Rose Classes

Reference

Understanding rose classifications helps with choosing, growing, and appreciating varieties in the garden.

Overview

Three broad categories

All roses fall into one of three umbrella categories, each containing many specific classes.

Wild Roses

Species roses that occur naturally in the wild. They typically bloom once per season, bear five petals, and produce colourful hips in autumn. Most are extremely tough and need little care.

Old Garden Roses

Classes that existed before 1867 — including Gallicas, Damasks, Albas, Bourbons, and Hybrid Perpetuals. Known for rich fragrance and full quartered blooms. Many bloom only once in spring.

Modern Garden Roses

Classes developed after 1867, including Hybrid Teas, Floribundas, Grandifloras, and Shrubs. Most are repeat bloomers and represent the majority of roses in this garden.

Classes

Roses in this garden by class

Shrub & David Austin English Roses

Shrub roses tend to sprawl wide and large with an open, arching habit. David Austin's English Roses combine the full, fragrant blooms of Old Garden Roses with the repeat flowering of modern varieties. This section also includes Hybrid Musk and Hybrid Rugosa subcategories.

Abraham Darby — David Austin English Rose
Ballerina — Hybrid Musk
Evelyn — David Austin English Rose
Gertude Jekyll — David Austin English Rose
Graham Thomas — David Austin English Rose
F.J. Grootendorst — Hybrid Rugosa
Heritage — David Austin English Rose
L.D. Braithwaite — David Austin English Rose
Mary Rose — David Austin English Rose
Othello — David Austin English Rose

Hybrid Teas & Grandifloras

Both classes have a tall, upright habit with large blooms on long stems — ideal for cutting. Hybrid Teas bear one bloom per stem. Grandifloras (a US-only AARS classification, not recognized by international rose bodies) grow taller and bloom in small clusters. Marked Gr below.

Floribundas & Polyanthas

Floribundas offer a bouquet on every branch — clusters of blooms with continuous colour all season. A cross between Polyanthas and Hybrid Teas, they combine hardiness and free flowering. Polyanthas are the forerunners of Floribundas, bearing large clusters of smaller flowers; The Fairy is a true Polyantha.

Climbers & Ramblers

Climbing roses are not a separate class — they describe a growth form. A climbing rose may be a Hybrid Tea, Floribunda, or Polyantha that has developed long, arching canes. Ramblers are generally once-blooming with more flexible canes and smaller flowers in large clusters.

Mystery Roses

These pages are kept as garden placeholders, but their exact class has not been identified yet, so they are tracked separately from the named rose classes above.