Rose Classifications

Although there is no one "official" classification system for roses, there are many different popular rose classification schemes throughout the world. The most popular of these systems in use has been proposed by The American Rose Society in cooperation with the World Federation of Roses. While this classification system is not the only one in use, the majority of internationally established societies have adopted this scheme for classifying roses.

According to the American Rose Society, there are three main groups of roses:

• Species Roses
• Old Garden Roses, and
• Modern Roses

Species Roses, the origin of every other rose class existed millions of years before man walked the earth.  They are commonly referred to as "wild roses." These "wild roses" are easy to identify, as they normally have five petals, are once-blooming, and are generally thorny shrubs or climbers. Several popular Species Roses include: Cherokee Roses, Dog Roses, Gallic Roses, French Roses, and Redleaf Roses. Species Roses can be found throughout the Northern Hemisphere, as they flourish in temperate climates.

Old Garden Roses are identified as a major class of roses which were recognized before 1867.  Most Old Garden Roses bloom once a season, usually at the beginning of summer. These roses come in a variety of shrub and vine sizes. Although colors vary, Old Garden Roses are most often white or pastel in color. These "antique roses" are generally preferred for lawns and home gardening because they are easy to care for. Several groupings of roses are classified as Old Garden Roses including: China, Tea, Moss, Damask, Bourbon, Hybrid Perpetual and Noisette roses. Many "antique roses" have a strong sweet scent, which makes them very desirable.  Old Garden Roses are the predecessors of Modern Roses.

Modern Roses are defined as any rose which has been identified since 1867. This group of roses are very popular. The colors of a Modern Rose are lovely, rich and vibrant. Most of the roses found in this class bloom repeatedly when properly care is given. This may be the reason horticulturists find this class so attractive. The most popular roses found in the class of Modern Roses are the hybrid tea, floribunda, and grandiflora.

Unfortunately for those of us in New England, although Modern Roses are beautiful and well liked by florists and gardeners, they do not adapt well to colder environments.

After a rose has been classified according to the three main groupings, a rose can then be further classified by color, scent, growth habit, ancestry, date of introduction, blooming characteristics and size. It is very difficult for horticulturists to classify every rose, especially the hybrid roses which often seem like a grouping of their own. While there has been much debate on classifying roses, the American Rose Society appears to have the most functional system for these stages of classification. Perhaps this is why the American Rose Society's classification system has been adopted by so many rosarians the world over.