Growing Roses In Florida
Jump to: Photos of Members’ Gardens
Jump to: Rose Classifications
Jump to: Preferred Rose List of the Bradenton-Sarasota Rose Society
If you would like to join the society the following link is for the BSRS Membership Form.
Can I grow roses successfully in Florida?
Absolutely! Our members have successfully grown anywhere from 2 to 200 rose bushes in their gardens and can guide you with:
Planning and Designing:
- Where to place the garden
- Hours of sunlight
- Access to water
- Size
- Shape
Preparing the Rose Bed
- Raised Beds
- Containers
- Soil
- Mulch
Choosing Rose Bushes
- Which grow successfully in your zone
- How many
- Spacing
- Root Stock
- Classifications
Planting New Roses
- How to plant potted roses
- How to plant bare root roses
- How to plant in the ground
- How to plant in containers
Successfully Maintaining Your Rose Garden
- Watering
- Fertilizing
- Pruning
- Dead heading
- Spray or No-Spray
Resource: Growing Roses In Florida, UF/IFAS
Photos Of Members' Gardens
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Rose Classifications
The American Rose Society defines Old Garden Roses as: those types that existed prior to 1867. , the year of introduction of the very first hybrid tea, ‘La France’. Within this generic definition, a number of popular sub-divisions exist based on natural historical developments and characteristics. The flower form can be quartered, cupped, imbricated or expanded, reflexed, globular or compact. After an initial spring crop of blooms, some varieties may produce no more flowers the rest of the year, but their hip production does add a different kind of beauty to the garden. The most popular classes are:”
Alba, Ayrshire, Bourbon & Climbing Bourbon, Boursalt, Centifolia, China & Climbing China, Damask, Eglanteria, Gallica, Hybrid Bractreata, Hybrid China & Climbing Hybrid China, Hybrid Foetida, Hybrid Multiflora, Hybrid Perpetual & Climbing Hybrid Perpetual, Hybrid Sempervirens, Hybrid Setigera, Hybrid Spinosissima, Miscellaneous OGRs, Moss & Climbing Moss, Noisette, Portland, Tea & Climbing Tea
The American Rose Society defines Modern Roses as follows: “The era of modern roses was established in1867 with the introduction of the first hybrid tea, ‘La France’, by the French breeder Guillot. This variety was considered unique for a number of important horticultural reasons. First, it possessed the general habit of a hybrid perpetual as well as the elegant shaped buds and free-flowering character of a tea rose. By the late 20th century, more than 10,000 hybrid teas had been bred with great success. The introduction of ‘La France’ heralded the era of modern roses. Breeders were quick to recognize that planned parenthood could evolve new flower forms, size, growth habit and colors. Therefore, the following new classifications based on growth habit evolved.”
Floribunda & Climbing Floribunda, Grandiflora & Climbing Grandiflora, Hybrid Gigantea, Hybrid Moyesii, Hybrid Musk, Hybrid Rugosa, Hybrid Tea & Climbing Hybrid Tea, Hybrid Wichurana, Kordesii, Large-Flowered Climber, Miniature & Climbing Miniature, Polyantha & Climbing Polyantha, Shrub
The American Rose Society defines Species Roses as: “Often referred to as ‘wild roses’, species roses are usually single-petaled (4-8 petals), once-blooming and have a bush size ranging from 2 to 20 feet. They are listed according to their Latin name, beginning with R. for Rosa and can have common synonyms. For example, R. foetida bicolor is also known as ‘Austrian Copper’.”
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Preferred Rose List of the Bradenton-Sarasota Rose Society
by Constance Vierbicky, Master Consulting Rosarian
The following is a list of roses that grow exceptionally well in the Bradenton-Sarasota area. They are in alphabetical order – not – the preferred selection order. Their color classifications are in parentheses and their American Rose Society rating is also listed. This by NO MEANS is a comprehensive list but rather a starter list for those new to the area. For additional rose questions contact a B-SRS Consulting Rosarian at info@b-srs.org.
Updated 06/2025
Hybrid Teas/Grandifloras
Beverly (pb) 7.8
Brides Dream (lp) 8.1
Cherry Parfait (Gr-rb) 8.0
Dainty Bess (lp) 8.5
Dick Clark (Gr-rb )7.8
St. Patrick (yb) 8.0
Double Delight (rb) 8.4
Elina (ly) 8.6
Flo Nelson (yb) +
Fragrant Cloud (or) 8.1
Gemini (pb) 8.2
Gold Medal (Gr-my) 8.3
Grand Dame (dp) 7.7
Hot Princess (dp) 7.9
Let Freedom Ring (mr) 7.9
Louise Estes (pb) 8.3
Melody Parfumee (Gr-m) 7.8
Memorial Day (mp) 7.9
Mister Lincolnn (dr) 8.3
Moonstone (w) 8.2
Perfect Moment (rb) 7.8
Pope John Paul II (w) 7.5
Pristine (w) 8.6
Queen Elizabeth (Gr-mp) 8.1
Tahitian Sunset (ab) 7.7
Randy Scott (w) 7.6
Ring of Fire (ob) 8.3
The McCartney Rose (mp) 8.2
Touch of Class (op) 8.9
Twlight Zone (Gr-m) 7.3
Veteran’s Honor (dr) 8.1
Floribundas/Polyanthas
Angel Face (m) 7.7
Apricot Nectar (ab) 8.0
Burgundy Iceberg (m) 7.6
Cecil Brunner (Pol-lp) 8.5
Celestial Knight (m) 8.1
China Doll (Pol-mp) 8.1
Europeana (dr) 8.6
Hot Cocoa (r) 7.9
Iceberg (w) 8.7
Ivory Fashion (w) 8.3
Julia Child (my) 8.2
Kanegem (or) 8.3
La Marne (Pol-pb) 8.4
Lady of the Dawn (lp) 8.4
Love Song (m) 7.5
O My! (dr) 7.8
Our Lady of Guadalupe (pb) 8.0
Playgirl (mp) 8.4
Plum Perfect (m) 8.4
Pumpkim Patch (ob) 7.6
Scentimental (rb) 7.7
Sugar Moon (w) 7.7
Sunflare (my) 8.3
Sunsprite (dy) 8.5
The Fairy (Pol-lp) 8.7
Trumpeter (or) 8.2
Violet’s Pride (m ) 7.6
Miniatures
Bee’s Knees (yb) 8.6
Chessie’s Favorite (dr) 7.9
Erin Alonso (my) 7.7
Fairhope (ly) 8.2
Figurine (w) 8.0
Giggles (mp) 8.8
Glowing Amber (rb) 8.2
Gourmet Popcorn (w) 8.7
Hot Tamale (yb) 8.3
Incognito (m) 8.0
Irrestible (w) 9.0
Jean Kenneally (ab) 9.1
Joy (pb) 7.9
Kristin (rb) 8.1
Louisvile Lady (dp) 7.6
Miss Flippins (mr) 8.1
Nancy Jean (ab) 7.7
Peggy “T” (mr) 8.5
Pierrine (op) 9.0
Rainbow’s End (yb) 8.7
Renegade (rb) 7.5
SimSaLaBim (rb) +
Softee (w) 8.0
Soroptimist International (pb) 7.9
Sweet Chariot (m) 8.4
Ty (dy) 7.6
Mini-Floras
Autumn Splendor (yb) 8.1
Bold Ruler (mr) 7.7
Butter Cream (my) 7.8
Charismatic (rb) 7.5
Conundrum (yb) 7.7
Cooper (mr) 7.9
Dr. John Dickman (m) 7.8
Dr. Troy Garret (mr) 7.9
Fitzhugh’s Diamond (yb) 7.9
Foolish Pleasure (pb) 7.8
Leading Lady (w) 7.8
Louisville Lady (dp) 7.6
Power Point (mr) 7.6
Princess Katelyn (pb) 7.6
Robin Alonso (dr) 7.8
Shirley Raye (yb) 8.0
Show Stopper (ab) 7.7
Solar Flair (yb) 7.4
Straberry Kisses (rb) 8.4
Tabasco Cat (or) 7.4
Tammy Clemons (mr) 7.6
Tiffany Lynn (pb) 8.1
Unbridled (yb) 7.5
Whirlaway (w) 7.7
Old Garden Roses
Baronne Prevost (mp) 8.6
Blush Noisette (w) 8.5
Celine Forrestier (ly) 8.7
Cramosi Superior (mr) 8.8
Duchesse de Brabant (lp) 8.6
Eugene E. Marlitt (mr) 8.6
Francis Dubreuil (dr) 8.0
Green Rose (green) 8.0
Kronprinzessin Viktoria (w) 8.0
Lady Hilllingdon (yb) 8.2
Louis Philippe (rb) 8.7
Marchesa Boccella (lp) 9.0
Mons. Tillier (r) 8.6
Mozart (pb) 8.0
Mrs. B. R. Cant (mp) 8.9
Mutabilis (yb) 8.8
Old Blush (mp) 8.7
Paul Neyron (mp) 8.2
Pink Pet (mp) 8.6
Reve d’ Or (my) 9.2
Rose de Rescht (dp) 8.8
Souvenir de la Malmaison (lp) 8.7
Fragrant Roses
Abraham Darby (ab) 8.0
Angel Face (m) 7.7
Beverly (pb) 7.8
Carey Grant (ob) 7.5
Chrysler Imperial (dr) 7.8
Dolly Parton (or) 7.5
Double Delight (rb) 8.4
Elle (pb) 7.8
Firefighter (mr) 7.8
Fragrant Cloud (or) 8.1
Granada (rb) 7.9
Melodie Parfumee (m) 7.7
Memorial Day (mp) 7.7
Mister Lincoln (dr) 8.3
Olivia Rose Austin (mp) 8.5
Perfume Delight (mp) 7.6
Pope John Paul II (w) 7.5
Princess Charlene de Monaco (ab)+
Secret (pb) 7.9
Shelia’s Perfume (m) 8.2
Twlight Zone (m) 7.3
Climbers
America (op) 8.3
Blossomtime (mp) 7.4
Casino (ly) 8.0
Champneys’ Pink Cluster ** ( lp) 8.4
Cl Pinkie (mp) 8.2
Clair Matin (mp) 8.8
Don Juan (dr) 8.2
Dortmund (mr)** 9.1
Fourth of July (rb) 8.1
New Dawn ((lp)** 8.4
Pink Perpetue (mp) 8.1
Prosperity (w)** 8.5
Reve d’ Or (my)** 9.3
Seminole Wind (dp) 8.5
Sally Holmes (w)** 8.9
Sombreuil (w) 8.8
English Roses
Abraham Darby (op) 8.0
Ambridge Rose ( ab) 8.2
Belle Story (lp) 8.6
Carding Mill (ab) 7.8
Dannahue ((ab) +
Darcey Bussell (rb) 7.7
English Garden (ab) 8.0
Eustacia Vye (pb) 8.3
Heritage (lp) 8.4
Jude the Obscure (my) 8.0
L.D. Braithwaite (dr) 7.9
Molineaux (dy) 8.0
Munstead Wood (dr) 8.0
Olivia Rose Austin (mp) 8.5
Princess Alexandra of Kent (mp) 7.9
Scepter’d Isle (lp) 8.1
The Dark Lady (dr) 7.8
The Poet’s Wife (dy) 7.7
The Prince (dr) 7.7
The Squire (dr) 8.4
Vanessa Bell (dy) 8.2
Some Shrub rose recommendations would be: Belinda’s Dream (mp) 8.4, Prosperity (w) 8.6, Knockout (both red, yellow, white, pink) 8.3, Carefree Beauty (mp) 8.7, Lyda Rose (w) 9.0 and Home Run (mr) 8.2
** OGR or shrubs which are grown as climbers in the BSRS area.
Color Classifications
ARS Rating
w (white)
ly (light yellow)
my (medium yellow)
dy (deep yellow)
yb (yellow blend)
ab (apricot & apricot blend)
ob (orange & orange blend)
op (orange pink & o/p blend)
or ( orange red & o/r blend)
lp (light pink)
mp (medium pink )
dp (deep pink)
(lp) light pink
pb (pink blend)
mr (medium red)
dr (dark red)
rb (red blend)
m (mauve & mauve blend)
r (russet)
9.3-10.0 – Best ever rose
8.8-9.2 – Outstanding rose
8.3-8.7 – Excellent rose
7.8-8.2 – Very Good rose
7.3-7.7 – Good rose
6.8-7.2 – Average rose
6.1-6.7 – Below Avg rose
0.0-6.0 – Do not grow!
‘+not yet rated
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Last updated November 6, 2025