be disease resistant.
- Grandiflora Roses: Grandiflora roses are among the newest classes of roses and were produced by breeding hybrid tea roses with floribunda roses. The resulting roses were very large plants that typically grow beyond 7 feet tall. Grandiflora roses will produce very large flowers in an array of colors. Although the blooms are huge, they are not very fragrant.
- Polyantha Rose: The pretty polyantha roses were produced by crossing the popular China roses with Rosa multifora. These roses are lovely, compact plants that bloom continuously. There are many different colors to choose from including cream, yellow and lovely pink roses. Some polyantha roses may not tolerate cold temperatures and should be protected for the winter if grown in colder climates. Most varieties are resistant to disease.
- Miniature Roses: Plant summer flowers in the form of this rose that produces cute, tiny flowers and grows to be 1-3 feet tall. These bushes make nice border and accent plants. These plants are easy to care for and come in a variety of styles and colors. Miniature roses come in different sizes ranging from Minifloras that can grow to 3 feet tall, to Micro-mini rose bushes that stay shorter than one foot. These flowers also are available in climbing varieties.
- Shrub Roses: Shrub roses are tall, bushy plants that can grow to between 6 and 10 feet tall. These plants are very hardy and are available in many different styles and colors. These roses became popular as a landscaping shrub during the 20th century.
- Knock Out Roses: Knock Out roses are a brand of modern roses that are newer and are quickly gaining popularity. This variety of rose flower is very easy to take care of. It grows to about 4 feet tall and is resistant to fungal infections. This plant will produce beautiful summer flowers all season long. These bushes are available in deep red, yellow and pink roses.
photo credit: T.Kiya
Modern rose varieties tend to be more finicky than old rose plants. If you plan to buy summer flowers and choose a modern rose bush, be prepared to spend some time caring for it. Before you buy any plant, always check your planting zone to be sure that the selected rose will grow well in your region. Most roses require at least 6 hours of sunshine to perform optimally. Soil should be nutrient rich and have good drainage.
Remember that many roses are susceptible to pests and fungal diseases. Check out your local nurseries for special sprays that prevent infestation and fungal disease. Roses should always be watered around the base to limit the moisture on foliage and prevent mildew. Soil should be heavily mulched and fertilized regularly. Remove dead and diseased parts promptly for a healthy rose bush. Remove flowers that have peaked to encourage new blooms.
Of the modern roses, knock out roses seem to be very popular, disease free and low maintenance plants. If you do not have the time to dedicate to taking care of a rose bush, consider this variety as it performs well even if ignored. These lovely bushes will produce an abundance of beautiful roses all summer long. Regardless of the type of modern rose that you choose, they will provide you with an endless supply of beautiful flowers for many years. If you are more interested in learning about old garden roses, check out our article “For Beautiful Flowers, Try Growing Old Roses.”
photo credit: Jami Dwyer