Pictures of Roses

In a changing world, the enticement of roses is always a constant. For centuries, this flower has inspired authors, artists, and romantics. Societies are devoted to roses, a famous parade features floats decorated with them, people are named after them, and roses are named for notable people.

According to the American Rose Society, there are many classes of roses. These include hybrid tea roses, shrubs, low-growing shrubs called polyantha, floribundas with clusters of blooms, huge bushes up to 10 feet tall called grandifloras, climbing roses, and miniature varieties. Enjoy browsing through this garden of stunning rose varieties, colors, characteristics, and symbolism.

Also known as 'Chewpeachdell', this cultivar produces repeated double peach-apricot blooms in mid-spring and is highly fragrant. In home gardens, this cultivar is striking planted in small groups of borders, cottage gardens, foundations, or as a hedge, according to the Missouri Botanical Garden.

Class: Miniature shrub
Hardiness: USDA zones 5 to 9
Shrub size: 5 to 8 feet tall by 3 to 4 feet wide
Color symbolism: Appreciation, closing a deal, sincerity, or gratitude

A Best Climber winner at the 2014 International Biltmore Rose Trials, 'Bajazzo' sports large semi-double blooms with salmon-pink on the top petals and a golden-yellow underneath. With canes that climb to 10 feet, 'Bajazzo' grows well near walls and pergolas, where it has support. Its vibrant flowers form clusters at the end of its long canes. Leaves are a medium green with touches of bronze.

Class: Climber
USDA zones: 5
Shrub size: 8 feet tall by 3 to 4 feet wide
Color symbolism: Dark pink - appreciation

'Iceberg' is one of the most popular and top-selling rose shrubs for home gardens. Its clusters of white, flowers bloom throughout its growing season, which is spring through fall in warmer climates. This cultivar's leaves are tough, which makes it resistant to many pests and diseases. Icebergs are often planted in groups or rows for visual impact and require water only once a week, after they are established. They are great as landscape shrubs, which means you'll see them in both commercial and residential designs because they are attractive, dependable, and look good with other plants like shrubs and ornamental grasses.

Class: Floribunda
USDA zones: 4 and warmer
Shrub size: 3 feet tall by 4 feet wide
Color symbolism: Purity, innocence, or secrecy

Named for the 1924 George Gershwin song, this David Austin beauty starts out purple-mauve and actually matures and fades to blue, making it probably the closest of all cultivars to an actual blue rose. Fragrant and exotic, 'Rhapsody' is perfect for containers on a patio or as small shrubs in a garden bed.

Class: Floribunda; shrub
USDA Zones:
Shrub size: 6 to 7 feet tall by 3 to 4 feet wide
Color symbolism: Purple - enchantment; blue - unattainable; impossible

This cultivar grows in clusters that are a bright pinkish coral-orange. Showy and sweetly scented, they make an excellent cut flower. Blooming spring through fall, 'Lasting Peace' prefers to grow in full sun and moderately to slightly acidic soil.

Class: Grandiflora
USDA Zones: 7 and warmer
Shrub size: 4 to 5 feet high by 2 to 3 feet wide
Color symbolism: Orange - desire or enthusiasm; dark pink - gratitude

An excellent cut flower, 'Fire and Ice' was introduced in 1987 and is a favorite of florists for its light fragrance and eye-catching blend of vanilla white with red tips. This bi-color beauty likes moist roots and at least seven hours of sunlight.

Class: Floribunda
USDA zones: 5-7
Shrub size: 5 to 6 feet high by 3 to 4 feet wide
Color symbolism: Unity

This enticingly named cultivar boasts ruffled petals that are described as russet or orange-rose with touches of brownish-gold and even a hint of purple. Its fragrance is light and slightly fruity - sorry, no scent of chocolate.

Cultivar: 'Hot Cocoa'
Class: Floribunda
USDA zones: 6
Shrub size: 3 to 5 feet tall by 3 to 5 feet wide
Color symbolism: Desire, enthusiasm, and fascination

A hybrid named in honor of the late Princess Diana, this upright growing shrub was introduced in 1998. Showy and mildly fragrant, it produces four- to five-inch blooms during spring through fall.

Class: Hybrid tea
USDA zones: 7 and warmer
Shrub size: 5 to 6 feet tall
Color symbolism: White - reverence and purity; pink - grace and gentleness

Arriving on the scene in 2008, this whimsical-sounding cultivar produces showy and fragrant blooms and loves full sun. In 2012, 'Monkey Business' was voted Portland's Best Rose in the annual festival and contest of the Portland Rose Society.

Class: Floribunda
USDA zones: 6 and warmer
Shrub size: 3 to 4 feet tall by 2 to 3 feet wide
Color symbolism: Joy, friendship, new beginnings

Introduced in 2000, this lovely bi-color flower produces 35-40 petals that form cup-shaped blooms. It produces up to five flowers per stem. As it ages, the roses become mostly dark pink. 'Cherry Parfait' is the 2003 Grandiflora recipient of the All-American Rose Selections (AARS) award (now American Garden Rose Selections).

Class: Grandiflora
USDA zones: 5-11
Shrub size: 3 to 4 feet tall by 2 to 3 feet wide
Color symbolism: Dark pink - gratitude

Named for an English baroness and author of romantic novels, this David Austin hybrid is a stunning deep pink/ fuschia color. The number of petals of each six-inch rose ranges from 40 up to 130, making it a gorgeous cut flower. This fragrant rose blooms from spring to fall.

Class: David Austin shrub
USDA zones:
Shrub size: 3 to 4 feet tall by 2 to 3 feet wide
Color symbolism: Gratitude

Introduced in 1977, this hybrid tea rose produces creamy white petals tipped with pinkish red and has a wonderful fragrance. The amount of red blush on its edges differs according to the climate in which you live. This beauty also has the distinction of being in the World Federation of Rose Societies' Rose Hall of Fame.

Class: Hybrid tea
USDA zones: 7 and warmer
Shrub size: 4 to 5 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide
Color symbolism: Unity

Ruffled petals in dense clusters make this light purple cultivar a show stopper. In warmer climates, 'Melody Parfumee' produces flowers from later winter to early winter, which basically means all year. It is very fragrant (hence the name), with a slight hint of citrus.

Class: Grandiflora
USDA zones: 5 and warmer
Shrub size: 4 to 5 feet tall by 2 to 3 feet wide
Color symbolism: Love at first sight

A light purple or mauve rose that is noted for its large, six-inch blooms and strong, lovely scent. It flowers during the spring through early winter and is resistant to black spot and mildew.

Class: Hybrid tea
USDA zones: 7 and warmer
Shrub size: 3 to 5 feet tall by 2 to 3 feet wide
Color symbolism: Enchantment

A David Austin hybrid, this small soft pink beauty is a winner of the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Award of Merit. Also known as 'Ausoran', this English cultivar's scent is described as "musky old rose".

Class: English shrub rose
USDA zones: 5 and warmer
Shrub size: 3 feet tall by 2 feet wide
Color symbolism: Grace or sweetness

Named for the Romanian princess, each of these David Austin hybrids has the potential of producing up to 100 petals. These showy apricot-orange roses have a strong fragrance and make beautiful cut flowers.

Class: David Austin shrub
USDA zones: 4 and warmer
Shrub size: 5 to 6 feet tall by 4 to 5 feet wide
Color symbolism: Modesty

Introduced in 1994, this delicate pink cultivar is named for the famous fashion designer. Fragrant and showy, it loves lots of sun and makes excellent cut flowers that can last up to one week. Its light pink blooms contrast with dark green, leathery leaves.

Class: Hybrid tea
USDA zones: 7 and warmer
Shrub size: 3 to 4 feet tall by 2 to 3 feet wide
Color symbolism: Happiness or admiration

Named for the famous German 18th-century literary figure, 'Johann Wolfgang von Goethe ' was introduced in 2004. This cultivar is admired for its strong, honey/anise scent and large, full blooms.

Class: Hybrid tea
USDA zones: 6 and warmer
Shrub size: 3 to 4 feet tall by 2 to 3 feet wide
Color symbolism: Gratitude

Introduced in 1984, this award-winning floribunda produces blooms on single stems and clusters. A large, full apricot-yellow flower, 'Amber Queen' has a mild fragrance, is a repeat bloomer, and performs well in pots.

Class: Floribunda
USDA zones: 6 and warmer
Shrub size: 2 feet tall by 2 feet wide
Color symbolism: New beginnings; falling in love

A light yellow, quick-climbing rose that blooms prolifically but for a short time, usually mid-spring through late summer, this old-fashioned cottage garden variety was introduced by the Royal Horticultural Society in 1824.

Class: Climber
USDA zones: 6 and warmer
Shrub size: 20 to 30 feet tall by 6 to 10 feet wide
Color symbolism: Welcome, remembrance, or friendship

If you love one of these gorgeous roses, contact local nurseries and botanical gardens to find out which varieties grow well in your region and check the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) zones map.