FO-06750
1997
College of Agricultural, Food,
and Environmental Sciences
Selecting Hardy Roses for Northern Climates is a listing of roses that survive the winter in northern climates. These roses tend to be vigorous, are relatively disease tolerant, and require little long-term maintenance. Many people broadly refer to these roses as "shrub roses.
This publication includes three rose lists** with information on appropriate names, class, flower color, blooming frequency, size, form, and hardiness zone. This information can be used to guide purchasing.
The first list describes roses that are low maintenance due to their hardiness and disease resistance. The second list identifies roses that may not be entirely hardy, may need some protection (such as a warmer microclimate), and are susceptible to disease and need applications of fungicides. The third list identifies wild roses that can adapt to low-maintenance landscapes. Information is given on where to purchase and view shrub roses, and the bibliography lists books with more information on shrub roses.
The rose lists on the following pages describe cultivars that are commonly available to gardeners. The terminology used in the lists is defined below.
* Formerly University of Minnesota Horticulture or Entomolgy staff.
** Information provided by Kathy Zuzek (University of Minnesota
Horticultural Research Center) and Sam Brungardt (University of
Minnesota Extension Educator).
Cultivar | Class | Flower Color/Type |
Repeat Bloom |
Size (feet) |
Habit | Hardiness Zones |
Comments | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Agnes | H. Rugosa | light yellow- apricot/D |
no | 5 x 5 | dense | 3-4 | very hardy | ||||||||
Alexander MacKenzie | S. Rose | medium red with lighter reverse/D | minimal | 6 x 5.5 | upright | 3-4 | slightly susceptible to powdery mildew, from the Canadian Explorer series** | ||||||||
Applejack | S. Rose | medium pink/SD | yes | 6 x 9 | spreading | 4 | developed by Dr. Griffith Buck at Iowa State University | ||||||||
Assiniboine | H. Suffulta | medium red/SD | no | 4 x 6.5 | dense | 2-4 | slightly susceptible to powdery mildew, general leaf spots, and rust but holds up well** | ||||||||
Autumn Damask | Damask | medium pink/D | no | 4.5 x 6 | dense | 4 | very fragrant; will sucker; slightly susceptible to black spot fungal disease, powdery mildew, and general leaf spots and rust but holds up well | ||||||||
Ballerina | H. Musk | medium pink/S | yes | 3.5 x 4.5 | arching | 4 * | small blooms in large clusters, good continuous bloom | ||||||||
Belle Amour | Alba | light pink/SD | no | 4.5 x 7 | dense | 4 * | will sucker | Cultivar | Class | Flower Color/Type |
Repeat Bloom |
Size (feet) |
Habit | Hardiness Zones |
Comments |
Belle Poitevine | H. Rugosa | medium pink/SD | minimal | 2.5 x 5 | bushy | 3-4 | very fragrant, large orange hips | ||||||||
Blanc Double de Coubert | H. Rugosa | white/D | yes | 5 x 5 | bushy | 2-4 | very white flowers, very fragrant, orange-scarlet fruits | ||||||||
Bonica | Floribunda | shell pink /D | yes | 2.5 x 4 | low arching | 4 * | a hardier Meidiland rose (France) | ||||||||
Captain Samuel Holland | S. Rose | medium red/D | yes | 6 x 4 | spread | 3-4 | small blossoms in clusters, use as a climber** | ||||||||
Carefree Beauty | S. Rose | medium pink/D | yes | 4 x 4 | upright spreading | 4 | developed by Dr. Griffith Buck at Iowa State University | ||||||||
Carefree Wonder | S. Rose | pink with white on reverse/D | yes | 3 x 3 | compact | 4 | bright orange hips, a hardier Meidiland rose (France) | ||||||||
Champlain | Kordesii | dark red/D | yes | 3 x 2.5 | low growing | 4 | very heavy bloomer, slightly susceptible to powdery mildew, from the Canadian Explorer series** | Cultivar | Class | Flower Color/Type |
Repeat Bloom |
Size (feet) |
Habit | Hardiness Zones |
Comments |
Charles Albanel | H. Rugosa | medium red/D | yes | 2 x 4 | low growing | 2-4 | use as a ground cover, from the Canadian Explorer series** | ||||||||
Chuckles | Floribunda | deep pink/SD | yes | 2 x 4 | spreading | 4 * | good continuous bloom, very fragrant | ||||||||
Communis Common Moss Old Pink Moss |
Moss | pale rose/D | no | 7 x 7 | dense | 4 | will sucker | ||||||||
Country Dancer | S. Rose | rose pink/D | yes | 2.5 x 3.5 | dense | 4 * | developed by Dr. Griffith Buck at Iowa State University | ||||||||
Cuthbert Grant | H. Suffulta | dark red/D | yes | 4 x 5 | spreading | 3-4 | hybrid tea form, somewhat susceptible to mildew, black spot, leaf spots, and rust but holds up well** | ||||||||
Dart,s Dash | H. Rugosa | purple red/SD | yes | 3.5 x 4 | dense | 2-4 | large prolific orange hips, powdery mildew at season,s end | ||||||||
David Thompson | H. Rugosa | deep pink/D | yes | 5.5 x 6.5 | dense | 3-4 | blooms continuously, from the Canadian Explorer series** | ||||||||
Delicata | H. Rugosa | light pink/SD | yes | 3 x 4 | bushy | 3-4 | |||||||||
Flower Carpet | S. Rose | deep pink/SD | yes | 2.5 x 3 | low spreading | 2-4 * | sprays of 15-25 flowers grown on own roots | ||||||||
Frau Dagmar Hartopp Fru Dagmar Hastrup |
H. Rugosa | light pink/S | yes | 2.5 x 4 | dense | 3-4 | scarlet hips, very hardy, very fragrant | Cultivar | Class | Flower Color/Type |
Repeat Bloom |
Size (feet) |
Habit | Hardiness Zones |
Comments |
Harison,s Yellow | H. Foetida | dark yellow/SD | no | 6.5 x 11 | dense | 3-4 | will sucker, very hardy, the "yellow rose of Texas" | ||||||||
Henri Martin | Moss | crimson purple/SD | no | 5 x 10 | spreading | 4 | long bloom period, very fragrant | ||||||||
Henry Hudson | H. Rugosa | white/D | yes | 4.5 x 7 | low spreading | 2-4 | flowers need to be deadheaded, will sucker, very hardy, from the Canadian Explorer series** | ||||||||
Jens Munk | H. Rugosa | medium pink/D | yes | 5 x 5 | upright bushy | 2-4 | flowers need to be deadheaded, from the Canadian Explorer series** | ||||||||
John Cabot | Kordesii | deep pink/D | yes | 6 x 8 | long canes | 3-4 | use as a climber, from the Canadian Explorer series** | ||||||||
John Davis | Kordesii | medium pink/D | yes | 5 x 6 | arching | 3-4 | slightly susceptible to powdery mildew** | ||||||||
J.P. Connell | S. Rose | light yellow/D | minimal | 5.5 x 3.5 | spreading | 3-4 | very hardy, slow to establish, but then growth is excellent, susceptible to black spot fungal disease, but holds up well** | ||||||||
Hawkeye Belle | S. Rose | white with pink blush/D | yes | 3.5 x 3 | upright | 4 | very fragrant, lasts a long time when cut, developed by Dr. Buck | ||||||||
Königin von Dänemark | Alba | medium pink/D | no | 3 x 2.5 | open | 4 * | large scarlet hips, very fragrant | ||||||||
L.D. Braithwaite | S. Rose | crimson red/D | yes | 5 x 5 | bushy | 4 | good continuous bloom, a David Austin rose | ||||||||
Lillian Gibson | H. Blanda | medium pink/D | no | 9 x 11 | arching | 4 | very fragrant | Cultivar | Class | Flower Color/Type |
Repeat Bloom |
Size (feet) |
Habit | Hardiness Zones |
Comments |
Madame Hardy | Damask | white/D | no | 4.5 x 6 | dense | 4 | very fragrant, will sucker, somewhat susceptible to general leaf spots | ||||||||
Morden Blush | S. Rose | light pink/D | yes | 2.5 x 2.5 | low growing | 3-4 | although susceptible to black spot fungal disease, it is better than most other Morden roses at tolerating disease** | ||||||||
Morden Centennial | S. Rose | medium pink/D | yes | 5.5 x 4.5 | dense | 3-4 | although susceptible to black spot fungal disease, it is better than most other Morden roses at tolerating disease** | ||||||||
Mrs. John Laing | H. Perpetual | medium pink/D | yes | 4 x 5 | open | 4 * | slightly susceptible to black spot, powdery mildew, and general leaf spots but holds up well | ||||||||
Nearly Wild | Floribunda | medium pink/S | yes | 3 x 5 | bushy | 4 | good continuous bloom | ||||||||
Nuits de Young | Moss | red purple/D | no | 6 x 6.5 | dense | 4 | will sucker | ||||||||
Prairie Princess | S. Rose | pink/SD | yes | 5.5 x 6.5 | open | 4 * | developed by Dr. Buck | ||||||||
Sarah Van Fleet | H. Rugosa | medium pink/SD | yes | 6 x 4 | upright | 4 * | foliage not rugose | ||||||||
Sir Thomas Lipton | H. Rugosa | white/D | yes | 5 x 6 | arching | 3-4 | Cultivar | Class | Flower Color/Type |
Repeat Bloom |
Size (feet) |
Habit | Hardiness Zones |
Comments | |
Stanwell Perpetual | H. Spinosissima | blush pink/D | yes | 3 x 3 | low growing | 3-4 | very fragrant, will sucker | ||||||||
Summer Wind | S. Rose | orange pink/SD | yes | 3 x 3 | dense | 4 * | developed by Dr. Buck | ||||||||
Superb Tuscan Superb Tuscany |
Gallica | crimson to deep purple/SD | no | 4 x 6.5 | dense | 4 | will sucker | ||||||||
The Fairy | Polyantha | light pink/D | yes | 1.5 x 2.5 | compact spreading | 4 | 1-inch flowers in clusters, can be used as a ground cover | ||||||||
Topaz Jewel | H. Rugosa | medium yellow/D | yes | 4 x 6 | upright spreading | 4 | |||||||||
William Baffin | Kordesii | deep pink/D | yes | 7.5 x 10 | long canes | 2-4 | may be used as a climber, very hardy, from the Canadian Explorer series** | ||||||||
William Lobb | Moss | crimson purple/SD | no | 6 x 8 | spreading | 4 * | very fragrant | ||||||||
York and Lancaster R. damascena versicolor |
Damask | blush white to pink, one color or mixed/D |
no | 6 x 8 | spreading | 4 | |||||||||
R. hugonis Father Hugo,s Rose |
Species | medium yellow/S | no | 6 x 10 | spreading | 4 | black hips | Cultivar | Class | Flower Color/Type |
Repeat Bloom |
Size (feet) |
Habit | Hardiness Zones |
Comments |
R. primula | Species | light yellow/S | no | 11 x 14 | arching | 4 | very hardy | ||||||||
R. rugosa | Species | pink to red/S | yes | 4 x 6 | bushy | 2-4 | very fragrant, red hips | ||||||||
R. rugosa alba | Species | white/S | yes | 4 x 6 | bushy | 2-4 | very fragrant, red orange hips | ||||||||
R. rugosa albo-plena | Species | white/D | yes | 4 x 6.5 | bushy | 2-4 | very fragrant | ||||||||
R. rugosa rubra | Species | crimson purple/S | yes | 4 x 6 | bushy | 2-4 | very fragrant, red hips | ||||||||
R. setigera | Species | pink/S | no | 5.5 x 13 | arching | 4 | small brownish green hips, native to North America |
Class: S = Shrub H = Hybrid | Size: Height x Width |
Type: S = Single SD = Semidouble D = Double | |
* Plant routinely dies back | ** Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada |
Cultivar | Class | Flower Color/Type | Repeat Bloom | Size (feet) | Habit | Hardiness Zones | Comments | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Adelaide Hoodless | S. Rose | medium red/SD | yes | 5.5 x 6.5 | Spreading | 3-4 | susceptible to black spot fungal disease** | ||||||||
Alba Meidiland | S. Rose | white/D | yes | 3 x 4 | spreading | 5 | hardiness varies depending on site (may die outcompletely), grown on own roots, Meidiland roses from France | ||||||||
Pink Meidiland | S. Rose | pink blend/S | yes | 4 x 3 | bushy | 5 | same | ||||||||
Red Meidiland | S. Rose | red blend/S | yes | 3 x 4 | spreading | 5 | same | ||||||||
Scarlet Meidiland | S. Rose | medium | yes | 3 x 5 | spreading | 5 | same | ||||||||
Constance Spry | S. Rose | light pink/D | no | 5 x 5 | bushy | 4-5 * | very few blooms in Minnesota because flowers are produced only on old wood, which dies back; a David Austin rose | ||||||||
Dortmund | Kordesii | medium red/S | yes | 4 x 11 | long canes | 5 | dies back to the crown without protection, very healthy, glossy foliage | ||||||||
Eutin | Floribunda | dark red/D | yes | 3 x 3.5 | open | 4 * | susceptible to black spot fungal disease; good continuous bloom | Cultivar | Class | Flower Color/Type | Repeat Bloom | Size (feet) | Habit | Hardiness Zones | Comments |
Grootendorst Supreme | H. Rugosa | dark red/D | yes | 4 x 5.5 | bushy | 3-4 | no fragrance | ||||||||
F.J. Grootendorst | H. Rugosa | medium red/D | yes | 4 x 5.5 | bushy | 4 | susceptible to black spot fungal disease | ||||||||
Frühlingsgold | H. Spinosissima | light yellow/SD | no | 8 x 11 | arching | 5 | susceptible to black spot fungal disease | ||||||||
Golden Wings | S. Rose | light yellow/S | yes | 5 x 4.5 | dense | 4 * | susceptible to black spot fungal disease | ||||||||
Hansa | H. Rugosa | red violet/D | yes | 4 x 5.5 | bushy | 3-4 | susceptible to black spot fungal disease, red hips | ||||||||
Henry Kelsey | Kordesii | medium red/D | yes | 4.5 x 10 | long canes | 3-4 | susceptible to black spot fungal disease, may be used as a climber** | ||||||||
John Franklin | S. Rose | medium red/D | yes | 3 x 4 | upright | 4 | flower petals are malformed; slightly susceptible to black spot fungal disease, leaf spots, and rust** | ||||||||
Martin Frobisher | H. Rugosa | light pink/D | yes | 5 x 6 | upright | 2-4 | susceptible to black spot fungal disease** | ||||||||
Morden Amorette | S. Rose | deep pink/D | yes | 4 x 5 | spreading | 3-4 | susceptible to black spot fungal disease** | ||||||||
Morden Cardinette | S. Rose | medium red/D | yes | 2.5 x 1 | open | 3-4 | susceptible to black spot fungal disease** | ||||||||
Morden Fireglow | S. Rose | orange red/D | yes | 3 x 3 | low bushy | 3-4 | susceptible to black spot fungal disease** | Cultivar | Class | Flower Color/Type | Repeat Bloom | Size (feet) | Habit | Hardiness Zones | Comments |
Morden Ruby | S. Rose | pink blend/D | yes | 3.5 x 5 | spreading | 3-4 | susceptible to black spot fungal disease** | ||||||||
Othello | S. Rose | crimson/D | yes | 6 x 5 | upright | 5 | many other David Austin cultivars are available, almost all are borderline hardy in Zone 4; very fragrant | ||||||||
Graham Thomas | S. Rose | dark yellow/D | yes | 8 x 5 | upright | 5 | same | ||||||||
Winchester Cathedral | S. Rose | white/D | yes | 5 x 5 | bushy | 5 | same | ||||||||
Heritage | S. Rose | light pink/D | yes | 4 x 4 | bushy | 5 | same | ||||||||
Abraham Darby | S. Rose | apricot yellow/D | yes | 4 x 3 | upright | 5 | same | ||||||||
Mary Rose | S. Rose | pink/D | yes | 4 x 4 | bushy | 5 | same | ||||||||
Pink Grootendorst | H. Rugosa | medium pink/D | yes | 3 x 4.5 | dense | 3-4 | no fragrance | ||||||||
Prairie Dawn | S. Rose | medium pink/D | yes | 8 x 10 | upright | 3-4 | susceptible to black spot fungal disease | ||||||||
Reine des Violettes | H. Perpetual | violet red/D | minimal | 3 x 3 | open | 4 | susceptible to black spot fungal disease, very fragrant | ||||||||
Rosa Mundi, Gallica versicolor | Gallica | striped white, pink, red/SD | no | 3.5 x 4 | bushy upright | 4 | susceptible to powdery mildew, will sucker | Cultivar | Class | Flower Color\Type | Repeat Bloom | Size (feet) | Habit | Hardiness Zones | Comments |
Simplicity | Floribunda | medium pink/SD | yes | 4.5 x 3.5 | upright | 5 | although grown on own roots, not root hardy in Minnesota (Jackson and Perkins series) | ||||||||
Red Simplicity | Floribunda | red/SD | yes | 4.5 x 3.5 | upright | 5 | same | ||||||||
White Simplicity | Floribunda | white/SD | yes | 4.5 x 3.5 | upright | 5 | same | ||||||||
Thérèse Bugnet | H. Rugosa | medium pink/D | yes | 5 x 5.5 | open | 2-4 | susceptible to powdery mildew, rust, and general leaf spots; will sucker; very hardy | ||||||||
R. canina | Species | light pink/S | no | 4.5 x 6.5 | arching | 4 | susceptible to black spot fungal disease, scarlet hips | ||||||||
R. foetida bicolor, Austrian Copper | Species | orange w/ yellow reverse/S | no | 5 x 4.5 | upright | 3-4 | susceptible to black spot fungal disease | ||||||||
R. foetida persiana, Persian Yellow | Species | medium yellow/D | no | 6 x 4 | upright | 4 | susceptible to black spot fungal disease | ||||||||
R. multiflora | Species | white/S | no | 4.5 x 12 | arching | 4 * | very few blooms because flowers are produced only on old wood, which dies back; 3/4" flowers in clusters; small red hips | Cultivar | Class | Flower Color\Type | Repeat Bloom | Size (feet) | Habit | Hardiness Zones | Comments |
R. woodsii | Species | medium pink/S | no | 5.5 x 6 | spreading | 4 | susceptible to black spot fungal disease, slightly susceptible to powdery mildew and general leaf spots, native to Minnesota |
Class: S = Shrub H = Hybrid | Size: Height x Width |
Type: S = Single SD = Semidouble D = Double | |
* Plant routinely dies back | ** Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada |
Cultivar | Class | Flower Color/Type | Repeat Bloom | Size (feet) | Habit | Hardiness Zones | Comments |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
R. acicularis Prickly Rose |
Species | deep pink/S | no | 6 x 5 | spreading | 2-4 | rare in the trade |
R. arkansana Prairie Wild Rose |
Species | medium pink/S | minimal | 2.5 x 3.5 | spreading | 2-4 | rare in the trade, small bright red hips |
R. blanda Meadow Rose, Smooth Wild Rose |
Species | medium pink/S | no | 6 x 7 | arching | 2-4 | small red hips |
R. carolina Pasture Rose |
Species | medium pink/S | no | 3 x 3 | dense | 4 | red hips, will sucker |
R. setigera Climbing Rose |
Species | pink/S | no | 5.5 x 13 | arching | 4 | small brownish-green hips |
R. woodsii Wood,s Rose |
Species | medium pink/S | no | 5.5 x 6 | spreading | 2-4 | susceptible to black spot fungal disease, slightly susceptible to powdery mildew and general leaf spots, red hips |
Class: S = Shrub H = Hybrid | Size: Height x Width |
Type: S = Single SD = Semidouble D = Double | |
* Plant routinely dies back | ** Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada |
Many local nurseries and garden centers carry shrub roses.
If you are looking for a particular cultivar, check the Andersen
Horticultural Library,s Source List of Plants and Seeds, 4th
edition (from the 1993-1996 catalogues), at the Minnesota Landscape
Arboretum,s Anderson Horticultural Library, in Chanhassen, Minn.
Another source is the Combined Rose List ($18.00) from
Peter Schneider, Box 677, Mantua, OH 44255.
Many rose clubs give tours of rose gardens. The Minneapolis/St.
Paul area rose clubs include the American Rose Society (North
Central District chapter), Minnesota Rose Society, North Star
Rose Society, and Twin Cities Rose Club. Others include the Mankato
Rose Society, Granite City Rose Society (St. Cloud), and Winona
Rose Society.
The following book supplements this publication and can be ordered from MES Distribution Center, University of Minnesota, 1420 Eckles Ave., St. Paul, MN 55108-6069 (612-624-4900 or 800-876-8636).
Roses for the North: Performance of Shrub and Old Garden Roses at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum (MR-6594) by Kathy Zuzek, Marcia Richards, Steve McNamara, and Harold Pellett. An excellent source for information about bloom characteristics, hardiness, disease resistance, and insect problems of approximately 200 hardy roses. The Minnesota Extension Service publication, Rose Diseases (FS-1163) is included in Appendix B.
Produced by Communication and Educational Technology Services, University of Minnesota Extension Service.
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, this material is available in alternative formats upon request. Please contact your University of Minnesota county extension office or, outside of Minnesota, contact the Distribution Center at (612) 625-8173.
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