Rose types and flowers explained

Shrub Roses

Shrub roses are a broad and varied group, ranging from compact, bushy plants about 1 metre tall to large, arching shrubs that can reach 3 to 4 metres in height.  They tend to have a less formal habit than modern bush roses.  This category includes traditional Old English roses, which typically flower once in early summer, as well as varieties that bloom repeatedly throughout the season. Many shrub roses have open-centred, single flowers that are excellent for pollinators. These are often bred from wild species or Persica roses. Most shrub roses grow to around 1–2 metres, though this can vary depending on the variety.

Bush Roses

Bush roses include two popular types: hybrid tea roses, known for their elegant, single blooms on straight stems, and floribundas, which produce clusters of flowers on each stem. These roses usually grow to between 80 and 120 cm in height and are ideal for borders and formal planting schemes.

Patio Roses

Patio roses are compact varieties bred specifically for smaller spaces. They typically reach around 60 cm in height and are perfect for pots and containers. Most patio roses flower repeatedly throughout the summer, offering long-lasting colour in a small footprint.

Standard Roses

Standard roses are created through double grafting to produce a straight stem topped with a rounded ‘lollipop’ head of blooms. They make striking focal points in gardens and containers and require specific care to maintain their shape and health.

Climbing roses 

No roses can support themselves, so both climbing and rambling roses need to be tied into a support. Climbing roses are the less vigorous cousin of the rambler and need to be regularly pruned and trained to the support. They are ideal for an average sized fence or trellis, growing more erect stems than the rambler and are less vigorous.

Rambling roses

Strong growing, natural scramblers, rambling roses will clamber up a tree, a roof or pergola. They can cope with some neglect but will become unkempt if left too long and should be hard pruned every few years.

Flower Types

Hybrid Tea

Hybrid tea flowers are single, high-centred blooms on strong stems, making them ideal for cutting. Their tall, tightly packed petals give them a classic, elegant appearance and they’re often considered the iconic rose.

Floribunda

Floribunda roses form clusters of blooms at the top of each stem, offering a profusion of flowers and vibrant colour throughout the season.

Old English

Fully double, multiple petalled roses, that blossom full and flat. Their flamboyance and exuberance makes up for the fact that some just flower once a year.

Single, Semi-Double and Double Roses

These terms refer to the number of petals in each flower:

• Single roses have around 8 petals and prominent stamens, making them great for pollinators.
• Semi-double roses have up to 20 petals, with the centre still visible and again good for pollinators.
• Double roses feature 20–30 petals, giving a very full appearance. In some varieties, the centre may become visible as the flower matures. Insects find it hard to access the pollen and nectar in these flowers.