Landscape
And
Nursery
Dialog
Mary Ann Rose
Commercial Landscape
& Nursery Specialist
The Ohio State UniversityJuly, 1997
Shrub Roses for the Landscape
Keywords: landscape, shrubs, plant selection
F or time immemorial, the challenge of growing beautiful roses in the garden has been the ultimate test of a gardener's patience and skill. Every gardening enthusiast knew that, with few exceptions, growing roses would require multiple sprays, careful pruning, and winter protection in northern climates.
Finally gardeners who canât boast a green thumb or those who refuse to spray have a chance to succeed with roses! Since the late 1980s, many new shrub roses have arrived on the scene which offer disease resistance and cold hardiness. While they may not offer the perfection of flower form exemplified by the tea rose, they offer masses of color, and in most cases, repeat bloom. The cold hardiness feature does have to be taken with a grain of salt, however. Although many of the roses may be technically hardy to zone 4 or 5, this doesnât mean they are not susceptible to die-back when unseasonably cold weather occurs, - for example, a hard freeze in early winter that follows a period of Indian summer. This is precisely what occured in my area last December, and did result in problems with all types of roses.
Itâs almost useless to talk about breeding lines that have created the recent shrub rose introductions, not only because I cannot come even close to explaining the genetics, but also because of the way the new groups are being marketed. Many of these roses are marketed in a series which includes a variety of colors and growth habits; thus the genetic makeup of the group is diverse. Some of the more common series or groups follow.
The French-born Meidilandâ and related Carefreeâ series first made a stir in the US in 1987, when Bonicaâ became the first shrub rose ever to win the coveted All American Rose Selection honors. Carefree Wonderâ struck again in 1991, having the highest score in the AARS trails. In their product literature, the American producer, Conard-Pyle, suggests that these roses can be loosely divided into those that are ground-hugging, and those that are more upright than spreading. Ground covers include Alba Meidilandâ (flowers: small white clusters), Carefree Delightâ (single carmine pink), Fuchsia Meidilandâ (double mauve), Red Meidilandâ (single red), Scarlet Meidilandâ (double scarlet), and White Meidilandâ (double white). The shrub types include Bonicaâ (double lt. pink), Carefree Beautyâ (semi-double pink), Carefree Wonderâ semi-double pink w/ cream reverse), Pink Meidilandâ (single pink), and Royal Bonicaâ (pink). All of the roses mentioned are hardy to zone 4.
Rosa rugosa is a native of northern coastal regions of China, Korea, Japan. Toughness is in its blood! The species and many of its cultivars and hybrids are vigorous, tolerant of salt, poor soil, and midwestern winters. Some of this group are hardy to zone 2. The salt-tolerance of rugosa roses even allows some selections to be used as highway plantings. However, I must admit, this is one rose that I observed some dieback on during a severe April freeze this year.
Sometimes used as a hedge, rugosa roses span 3 to 6 feet in height and have deep green foliage. Most are repeat bloomers, with bright red, attractive rose hips following the bloom. Some recommended rugosa selections include Frau Dagmar Hastrupâ (single lt. pink), Alba-plenaâ (double white), Blanc Double de Coubertâ (semi-double white), and Topaz Jewelâ (semi-double lt. yellow).
The Explorerâ series was developed in Ontario; each cultivar is named for a Canadian explorer. Most of this group are rock-hardy rugosa hybrids, and exhibit the favorable characteristics listed above for rugosa types. Some other rose blood is mixed into the series (e.g., R. kordesii), and a few are climbing types. Examples of the Explorer series include Martin Frobisherâ (lt. pink), Henry Hudsonâ (white w/ yellow center), Champlainâ (dk. red), and John Cabotâ (climbing red).
The Parklandâ or Mordenâ series is another hardy group (zone 2 or 3) of complex hybrids that hails from Canada. Morden Centennialâ (pink double) and Adelaide Hoodlessâ (red double) are examples.
David Austinâs English rose are a charming group of crosses between old and modern roses that feature very large, fragrant, old-fashioned blooms continuously produced throughout the growing season. Examples include Heritageâ (lt. pink double) and Asumasâ (deep yellow double).
Town and Countryâ roses are yet another series, newly arrived from Denmark. This series offers a variety of forms, hardiness and repeat bloom. This group includes Cliffs of Doverâ (single white), Cape Codâ (lt. pink), and Aspenâ (yellow ground cover). I found Cliffs of Doverâ to be the hardiest of them all through 1996-1997.
Finally, Iâll mention my favorite shrub rose - Nearly wild,â a single-flowered pink rose. I have both produced this one in the nursery and grown it in the landscape, and find it very reliable. This rose dies back like all of them, but vigorously recovers.
Did you ever think that you would see rose and low-maintenance in the same sentence? Maybe that day has come, - but do hang on to your pruning shears! This article introduces only a few of the many new shrub roses that are available. I hope readers are inspired to give these roses the place they so richly deserve in the landscape.
