There are more than 100 roses that have been given the RHS Award of Garden Merit, proving that roses are still vital to today’s gardens
Rosa 'The Garland'
(Rambler) Long a favourite, the masses of small, creamy white flowers, perhaps with a tinge of pink, are carried in huge heads which give off a powerful citrus fragrance. The overall effect is of a foam of flowers. ‘The Garland’ is more restrained in its vigour than most ramblers of this type, so is more manageable. Ideal trained into a tree, where its hooked thorns help it cling well. 4.5 x 3m (15 x 10ft).
Rosa Sexy Rexy ('Macrexy')
(Floribunda) This splendid, tidy garden rose in rose pink with salmon overtones, begins with darker, tidy, little pointed buds then opens to large clusters of paler, rather flat, rosette flowers – buds and flowers make an attractive combination all summer. The fragrance is modest, but for a prolific display on small and manageable yet bushy little plants Sexy Rexy is ideal. 60 x 60cm (2 x 2 ft).
Rosa Prince William ('Korzaun')
(Hybrid Tea) Launched at RHS Chelsea Flower Show in 1983 to celebrate the birth of HRH Prince William in 1982, the flowers are a classic Hybrid Tea shape in bud and mature to look slightly flat and old-fashioned with an attractive, subtle fragrance. The deep velvety red blooms open prolifically over a long season on neat and bushy growth. An appealing combination of shape and colour. Rose of The Year in 1987. 75 x 60cm (30 x 24in).
Rosa 'Penelope'
(Hybrid Musk) From salmon-orange buds the opening flowers soften to creamy pink and may fade almost to white in periods of bright sun. Set against vigorous but bushy growth and broad foliage with reddish tints, the effect is impressive - only bettered by the blooms’ heavy fragrance. In autumn, the flowers are followed by small hips that turn from pale green to coral-pink. 1.3 x 1.2m (5 x 4ft).
Rosa 'New Dawn'
(Climber) One of the finest of all roses, and known for its unusually long flowering period. The pale blush, silvery pink, semi-double flowers with their lovely scent keep coming from June until the frosts, and are set against dark green foliage. Usually seen as a climber, when the style of pruning will determine its height, 'New Dawn' can also be grown as a large weeping standard. 3-6 x 1.3-2.4m (10-20 x 5-8 ft).
Rosa Mountbatten ('Harmantelle')
(Floribunda) A healthy rose with robust, upright, often thorny growth and distinctive leathery foliage. The flowers look old-fashioned and are pure yellow although their scent is modest. Makes a bold specimen and is especially good as a hedge. Raised by Jack Harkness, of Harkness Roses, who served with Lord Mountbatten in Burma. The first Rose of The Year in 1982. 1.3 x 0.9m (5 x 3ft).
Rosa Margaret Merrill ('Harkuly')
(Floribunda) Flowering continuously all summer, numerous, large white blooms are carried in small clusters over a long season. Blush-tinted in the centre, with golden stamens, they open from elegant buds and carry an exceptional fragrance. Less prone to mildew and other diseases than similar old favourite Iceberg ('Korbin'), and with darker foliage carried on sturdy growth, this is an ideal small-garden rose. 90 x 90cm (3 x 3 ft).
Rosa Kent ('Poulvoc')
(Ground cover) One of the best of the series of groundcover roses named for the English counties, its large trusses of pure white, semi-double blooms open over a long period on plants that remain remarkably compact and spreading in their growth. The flowers are unusually resistant to bad weather and are set against dense, healthy foliage which makes an ideal background. 60cm (2ft) high and spreading to 90cm (3ft).
Rosa Graham Thomas ('Ausmas')
(English Rose) Large and impressive, this English Rose was perhaps the first of David Austin’s to make universal impact. The cupped, unusually-rich yellow flowers are elegantly bowl-shaped and deliciously scented. Rather upright in habit, it can make an effective climber. Named for the scholar, introduced at Chelsea in 1983 and voted the world’s most popular rose in 2003. 1.2 x 1.2m (4 x 4 ft).
Rosa 'Buff Beauty'
(Hybrid Musk) Superb as a broad specimen rose, perhaps on a gentle slope or trailing over a low wall, the coral-tinted buds open to warm apricot buff flowers in long open sprays although the colour may vary from season to season. Opening from midsummer into autumn, the flowers have a wonderful fragrance reminiscent of Tea roses and are set against dark green foliage which is well-bronzed when young. Can also be grown as a climber. 1.8 x 1.8m (6 x 6ft).
FAQs
Queen Elizabeth Rose was voted the most beloved rose variety in 1979, and it is also considered the most beautiful rose in the world. Queen Elizabeth Rose possesses an elegant, sophisticated beauty with its gentle pink tone, along with an incredibly alluring sweet fragrance.
What is the most beautiful rose in the world? ›
Queen Elizabeth Rose was voted the most beloved rose variety in 1979, and it is also considered the most beautiful rose in the world. Queen Elizabeth Rose possesses an elegant, sophisticated beauty with its gentle pink tone, along with an incredibly alluring sweet fragrance.
How do I arrange my rose plants in my garden? ›
In your rose garden design, give each rose a space as wide as the plant's mature height. For example, if a rose tag says the plant will reach four to five feet, give it 2 to 2.5 feet clearance on all sides. You'll also appreciate this liberal spacing when you need to prune your roses.
What is the easiest climbing rose to grow? ›
Gorgeous 'Lady of Shalott' is one of the most reliable climbing roses; it's offered by English rose breeder David Austin. Suitable for Zones 5-10, it bears handfuls of apricot-yellow flowers, each of which can have up to 60 petals. This variety tolerates poor soil and climbs to 8' tall.
Which climbing roses bloom the longest? ›
Rosa 'Golden Showers' (Climbing Rose)
It blooms continuously from midsummer to early fall, showcasing its glossy dark green leaves. With an upright growth and almost thornless stems, it is perfect for small gardens, walls, arbors, and arches.
What is the world's favorite rose? ›
Rosa Graham Thomas ('Ausmas')
The cupped, unusually-rich yellow flowers are elegantly bowl-shaped and deliciously scented. Rather upright in habit, it can make an effective climber. Named for the scholar, introduced at Chelsea in 1983 and voted the world's most popular rose in 2003.
What is the most expensive rose flower in the world? ›
Probably the most popular English Rose and at the same, the most luxurious is the David Austin Juliet Rose. This particular rose variety is well-loved in weddings due to its delicate beauty. It took 10 years for this well-known rose to be developed hence it is considered to be the most expensive rose ever.
What color roses look best together? ›
A classic colour combination for rose planting is pink and blue. Blue Geranium varieties, Lavender, Nepeta or Salvias all complement bright pink rose varieties beautifully.
What do I put in my soil before planting roses? ›
To loosen the soil, mix dehydrated cow manure, garden compost or peat moss (up to 1/3 concentration) into your pile of topsoil. Make sure the peat moss you get is either baled sphagnum or granular peat.
How to create the best rose garden? ›
Space: Roses should be planted 30 to 36 inches apart. Sun: Roses want six or more hours of sunlight per day. Air: Roses thrive in well-ventilated and warm conditions. If they are left too wet and windswept, they may show signs of distress.
"Epsom salts can help prevent magnesium deficiency in roses, resulting in healthier foliage," says Harvell. What's more, additional magnesium supply may produce more blooms, larger flowers, and support the formation of strong stems.
What is the hardest rose to grow? ›
Alba. These old roses are considered to be some of the toughest you can grow. Flowers are always white or pale pink, set against characteristic grey-green leaves.
Which roses bloom the most? ›
In general, climbing roses tend to produce more flowers when grown horizontally rather than vertically like most rose varieties. Producing large blooms, almost all climbing roses are repeat bloomers.
What is the best month to plant climbing roses? ›
Potted climbing roses can be planted at any time of the year providing the ground is not frozen or lying wet. Between the beginning of autumn and early spring when they're dormant can be best, allowing the roots to establish before your rose bursts into life in the spring.
What's the difference between a climbing rose and a rambling rose? ›
Another clue is that climbing rose flowers are usually more refined, larger, and come in all possible modern rose colours and bi-colours, whereas Rambling rose flowers usually simpler, smaller (but massed together in clusters) and are mostly limited to the natural rose colours: pink, yellow, and white.
What is the most vigorous climbing rose? ›
Rose 'Iceberg'
This is the a climbing form of the most popular white floribunda of our time with a vigorous, branching growth habit and masses of finely-toothed, ovate, glossy mid-green deciduous leaves.
Which is the most beautiful Colour of rose? ›
The most beautiful colour of a rose is red, as it symbolises beauty, passion, desire, and romantic love.
What is the rarest color rose? ›
Because the Blue Rose is the rarest color of rose, you can expect the price of the flower to be higher than other colors. Due to the fact that the blue rose is a unique rare color, it is best to contact your florist well in advance when ordering a bouquet of these mysterious flowers.
What is the most unique rose? ›
Pink Grootendorst
They have a beautiful deep pink hue and are perennial plants. These unique roses are hardy and flourish in full sun to partial shade conditions.
Rosa Prince William ('Korzaun')
Rosa Kent ('Poulvoc')
