Rows of Roses

This week, we celebrate the most romantic holiday of the year: Valentine’s Day. It is a day of gifts and cards, and the Valentine’s Day commercial market has codified a few symbols into universal representations of romance: hearts, Cupids, chocolates, and, of course, roses. 

Damask Roses are a popular type of old garden rose. Photo Credit: World Sensorium/Conservancy

Rose bushes can be classified by a few methods, but one common way is according to when they were introduced: modern hybrid roses were developed in 1867, while old garden roses (also called antique or heirloom roses) refers to any roses grown before that year. The third type of rose bush, called species or wild roses, are just what they sound like––roses that have been growing without human intervention for centuries.  

Many gardeners prefer modern hybrid roses, because they are long-blooming, disease-resistant, and can be bred to match a gardener’s preferred color, shape, and size. Others, however, prefer the sense of tradition that comes from growing old garden roses, which are also said to have a stronger, sweeter fragrance than modern hybrid roses.  

The Hybrid Tea Rose was the first modern hybrid developed. The original Hybrid Tea was introduced in France in 1867 and was called “La France.”

Photo Credit: Spring Hill

If you plan to plant roses in your garden this spring, you have your pick of over 300 species to choose from. To grow a successful rose bush, choose a site with six or more hours of sun per day. Avoid planting your roses under trees, and give them as much room to grow as possible to provide airflow and reduce the risk of disease. Click here for detailed instructions on how to plant a rose bush, and click here for the easiest roses to grow for beginners.