Are you captivated by the timeless allure of the red rose? With over 150 species and 30,000 different rose varieties worldwide, the options for growing these iconic flowers in your garden are truly endless. Whether you’re drawn to the deep, velvety hues of an heirloom hybrid tea or the vibrant, floral clusters of a floribunda, there’s a red rose to suit every taste and garden style. But where do you even begin when faced with such an abundance of choices?
The Iconic Red Rose
Red roses are the ultimate symbol of love and a favorite in gardens. With over 30,000 types of roses worldwide, the red rose is especially cherished. They add beauty and elegance to any setting, whether in formal arrangements or cottage gardens.
The history and culture of red roses are rich. The Red Rose of Lancaster has been a royal symbol since the 14th century. It was also loved by the Romans, Persians, and Egyptians. Today, it represents England’s Lancashire region.
Red roses mean more than just their beauty. The Tudor Rose combines red and white roses, symbolizing the Tudor dynasty. It’s still seen in British emblems, from military units to sports teams.
“Wars have been fought over them, and they hold a special place in the hearts of many.”
There are over 87 types of red roses, each unique. From the Black Beauty‘s deep colors to the Lady in Red‘s bright scarlet, there’s a variety for everyone.
Whether you love the Munstead Wood‘s scent or the Mr. Lincoln‘s classic look, red roses are timeless. They inspire and delight us all. Exploring red rose varieties, we discover their deep history and lasting charm.
Classic Red Hybrid Tea Roses
Hybrid tea roses are a beloved garden classic. They are known for their iconic, large blooms and upright growth. These stunning red varieties are a must-have for any rose enthusiast’s collection.
‘Mister Lincoln’
‘Mister Lincoln’ is considered the quintessential deep red rose. It boasts a strong, intoxicating fragrance that fills your garden. Its large, sumptuous blooms make it a standout choice for cut flower arrangements.
‘Alec’s Red’
‘Alec’s Red’ has large, cherry red flowers and an old-rose scent. It adds a touch of romance to your garden. The upright, well-branched plants produce a reliable display of color throughout the growing season.
Hybrid tea roses are known for their exceptional garden performance. They produce long-lasting blooms perfect for cutting and arranging. With their classic good looks and intoxicating fragrances, these red varieties are a must-have for any rose lover’s garden.
Vibrant Red Floribunda Roses
Planting red floribunda roses adds vibrant color to your garden all season. These roses are compact and bloom in clusters. They’re great for borders, mass plantings, or containers. Their bright red blooms really stand out.
‘Trumpeter’ — Brilliant Red Blooms on a Bushy Plant
The ‘Trumpeter’ is a standout red floribunda rose. It’s a robust shrub rose with large, brilliant red blooms. Its compact, bushy habit makes it perfect for adding color to garden beds or walkways.
The flowers bloom in generous clusters, creating a stunning display from spring to fall. Another great choice is the ‘Obsession’. It was named the Jackson & Perkins Rose of the Year in 2015. It has vivid red tones and a strong fragrance.
The ‘Obsession’ rose has double-petal blooms that are 4 inches wide with 17 to 25 petals. It grows on a compact 3-foot by 3-foot plant.
Unique Bicolored red roses
Rose lovers looking for something special will find bicolored red roses fascinating. These roses have petals in different colors, making them stand out. The ‘Ketchup and Mustard’ rose is a great example, with its bright red and mustard yellow petals.
These roses are perfect for those who want something different in their garden. They show off nature’s variety, offering a break from the usual red rose. Whether it’s the ‘Ketchup and Mustard’ or another, these roses will catch everyone’s eye.
Beyond their looks, bicolored red roses highlight the wide range of roses. From ‘Black Beauty’ to ‘Firefighter,’ red roses come in many shades. Adding these to your garden lets you see the full range of rose colors and their beauty.
Whether you’re new or experienced with roses, bicolored red roses are a great choice. They bring a fresh twist to the classic rose. Let these unique roses add magic to your garden.
Compact Red Patio Roses
If you have little space but love red roses, patio roses are great. They come in small sizes but still have lots of color. This makes them perfect for small gardens or containers.
The ‘Roxanne Veranda’ is a standout red patio rose. It grows only 2–3 feet tall. It has bright red flowers that bloom all season. This rose is great for small gardens, adding beauty to patios and decks.
There are many other red patio roses for your garden. These roses are small, disease-resistant, and full of charm. They’re ideal for red patio roses, container roses, and roses for small spaces.
Climbing red roses
Looking to add vertical interest and stunning visual appeal to your garden? Consider climbing red roses. These vigorous varieties transform bare walls, fences, or trellises into vibrant displays. They can reach heights of 8–10 feet, making a remarkable focal point.
‘Lady in Red’
The ‘Lady in Red’ climbing rose is a standout. It boasts scarlet, old-fashioned frilly blooms on a gracefully climbing shrub. Its hardy, repeat-flowering nature and classic rose fragrance make it a true showstopper.
‘Don Juan’
‘Don Juan’ is another striking red climbing rose. It has huge, velvety crimson flowers and a strong, classic rose scent. This variety makes a dramatic statement when trained up a trellis or arbor.
Whether you choose ‘Lady in Red’, ‘Don Juan’, or another red climbing rose, they add vertical flair and romance. They thrive in hardiness zones 4–10 and tolerate partial shade. Red climbing roses are versatile for creating stunning vertical rose gardens.
Deep, Dark Red Roses
For a richer, more dramatic red tone in your garden, consider these captivating deep red rose varieties. These sumptuous blooms add a touch of gothic romance and elegance. They create moody, sophisticated displays that will turn heads.
‘Deep Secret’
Indulge your senses with the intensely fragrant maroon blooms of the ‘Deep Secret’ rose. This upright shrub variety boasts deep red, almost black flowers. They exude a powerful, alluring scent, perfect for adding a touch of mystery to your garden.
‘Black Beauty’
Elevate your rose garden with the captivating ‘Black Beauty.’ This variety features nearly black buds that slowly open to reveal deep, velvety red flowers. The dramatic contrast between the bud and bloom creates a truly stunning visual effect. Making ‘Black Beauty’ a must-have for any lover of dark, moody roses.
“These deep, dark red roses add a touch of gothic romance and elegance to the garden, creating moody, dramatic displays that will captivate all who see them.”
Landscape-Friendly red roses
For gardeners wanting to add easy, disease-resistant red roses to their landscape, there are great choices. These easy-care red roses and disease-resistant roses fit well into garden designs. They bring the beauty of red roses with little effort.
‘Firefighter’
‘Firefighter’ stands out with its fire-engine red flowers and sweet scent. It’s a tough rose that’s easy to care for and fights off diseases well. It’s a beautiful and practical choice for your roses for landscaping.
‘Brick House’
‘Brick House’ is another great choice for landscapes. It has clusters of bright red flowers that brighten up your garden. It also attracts pollinators. Like ‘Firefighter’, it’s low maintenance and disease-resistant, perfect for your landscaping.
Adding these easy-care red roses and disease-resistant roses to your garden brings timeless beauty. They’re easy to care for and look great. Your garden will stay vibrant and easy to maintain.
Shrub red roses
For a touch of old-fashioned charm in your garden, consider red shrub roses. These plants bloom along arching canes, adding a relaxed, cottage-style appeal. The ‘Munstead Wood’ shrub rose is a standout, with cupped, deep berry red blooms and a heavenly old rose fragrance.
Shrub roses like ‘Munstead Wood’ are great for mixed borders. They serve as eye-catching focal points or blend well with other plants. Their reliable, repeat-blooming nature means vibrant color from spring through fall. Whether planted alone or in groups, these red shrub roses add timeless elegance to your garden.
Looking for a classic red shrub rose like ‘Munstead Wood’ or a modern, disease-resistant variety like the OSO EASY DOUBLE RED™? These hardy, old-fashioned red roses will enchant and delight in any garden.
