How to Identify Types of Roses

Everybody loves roses. After all, they're the flowers of love. But is it true that "a rose is a rose is a rose," as the poet said? Not so! Roses of different kith and kin have different attributes. Here's how to pick the roses of your dreams.

Instructions

1. Choose Hybrid Tea Roses for long stemmed roses. These have huge, showy, double flowers with cone shaped centers. They usually produce one flower per stem and they bloom from the late Spring till first frost. These are the kind florists usually sell.

2. Select Floribundas if you want more dainty, smaller plants with blooms that generally grow in clusters. Grandifloras are a cross between Hybrid Tea and Floribundas. Some of these produce single blooms, and some clusters, and they come in a wide variety of colors.

3. Miniature roses are self explanatory. Their flowers, stems and overall size are tiny. Flowers can be as small as 1/2 an inch and plants as small as 1 foot. They come in various colors and grow beautifully in containers.

4. Choose climbing roses if you want a real hardy plant that can grow to an impressive height of up to 20 feet. There's a variety of climbers as far as size, color and single or clustered blooms. Rambler types generally only bloom once but the bushes will be covered with flowers for about a month. Other climbers are counterparts of nonclimbing roses such as Hybrid Teas.

5. Although there are a few other types of roses they are not popular and are generally only available by mail order. They're also generally harder to grow and care for. Stick with these and choose the one that will fit your space and preference...and then enjoy! Beware, though--rose gardening can be a true addiction!