Ultimate Guide to the Different Types of Roses

Did you know that different types of roses work very well in cut flower bouquets? The sheer variety you get makes them extremely popular for home gardens, and you can even grow them indoors if you get miniature roses. They produce beautiful blooms in an array of beautiful colors, and they can last for several seasons. This makes them a nice addition to any garden, and you can grow them easily at your home or office. They also come in different aromas and shapes, and you can easily mix and match them to create an array of colorful blooms that draw the eye. 

With the different types of roses available, some are easier to care for than others. No matter if you’re looking for a rose without thorns, one that blooms continuously, or one that is very easy to care for, my list will outline the different types of roses you can get for your home. I’ll give you pictures of each one as well, and this will help you identify which roses will work best for your space and color scheme. 

1. Charles de Mills

The first type of rose on the list is Charles de Mills. This is a slightly larger plant that can grow between four and five feet tall, and it is best planted outside if you live in zones 4 to 10. This type of rose will produce very large blooms in a stunning royal purple shade, and the blooms do have a very strong fragrance that will attract pollinators to your yard. This makes it a great pick for butterfly gardens or by your patio where you can enjoy it. You’ll want to plant it in an area that gets full sun with a well-drained but rich soil, and it should be medium moisture for the watering frequency. 

Credit: Gallica Rose “Charles de Mills” by Amanda Slater / CC BY-SA 2.0

2. Dortmund 

If you want to create a climbing garden and add height to your landscaping, this is the type of rose to have because it grows between 6 and 10 feet tall at full maturity. It does require full sun, but it’ll produce very eye-catching red blooms that have an open face with a white center. The flowers come in red or white hues, and they love hardiness zones 5 to 19. You will have to plant them in an area that offers well-draining soil, and you will have to water them regularly to keep the moisture levels up. This plant won’t tolerate drought very well, but it’ll reach for the sunlight to help it grow up with graceful arches.

Credit: Dortmund by Malcolm Manners / CC BY 2.0

3. Duchesse de Brabant

This is a delicate-looking type of rose that gives off a subtle scent, and it falls into the teacup rose category. This makes it a slightly smaller rose that will grow between two and three feet tall at full maturity, and it does well in zones 4 to 10 when you plant it outside. You’ll get fully double-cupped blooms with this plant, and the flowers come in a very soft pink shade that stands out from the dark green foliage. You will need to plant this rose in an area that gets full sun in a well-draining soil, and you should try to keep the moisture levels even and light. Don’t saturate the soil, but don’t let it dry out either. 

Credit: Duchesse de Brabant (1) by Malcolm Manners / CC BY 2.0

4. Altissimo

Altissimo has bright coloring, and this type of rose produces larger four-inch blooms that look wonderful as fall decor when you cut them and put them in a vase. This is an impressive species that grows between four and nine-feet tall, and the blooms will last for months. It’s excellent to put by a sitting area or patio outside, and it does best in zones 5 to 10. You’ll get bright red flowers from the spring to the fall months, and it needs to be in a place where it gets full sun. The soil should drain very well between watering sessions, and it should be rich. Water them once a week to keep them happy. 

Credit: Altissimo by Elizabeth Donoghue / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

5. Zepherine Drouhin

Anyone who wants bright pink roses that bloom from early spring until well into the fall months should take a look at this type of rose. They can grow between 4 and 12 feet tall, and they’ll grow and flourish outside if you plant them in zones five to nine. This rose is slightly different from others on the list as it does very well in partial shade or full sun, and it likes to have a soil that drains very well after each watering session. You’ll water it more in full sun to keep the soil lightly damp than you will if it gets shade during the hotter part of the day. It has bright green foliage to help the blooms stand out. 

Credit: Zepherine Drouhin Rose by Linda N. / CC BY 2.0

6. Portulaca Grandiflora

Portulaca Grandiflora roses are a type of rose that does especially well when you use it in companion planting. It doesn’t take over the area around it, and it has interesting foliage that adds texture to your garden or landscape. They offer succulent-type foliage with flowers that come in shades of orange, yellow, white, pink, or red. They only grow between three and six inches tall, so they won’t obscure any flowers planted behind or around them, and they do best outside in zones 2 to 12. You will want to keep the soil relatively damp, and it should drain most of the moisture away after you water. To keep the colors strong and the plant thriving, put it in an area that gets full sun. 

Credit: Portulaca Grandiflora by Carl Lewis / CC BY 2.0

7. Rose du Roi

This is a medium-sized type of rose that usually grows between two and three feet tall when you plant it in zones 5 to 10, and it’s a very low-maintenance species. It’ll produce slightly larger double-blooms during the summer months that fade in the fall, and it comes in a red or purple tone. It does have a slightly lighter green foliage to it to help it stand out, and the colors get more vibrant if you plant it in an area that gets sunlight for at least four to six hours every day. You should try to keep the soil relatively moist, but it should also be rich and drain well between watering sessions. 

Credit: Rosa ‘Rose du Roi’ by Orfano Mondo / CC BY-NC 2.0

8. Double Knockout

Knockout roses can create a bold statement in your yard or garden, and this type of rose will produce clusters of double blooms that start showing in the early spring months and continue well into early fall. They can grow between three and four feet tall when you put them in a well-draining soil and make a habit to water them once or twice a week to keep the soil semi-moist. You’ll get bold red flowers, and they can grow well in full sun or partial shade without a problem. Ideally, they’ll get morning sunlight and shade in the afternoon to prevent scorching. 

Credit: Double Knock Out Rose by Doug McAbee / CC BY-NC 2.0

9. Cherry Parfait

Cherry Parfait is a type of rose you plant if you want two-tone blooms. The flowers come with bright white centers and frilled pink edges that make them a very eye-catching addition to your yard or garden. They can grow between four and five feet tall at full maturity when you plant them outdoors in zones four to nine. They also do well indoors if you plant them in a well-draining potting soil and remember to water them around once a week. They will need a slightly larger pot to support the plant’s size, and they produce dark green foliage to help offset the flower colors. 

Credit: Cherry Parfait Rose by Isthmene Yoshizawa / CC BY-NC 2.0

10. Princess Alexandra of Kent

The Princess Alexandra of Kent type of rose produces cupped blooms that are unusually large from the spring months into the late summer, and it’ll grow around three to four feet tall. This makes it a nice addition to your walkways or porches to add pops of color without taking over the space. It is best planted in zones five to nine, and you’ll get soft pink flowers with medium-green foliage. The soil should drain very well when you water it to prevent root rot, but it shouldn’t dry out. They like full sun to encourage healthy growth and blooming. 

Credit: Princess by M’s Photography / CC BY 2.0

11. Gruss an Aachen

This smaller type of rose offers fully double rosette blooms starting in the late spring and continuing on into the early fall months. It only grows one or two feet tall at the highest point, and this ensures that it won’t obscure your view or create too much shade for the plants around it. It grows outdoors in zones 4 to 11 without a problem, and it produces soft cream colored flowers. You’ll want to ensure that you keep the soil slightly moist, but the soil should be rich and drain very well. You want to put it in a place that gets between four and six hours of sunlight a day. 

Credit: Rose ‘Gruss an Aachen’ by Leonora (Ellie) Enking / CC BY-SA 2.0

12. Flower Carpet Amber

The Flower Carpet Amber type of rose is an excellent walkway edging idea that will add pops of pale yellow-orange to your landscape while not growing out of control. It’ll grow between two and three feet tall under the proper growing conditions, and it needs to be in zones 4 to 11 to do well. This rose offers a longer blooming season that starts in the early spring months and goes until the first frost of the year. The soil should drain very well between watering sessions, but you can plant this type of rose in full sun or partial shade and have it do very well. 

Credit: Rosa Flower Carpet Amber ‘Noa97400a’ by Tim Schofield / CC BY 2.0

13. Eternal Flame

The Eternal Flame type of rose grows between four and five feet tall, and it has pretty butter-yellow blooms that can be slightly larger in size. As a bonus, the flowers will also produce a very strong citrus scent the entire time they bloom. These types of roses do best in zones six to nine if you’re going to plant them outside, and you should put them in an area that gets full, direct sun for at least four or six hours every day. The soil should drain well, and you can enrich it once a year with compost to give the plant a boost. 

Credit: Eternal Flame by KaCey97078 / CC BY-NC 2.0

14. Mother of Pearl

The Mother of Pearl is another type of rose that will produce larger blooms that are around 3.5-inches across, and they come in a very pale pink or peach-toned color. They start to bloom in the late spring months and go into the late fall, and the plant can grow to be between three and four feet tall. It has slightly darker foliage that helps the blooms stand out, and it does best planted in zones five to nine. You will need to make a point to keep the soil at a medium moisture level, and this can be challenging since this plant also likes full sun for several hours a day. 

Credit: New York Botanical Garden by Kimon Berlin / CC BY-SA 2.0

15. Julia Child

Do you like the smell of licorice? If so, this type of rose is for you. When the flowers bloom in the middle of spring, they’ll give off a strong licorice scent until they fade in the early fall months. You’ll also get buttery yellow blooms with bright green foliage that make this plant stand out. It only grows up to three feet tall so it won’t block your views, and it does very well if you plant it in zones 5 to 10. You will need to keep the soil relatively moist, and the soil should also be well-draining. Plant it in an area that gets full sun every day to encourage continuous blooms. 

Credit: Julia Child 5 by Steven Reynolds / CC BY 2.0

16. Blaze 

The Blaze type of rose is a show-stopper that can make a bold statement if you incorporate it into your backyard or pond design. This type of rose can grow to an impressive 15 feet tall at full maturity, and it will produce deep red blooms that have a very light floral scent. You can plant it outside in zones 6 to 10 and it’ll thrive, especially if you find a place that has rich soil that drains very well. The red flowers stand out from the mild-green foliage, and you can also plant it in a place that gets full or partial sun without worrying about the colors fading or it reaching. 

Credit: Rankrose “Blaze” ( Jackson+Perkins 1954) by Patrick Nouhailler / CC BY-SA 2.0

17. Lemon Delight

If you’re ready to add a sunny pop of yellow to your garden or landscape, try the Lemon Delight type of rose. As the name suggests, it has a bright yellow coloring with medium-green foliage that helps it pop. The bushes can grow between two and three feet tall, and they’ll start producing very fragrant blooms in the early spring months and continue on well into summer. They do need to be in zones 6 to 10 for them to do well outside, and they like rich but well-draining soil that wicks most of the water away. Put them in an area that gets full sunlight every day to encourage continuous blooming. 

Credit: Lemon Roses by Amanda / CC BY-SA 2.0

18. American Pillar

This large type of rose can help you form a thick and natural privacy wall if you use it in your landscape edging. It can get between 10 and 20 feet tall under the right growing conditions, especially if you plant it in an area that falls between zones four to nine. It produces hot pink flowers that have vibrant yellow stamens, and this creates a bold and eye-catching display from early spring into the summer months. It likes well-draining but rich soil, and you should water it at least once or twice a week. When you plant it, put it in an area that gets partial shade or full sun. 

Credit: American Pillar Rose by Meinhardt Art Photo / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

19. Fairy Rose

A Fairy rose is a slightly smaller type of rose that will get between two and four feet tall, but it produces smaller blooms in shades of pink. This rose does well in containers indoors and outdoors, but you have to fall in zones four to nine for it to thrive planted outside. It needs a soil that drains very well between watering sessions, and you should keep the soil semi-moist. You can put this plant in an area that gets full sun, but it’ll also do very well planted in partial shade. If you put it in a container, you can easily move it around throughout the day to get enough sun. 

Credit: Fairy Rose by Michael Kensinger / CC BY 2.0

20. Double Delight

The Double Delight is a type of rose that offers two-toned blooms on every flower. This makes it an excellent plant to place next to any outdoor benches you have because it creates visual interest. It does well planted in zones five to nine, and it’ll grow between three and five feet tall. If you want it to reach the higher end of the growth spectrum, make sure that it is in a well-draining soil with full sun. Additionally, you should work to keep the soil slightly moist between watering sessions. This plant will reward you with cream and red blooms wit ha spicy fragrance and darker foliage.

 

Credit: Double Delight Rose by Audrey / CC BY 2.0

21. Dark Night

Dark Night is a striking type of rose that will produce a very dramatic colored bloom. The reason it has this name is because the rose routinely develops very dark hues, and this isn’t very common with roses. The flowers are typically a dark burgundy color, and the bush can grow up to six feet tall. They have longer stems with darker foliage too. Dark Night needs loose and well-draining soil that you keep to a medium moisture level, and they need full sun to develop those darker flowers. If they don’t get enough sun, the plant will reach for the light and lean. 

Credit: Dark Night Rose by Renee Grayson / CC BY 2.0

22. Graham Thomas

Graham Thomas is arguably one of the most recognizable types of roses in the world, and it’s immensely popular to put by your porch or deck because it grows an impressive 5 to 10 feet tall. It blooms in the early spring months and continues well into the fall, and you’ll get bright yellow blooms with dark foliage that look cheerful and make a great addition to your rock garden. They do need medium moisture at all time in a well-draining soil, but they do well in zones 5 to 10 if you plant them in a place that gets partial shade or full sun every day. 

Credit: Graham Thomas by k yamada / CC BY-SA 2.0

23. Lady Emma Hamilton

Not only does this type of rose have a pretty orange or coral coloring, but it also comes with a strong citrus scent that is very pleasant when the blooms open in the early spring months. The dark green foliage helps these flowers stand out even more, and it grows best in zones five to nine. The soil should drain very well when you water it, and it needs full sun. This rose only grows to be three or four feet tall at full maturity, but it has slightly longer stems that look fantastic in cut flower arrangements. 

Credit: Lady Emma Hamilton by harrypope / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

24. Tickled Pink

Tickled Pink is a type of rose that has cheerful light pink blooms that have ruffled edges. It produces a large quantity of these blooms in the early spring months, and it continues to bloom well into the late summer months. It can grow between two and three feet tall at full maturity, and it does best if you plant it outside in USDA hardiness zones 6 to 19. The soil should be slightly more rich, but it should also drain very well between watering to help prevent rot. You don’t want to keep the soil saturated, and you should plant it in an area that gets full sun for several hours a day. 

Credit: Tickled Pink by Susie Blackmon / CC BY-NC 2.0

25. Iceberg

The final type of rose on the list is the Iceberg rose. It has won the prestigious Award of Garden Merit, and this award comes from the Royal Horticultural Society. When you grow this rose, you’ll get large blooms in a pure white coloring, and it can grow between 3 and 12 feet tall. So, be careful where you plant it. It should be in zones 5 to 19 with a well-draining soil. This plant does best in full sun, as long as you keep the soil relatively moist. The flowers on this plant make excellent additions to cut flower bouquets, and the green foliage helps them stand out.

Credit: Iceberg Rose by Kym Farnik / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Bottom Line

These 24 types of roses can help you fill in your yard with large and fragrant blooms, and they can also add height if you choose one of the taller varieties. They can bloom from the early spring straight until the first frost, and most of them like well-drained soil and full sun. This makes it easy to mix and match types of roses without worrying about coordinating different growing preferences. I invite you to take a look at the list and see which types of roses will complement your garden or landscape design.