15 Different Rose Bush Types You Should Know About

"That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." William Shakespeare knew the appeal of roses when he wrote "Romeo and Juliet," and it's an appeal that still holds today. There are so many types of roses available, and that number only seems to be growing as hybridization becomes increasingly popular.

Generally speaking, roses can be split into three primary categories: Old Garden Roses, Wild Roses, and Modern Garden Roses. Old Garden Roses refer to ancestral varieties that have been around since at least 1867, according to Jackson & Perkins. Wild Roses are varieties that have never been cross-bred. They typically have five petals and are most often pink. Modern Garden Roses have been bred or created as hybrids since 1867. They bloom for longer periods of time and tend to have larger flowers.

In this article, we'll tell you about 15 of the most popular types of rose bushes and break down the pros and cons of each one.

Damask roses (Rosa damascena) are an Old Garden variety, and in fact, it is believed that they have been around since the time of Ancient Rome. As ancestral varieties, they typically only bloom once per season, though some varieties do exist that bloom in autumn as well. Home Guides says that while they don't necessarily have a remarkable fragrance, they are popular for rose oil production. They're cold-resistant, making them an excellent choice for gardeners living in cooler climates.

Bloom Season: Spring and autumn

USDA Growing Zone: 4b to 9b

Growing Conditions: Full sun

Soil Type: Fertile, well-drained

Size: Up to 7 feet tall and wide

Floribunda roses (Rose floribunda) were created as a hybrid between the popular polyantha roses and hybrid tea roses and were bred to be disease-resistant, hardy, and to produce showy blooms, according to Better Homes and Gardens. Their flowers may be small, but each branch features a cluster of them rather than a single bloom. One of the major benefits of this type of rose is that they require very little in the way of pruning, making them a low-maintenance pick.

Bloom Season: Spring to autumn

USDA Growing Zone: 4 to 9

Growing Conditions: Full sun

Soil Type: Well-drained, fertile

Size: Up to 8 feet high and 6 feet wide

The first Polyantha rose was introduced by Jean-Baptiste Guillot in 1875. He created it by crossing R. multiflora and R. chinensis, according to The San Diego Union-Tribune. The resulting variety was able to bloom multiple times per year and was thus given the name "polyanthas," which means "many flowers" in Greek. According to Dave's Garden, this variety can thrive in zones 4a to 9b and is one of the smaller types of roses, growing to just 4 feet in height.

Bloom Season: Mid-spring

USDA Growing Zone: 4a to 9b

Growing Conditions: Light shade to full sun

Soil Type: Fertile, rich in humus

Size: 2 to 4 feet high and 2 to 4 feet wide

Rosa spp., more commonly known as the miniature rose, has been bred to produce small blooms. While they're now created intentionally, they originated as mutations of regular rose varieties. They tend to be quite hardy, and many varieties bloom several times throughout the year, according to The Spruce. Because of their small flowers, they're a great choice for container gardening, where they can be seen more easily at eye level.

Bloom Season: Late spring to summer

USDA Growing Zone: 5 to 9

Growing Conditions: Full sun

Soil Type: Moist, well-drained

Size: 1 to 2 feet tall and 1 to 2 feet wide

English roses (Rosa) were created by David Austin in the 1960s, according to Home Guides. Over the years, he has bred several varieties by crossing Hybrid tea roses with Damask roses, Alba roses, and Gallica roses. They bloom in nearly every color, with plenty of varieties for gardeners to choose from. They are, however, somewhat high maintenance, requiring regular pruning (via Better Homes & Gardens).

Bloom Season: Spring to fall

USDA Growing Zone: 4 to 10

Growing Conditions: Full to partial sun

Soil Type: Nutrient-rich

Size: Up to 20 feet tall and 5 feet wide

The Bourbon rose (Zephirine Drouhin) is both popular and widely available, according to Dave's Garden. It has all of the attributes that rose gardeners tend to seek out: It's fragrant, it can bloom multiple times per year, and it's relatively easy to care for. Some varieties are even thornless, making them easier for gardeners to work with. While Bourbon roses can tolerate some shade, they are most disease-resistant when grown in full sun (via Gardenia).

Bloom Season: Spring to summer

USDA Growing Zone: 5 to 9

Growing Conditions: Full sun to partial sun

Soil Type: Moist but well-drained

Size: Up to 10 feet tall and 6 feet wide

The Noisette rose (Rosa noisettiana) gets its name from the man who hybridized it: Philippe Noisette (via Dave's Garden). This variety is known for its extremely fragrant blooms, making it a great choice for gardeners who like to stop and smell the roses. They tend to be tall plants with clusters of relatively small flowers that have a natural, informal look, according to Heirloom Roses.

Bloom Season: Late spring to early summer

USDA Growing Zone: 6a to 10b

Growing Conditions: Full sun

Soil Type: Mildly acidic

Size: Up to 10 feet tall and 6 feet wide