Along with old-garden roses, rosarians recommend Canadian Hardy, David Austin/English and Buck shrub roses for first-time growers or people who don’t want to baby their rose beds. “Some of these roses would practically grow in concrete,” says Franson. Here are The Denver Rose Society’s top 20 easy-to-grow, disease-resistant, winter-hardy roses.
Abraham Darby. David Austin, peach-pink blooms
Bonica. Shrub, shell-pink
Carefree Beauty. Shrub, pink
Cupcake. Miniature, medium- pink
Gizmo. Miniature, orange-white
Heritage. David Austin, shell pink
Jeanne Lajoie. Miniature climber, bluish-pink
John Davis. Hybrid Kordessii climber, pink
Sally Holmes. Shrub, white-pink
Winnipeg Parks. Shrub, deep pink
Betty Boop. Floribunda, red-ivory
Chicago Peace. Hybrid tea, pink-yellow
Double Delight. Hybrid tea, red-white
Europeana. Floribunda, dark red
Gold Medal. Grandiflora, rich gold
Iceberg. Floribunda, white
Mister Lincoln. Hybrid tea, red
Peace. Hybrid tea, yellow-pink
Queen Elizabeth. Grandiflora, rich pink
Touch of Class. Hybrid tea, pink-coral
Vicky Uhland
Want a copy of “Growing Roses in Colorado?” Call Joan Franson at 303-424-3942. Each booklet is $7.
Want to learn what the rosarians know? The American Rose Society Spring National Convention will be in Denver June 26-30 at the Four Points Sheraton Hotel Southeast. Registration is $68 before May 15, $88 thereafter.
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