Roses - My Favorite Flower

Although there is no one set of "official" classification of roses, there are many different popular classification schemes that are employed throughout the world. The most popular of the systems in use has been proposed by The American Rose Society. Although this classification system is not the only one in use, a large majority of internationally established societies have adopted this scheme for classifying the plant.

According to the Society, there are three main groupings : the Species; the Old Garden; and the Modern.


Species Rose, the origin of every other class, are commonly referred to as "the wild rose." It is easy to identify, as it normally has five petals, are once-blooming, and are generally thorny shrubs or climbers. Several popular Species include: the Cherokee, the Dog, the Gallic, the French and the Redleaf Rose. They can be found throughout the Northern Hemisphere, as they flourish in temperate climates



Lucinda Rose


Unlike Species Roses, which existed millions of years before man walked the earth, Old Garden varieties are identified as a major class recognized before 1867.

Most Old Garden Roses bloom once per season, usually at the arrival of summer. They occur in a variety of shrub and vine sizes. Although colors vary, they are typically white or pastel in color. These "antique " are generally preferred for lawns and home gardening because they are easy to care for. Several groupings are classified as the Old Garden Rose including: China, Tea, Moss, Damask, Bourbon, Hybrid Perpetual and Noisette. The "antique rose" has a strong sweet scent, which makes it very desirable.

The Old Garden is the predecessors of the Modern Rose. Any species which has been identified post 1867 is considered a Modern class. This group is very popular. The colors of a Modern variety are lovely, rich and vibrant. Most of them found in this class flower repeatedly when cared for properly. Perhaps that is why horticulturists find this class so attractive.
The most popular found in the class of the Modern Rose class are the hybrid tea, floribunda, and grandiflora.

Although the Modern class is adored by florists and gardeners, they do not adapt well to colder environments.

After a they have been classified according to the three main groupings, they can then be further classified by color, scent, and growth habit.

Index of Roses