6 Wonderfully Easy Roses for Any Gardener

Calling roses “simple” may seem like an oxymoron, but there are several varieties which are low maintenance. Many roses are susceptible to black spot, aphids and fungal infections and require a decent amount of spraying and fussing to keep them healthy, but these roses scoff at all that nonsense. Take a look at those easy-care beauties and take the leap.

Proven Winners

1. ‘Oso Easy’. This is actually a group of roses, and all live up to their title. They need no spraying or deadheading, remain compact (1 to 3 feet tall) in tiny gardens and thrive in USDA climate zones 3 to 9 (find your zone). Their small size and low maintenance make them perfect for container plantings and for beginning anglers.

And you have to love plants which have yummy food titles such as ‘Cherry Pie’, ‘Honey Bun’, ‘ ‘Paprika’ and ‘Strawberry Crush’.

Revealed: ‘Oso Easy Peachy Cream’

The New York Botanical Garden

2. ‘Carefree’ roses. Another easy-care pair of roses is the aptly named ‘Carefree’ series. These roses have admirable heat resistance, are insect and disease resistant, and grow as much as 6 feet tall depending on the variety. These repeat bloomers will thrive in zones 5 to 9.

Varieties to Search for include ‘Carefree Delight’, ‘Carefree Sunshine’, ‘Carefree Beauty’, ‘Carefree Celebration’ and ‘Carefree Spirit’.

Revealed: ‘Carefree Sunshine’

The New York Botanical Garden

3. ‘Knock Out’ roses. This family of roses is the most disease resistant on the market, requires no deadheading to have almost constant blooming from spring to fall, is heat tolerant and is hardy to zone 5. They grow in a clean shrub form, up to 4 feet tall, and so are drought tolerant once established.

Look for ‘Double Knock Out’, ‘Sunny Knock Out’, ‘ ‘Rainbow Knock Out’ and ‘Double Pink Knock Out’, ‘ with colours Which Range from pink to crimson and yellow.

Revealed: ‘Knock Out’

The New York Botanical Garden

4. ‘Graham Thomas’. This stunning deep yellow English shrub rose is resistant to black spot, rust and mildew, and blossoms repeatedly from early summer on. It is a vigorous grower (around 7 feet tall) and has a sweet honey fragrance. Additionally, it boasts exceptional heat tolerance and is perfect for zones 4 to 9.

The New York Botanical Garden

5. ‘Marmalade Skies’. This lovely pink to tropical-red bloomer is a floribunda rose with flowers which develop in clusters at the ends of their stems, making them ideal for displaying and cutting. It is a constant bloomer with a sweet, fruity fragrance, and it remains slim and compact, growing to 3 feet tall. Throw the sprays out following planting ‘Marmalade Skies’ — you won’t need them. Grow it in zones 5 to 9.

The New York Botanical Garden

6. ‘Peace’ was known as the most well-known rose of the 20th century discovered in 1935, it had been named after the end of World War II. It’s odd pink-tinged yellow petals and a sweet fragrance, and develops from 4 to 6 feet wide in zones 4 to 9. Aside from being a low-maintenance improved, it’s noteworthy for its extra-large, showy blossoms that span 5 to 6 inches round.

Grow roses? Please show us your backyard!

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