Types of Roses

Thousands of varieties of roses grace the earth. In gardens throughout the world, roses provide fragrance and beauty. New cultivars and hybrids are created each year, many with improved tolerance for diseases. Not only are roses excellent for home and formal gardens, they are grown commercially for the cut flower market as well as for perfume and other products.

Types
Roses are categorized into basic types, although some are cross-overs and others try to defy description. Hybrid teas, floribundas, grandifloras, miniatures, mini-floras, climbing roses, old garden, shrubs, and polyanthus are the major types recognized by rose associations.

Characteristics
Hybrid teas are the roses florists refer to as long-stemmed. The first hybrid tea rose was classed in 1867. Floribundas are smaller plants with flowers that form in clusters. Grandiflora roses are a combination of hybrid teas and floribundas, with either long stemmed flowers or clusters. They have almost been phased out as new varieties are re-categorized.

Miniature roses actually cover quite a size range. The bushes, leaves and flowers are all small. However the flowers can range from 1/2 inch to 2 inches, and the bush may be anywhere from 12 inches to 36 inches tall. Miniature roses are often grown in containers. They also lend themselves to protected areas in the rose garden outdoors. Mini-flora roses are larger than miniatures but not full sized. They fill smaller gardens nicely, producing blooms large enough for cutting.

Climbing roses are real show-offs, with three general types. The large-flowered types grow up to 20 feet long and usually have repeat blooms throughout the season. Flowers are single as well as clustered. The second type is old-fashioned rambling roses. They bloom once per season, but they are covered with large clusters of flowers that last for 4 to 6 weeks. Ramblers have pliable canes that can be easily wound around arbors and trellises. Sports of hybrid teas and floribundas are the third type of climber. The flowers and name are the same as the original, except they grow on a climber cane.

Old garden roses are those that existed prior to 1867. They come in every color, growth type and size from one foot to over 50 feet tall, and they include damask roses, wild roses, old teas with few thorns, and dozens more. Shrub rose is the category where the rogues fall. If a rose doesn't fit another category, it becomes a shrub rose. Polyanthus are small bush roses with clusters of small flowers.

Uses
Besides providing beauty, roses are grown for the perfume industry. They are dried for potpourri, and rosebuds are dried and sold in craft stores. Rose petals are even used in gourmet dishes and rose hips are used in tea.

Geography
Different roses grow best in different regional climates. Mail order companies offer tremendous selection, and the descriptions include information on the zones where the specific rose will thrive.

Considerations
Garden shows and nurseries provide opportunities for you to see the colors and sizes of rose varieties before selecting plants.

Source: http://www.ehow.com/about_5373450_types-roses.html

What Are Roses?

Roses are perennial plants that bloom with large, colorful flowers, making it one of the most popular plants in the world. While roses have existed in nature for a very long time, most modern roses were created through a process of hybridization over the last 150 years.

Defining Roses
Roses are a type of shrub or vine that belong to the Rosa plant genus and the Rosaceae plant family. Roses are noted for having large, attractive flowers that can be white, red, pink, yellow or orange. Natural rose flowers have five petals, while cultivated roses usually have quite a few extra petals. Thorns adorn the stems on most varieties.

Types of Roses
Bush roses grow into a large bush that can reach up to 6 feet tall. Climbing roses have long stems that need to attached to a trellis or post. Shrub roses grow vertically and can reach up to 12 feet tall, while ground cover roses grow horizontally over the ground. Species roses are varieties that can be found in the wild. Old garden roses are those varieties that were cultivated before 1867, and modern roses are those that were created after 1867.

The History of Roses
Roses have been around for at least 40 million years. Cultivation of wild roses for gardening purposes began around 5,000 years ago and continued to be popular until around the fall of Rome in the 300s. The plant's popularity rebounded over time, and by the 27th century roses were accepted as a form of payment in noble circles. Roses were cultivated to increase the number of blooms, and the first modern hybrid tea rose was created in 1867.

Naming Roses
Roses are generally referred to by variety name, which is simply a name that the hybridizer gives the rose when it is created. This has led to some confusion, as different parts of the world could wind up with the same rose having multiple names. Since the 1980s, all new roses are given a denomination, which is sometimes called a cultivar name, which includes a three letter code based on the hybridizer and a string of letters. The International Cultivar Registration Authority approves the names and ensures each rose has a unique name.

Source: http://www.ehow.com/info_8001853_roses.html