Roses (Rosa spp.) are popular garden shrubs, and with the right conditions, they are easier to grow than many gardeners expect.
Understanding a few basic growing needs—such as space, sunlight, and blooming habits—can make a big difference in how well your roses perform.
What Roses Need to Grow Well
Space and Mature Size
Roses vary in size, so it’s important to know how large a plant will be at maturity. Some roses stay compact at under 3 feet tall, while others grow much larger and need more room.
Giving roses enough space improves air circulation, reduces disease problems, and helps plants bloom more reliably.
Sunlight
Most roses grow best with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. More sun generally means stronger growth and better flowering.
Some roses tolerate partial shade, but flowering may be lighter in less sun.
Blooming Habits
Roses differ in how often they bloom. Some flower once per season, while others bloom repeatedly from spring through fall.
For continuous color, look for roses labeled repeat-blooming or continuous bloom.
While roses vary in size and bloom habits, most garden roses share the same basic growing needs, making them easier to care for than many gardeners expect.
Types
Roses can feel overwhelming when you’re new to them. No need to learn the whole rose universe right away—or start with the fussy types. Let’s begin with sturdy, low‑maintenance roses that give you the best chance of success.
Botanically, roses fall into three broad groups (species, old garden, and modern), but beginners will find it most helpful to choose by growth habit: shrubs, climbers, hybrid teas, or miniatures.
Choosing Your First Rose
If you’re new to roses, start with a shrub rose. They’re the toughest, most low‑maintenance roses you can grow.
Shrub Roses (Rose Bushes)
Shrub roses form rounded, bushy plants and are the most reliable, low‑maintenance roses for new gardeners. They bloom generously, resist disease, and need very little pruning.
Examples:
- Knock Out Roses — continuous bloom, excellent disease resistance; hardy in Zones 5–10
- Flower Carpet Roses — groundcover style, nonstop flowers; hardy in Zones 4–10
- Rugosa Roses — incredibly hardy, fragrant, and tough; many varieties (like ‘Jens Munk’) hardy to Zone 2
If you’re just starting out, shrub roses are your safest, easiest choice. See 3 easy roses for beginners!
Climbing Roses
Climbers send out long canes that need support from a trellis, fence, or arbor. They’re stunning but require training and a bit more attention, so many beginners add them after they’ve grown a shrub rose or two.
Examples:
- ‘Gertrude Jekyll’ (David Austin) — repeat‑blooming, fragrant; hardy in Zones 4–11
- ‘New Dawn’ — hardy, forgiving, blush‑pink; Zones 5–9
- ‘Don Juan’ — deep red, sweet fragrance; Zones 6–9
- ‘Iceberg’ — white, heat‑tolerant, disease‑resistant; Zones 4–9
Hybrid Tea Roses
These are the classic long‑stemmed roses you see in bouquets. They produce beautiful, elegant blooms — and they’re also the fussiest. Hybrid teas often need more pruning, feeding, and disease prevention, so they’re usually not a beginner’s first rose.
Examples:
- ‘Pink Peace’ — large, fragrant blooms; hardy in Zones 5–10
- ‘Sunsprite’ (‘KORresia’) — compact yellow floribunda; fragrant and disease‑resistant; Zones 5–9
Miniature Roses
Small, compact roses that stay tidy in containers or small gardens. They bloom repeatedly and are surprisingly tough, but need extra care if grown in pots. Most varieties fall within Zones 5–9.
See also our list of disease-resistant rose varieties.
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Hi, Heather, The name of this rose is as the reader notes below: Chicago Peace, not hope, Rose. Blackspot is the scourge of roses. It is a fungus, and care is a fairly regimented process. This publication suggests the steps in the procedure, as well as specific fungicides: http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/A/ANR-0505/index2.tmpl You'll notice that is from the Alabama cooperative extension service. While it should be helpful anywhere, you can consult a local service by clicking on your state here: https://www.almanac.com/content/cooperative-extension-services
You should decide how much time and effort you want to put into this plant, and if you decide not to go further, consider that it is always best to select rose varieties that are blackspot resistant. We hope this helps!
The scent of cut lavender will have the same effect as that of the living plant. However, the scent will fade as the branches dry up, so you will have to replace them with fresh lavender regularly.
Roses can be grown in partial shade, about 3 or 4 hours of sunlight instead of 6 or more hours. Some types do better than others, though. In any case, if you have a spot that provides enough space for the type of rose that you have (did it come with a plant label? Often the label will tell you how high and wide it will grow, and if it is a shrub rose, trailing, or other), and at least some sunlight, then it is worth a try to grow roses there, if there is no other option. The plant may not bloom as much, and the blossoms may not be as large, but you might still be able to enjoy having your very own rose plant. Again, it will depend on the type of rose, and whether it is happy there in other respects, such as soil nutrients etc. I actually have a rose that gets very few hours of direct sunlight, and a yew bush always tries to grow over it; still, I usually get one or two flowers each year from the rose plant, even under such non-ideal conditions. For general rose care, please see the article above. Hope this helps!
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