Oklahomans love roses. There are so many varieties to suit any landscape, but did you know that shrub roses can be the answer to some of our problems in the landscape? Whether you want roses with fragrance or no thorns, or roses that are cold-hardy or tolerate some shade, there are shrub roses that will suit your needs.
Roses are known for their lovely and unique fragrances, and shrub roses are no exception. There are roses with fruity scents like strawberry and peach, and those that smell like honey, carnations or cloves or the classic "rose" fragrance we all treasure. One way to find shrub roses with scents you like is to visit botanical gardens like the Dallas Arboretum, where you can smell the fragrance of the blossoms and decide your favorites. For example, if you enjoy the classic rose fragrance, try Charlotte, with soft yellow flowers that bloom throughout the summer; it is 24-36 inches tall and wide and hardy in Zones 5-9 (remember we are Zone 7). If you prefer pink, try Hawkeye Belle, which also blooms all summer and gets about 48 inches tall. Be sure to plant your fragrant roses where you can enjoy them – at the entrance to a path or near the front of a border or by the front entrance of your home.
Roses with few thorns are easier to handle and prune; if you prefer roses that are almost thornless, try Heritage, which flowers with light pink centers and white outer petals. It has a carnation-like fragrance, grows 4-5 feet and is hardy from Zone 6-9. This rose has few thorns per cane, although some thorns may appear on old canes. Another almost-thornless rose you might want to try is Outta the Blue, with clusters of magentas flower and golden centers and a strong clove and rose fragrance. Not only are these varieties easy to prune, but they are also easy to arrange in bouquets, and they won’t grab a passerby with their thorns!
If you are concerned about cold hardiness, there are some lovely shrub roses which you should consider. Applejack sports semi-double lavender-pink blossoms, blooms throughout the summer and grows from 4-8 feet. It is hardy to temperatures as low as minus 20 degrees F, and is resistance to bud damage if we have a late frost. Another variety is John Franklin, which has deep to medium-red flowers that look like carnations. It grows 3-4 feet tall, tolerates part shade and repeat blooms from early spring to frost.
If you are like many gardeners here in Oklahoma, you have a yard with many trees, so finding roses that will tolerate some shade is desirable. Although shrub roses, like most roses, love the sun, there are some varieties that will tolerate less than the desired minimum of 6 hours a day. For example, Quietness is great for part shade, especially since its pale pink blooms may look washed out in full sun. Quietness has a sweet clove fragrance and grows 4-6 feet tall. Another option is Lyda Rose, which has single white flowers with lavender-rose edges and clove fragrance as well. It blooms from late spring to frost; both these varieties are suitable for our cold and heat zones.
You all know about Knock Out and Flower Carpet series roses, but if you are looking for something unique, try one of the shrub rose varieties. They will beautify your yard and you’ll be glad you did!
Kautz is a retired Air Force Colonel and Master Gardener.
