10 popular red roses to grow (best varieties)

Red roses are the classic symbol of love, beauty, passion, desire, congratulations, and admiration. There are hundreds of different varieties of red roses, but some are certainly better than others. Here are 10 of the most popular red roses to grow in your garden.

1. Don Juan rose

The Don Juan rose is a popular climbing rose with velvety red flowers. This cultivar is classified by the American Rose Society (ARS) as a large-flowered climber (LCl).

Introduced by J&P in the 1950s, ‘Don Juan’ has an unmistakable dark red hue, with up to 40 petals per flower and an intense rose fragrance. This beautiful variety of climbing roses makes a great addition to any garden or outdoor space, providing color and charm all season long.

Don Juan is also known for being relatively easy to care for – requiring minimal pruning and deadheading throughout the year – making it ideal for beginner gardeners who want to add a touch of elegance without requiring too much maintenance work. Plus, this hardy variety can withstand most climates with ease.

2. Mister Lincoln rose

The Mister Lincoln rose is a classic dark red Hybrid Tea (HT) variety introduced by C-P in the 1960s. It has dark red petals and full blooms of 26 to 40 petals per flower. Its strong rose fragrance makes it a favorite among gardeners who appreciate its beauty and scent.

This variety is easy to care for and requires minimal maintenance. It grows best in well-drained soil with plenty of sunlight or partial shade but can tolerate some drought conditions as long as there’s enough water available during hot spells. Pruning should be done regularly to keep the plant healthy and encourage new growth throughout the season; deadheading also helps prevent disease and encourages more flowers to bloom.

The Mister Lincoln rose does not require much fertilizer, but if you want your plants to thrive, you may want to add some compost or slow-release fertilizer each spring for optimal health and performance. This variety is resistant to many common pests, such as aphids, so regular monitoring will help keep them away from your roses.

3. Red Drift rose

The Red Drift rose is a vibrant and eye-catching variety of shrub rose bred by Alain A. Meilland of Meilland Star. It was introduced in 2006, and its medium red, semi-double flowers measure 4 cm (1.57in) across, making it a great choice for those who want to make an impression with their garden without having to be an expert gardener.

Red roses have long been associated with passionate love and intense emotion – no wonder they are often given as gifts on Valentine’s Day. The bright color of the Red Drift rose makes it perfect for expressing your deepest feelings to someone special, whether you’re celebrating a romantic relationship or honoring family members.

4.  Chrysler Imperial rose

The Chrysler Imperial rose is a Hybrid Tea (HT) that was introduced by Germain’s in the 1950s. Its dark red color and very full appearance make it an eye-catching flower, with 41 or more petals per bloom.

The strong rose fragrance of this variety will fill any garden with its delightful scent. It has a mostly solitary bloom habit, meaning you won’t see clusters of flowers on one stem as you would with other varieties of roses.

Pruning should be done in early spring before new growth begins, and deadheading can help keep the plant looking tidy throughout the season – just snip off spent blooms at their base when they start to look wilted or faded. To ensure your Chrysler Imperial roses stay healthy, fertilize them every two weeks during active growing periods using a balanced fertilizer, and water deeply once a week if there isn’t enough rainfall in your area.

5. Munstead Wood rose

The Munstead Wood rose is a classic English shrub rose bred by David C. H. Austin of David Austin Roses, Ltd., and introduced in 2008. It produces dark red (dr) flowers with an incredibly full appearance and strong rose fragrance that bloom in small clusters.

The red-burgundy blooms are quite large, measuring up to 4 inches across when fully open, and they last for several weeks each year from late spring through early summer before fading away until the next season arrives. Munstead Wood roses can reach heights of up to 5 feet tall with an equal spread if left unpruned, but pruning them back annually will keep their size more manageable for smaller gardens or yards.

6. Ingrid Bergman rose

The Ingrid Bergman rose is a Hybrid Tea (HT) cultivar with full dark red flowers and a slight fragrance. It was introduced in 1983 by John Mattock, Ltd. The bloom size can reach up to 4 inches across, making it an ideal choice for cutting and displaying indoors or outdoors.

Every two weeks during their active growing season, fertilize the Ingrid Bergman rose with a balanced fertilizer specifically designed for roses, such as Dr. Earth Rose & Flower Fertilizer which contains beneficial microbes to promote healthy root growth and nutrient uptake. This will maximize flower production while avoiding overfertilization which could lead to leaf burn or other damage due to excessive salts accumulating in the soil over time.

7. Double Knock Out rose

The Double Knock Out rose is a well-known red-pink hybrid variety bred by William Radler and introduced in 2004. It has been a hit with North American gardeners due to its reliable bloom cycle and disease resistance as well as the ease of upkeep it requires.

The blooms are medium red with no fragrance, but they come in small clusters that make them ideal for borders or as accent plants. This variety can handle both heat and cold temperatures well; it’s hardy down to USDA zone 5, so it will survive even harsh winters without protection. Its size makes it suitable for smaller gardens or yards, growing up to 3-4 feet tall and 2-3 feet wide when mature.

Because of their low maintenance requirements, these roses are perfect for busy homeowners who want a beautiful garden without having to spend hours tending to it every week. Even novice gardeners can enjoy success with this variety since all you need is some basic knowledge about how much sun each plant needs and when/how often you should water your plants (hint: more often than you think).

8. Petite Knock Out rose

The Petite Knock Out rose is a miniature red shrub rose bred by Alain Meilland of Star Roses in 2013. It is perhaps the most popular miniature red rose variety available and is often grown in containers either indoors or on the patio.

Its flowers are classified as medium red (Mr) and small, measuring just 3 cm (1.18in). These semi-double flowers have 9 to 16 petals and no fragrance. The blooms come in small clusters, making for an eye-catching display in any garden or flower bed.

For those looking for color throughout the year, this variety offers attractive foliage even when not in bloom; its glossy green leaves turn deep purple during colder months giving your landscape some added interest during wintertime too. Plus, unlike many other roses which require special fertilizers or treatments, this one does well without any extra fussing over from you – enjoy its beauty without needing any complicated upkeep routine.

9. Firefighter rose

The Firefighter rose is a Hybrid Tea (HT) bred by Joseph Orand for Weeks Roses and introduced in 2004. It has a dark red hue and an impressive fullness of petals, creating an eye-catching display in any garden.

Its potent aroma only serves to enhance its aesthetic, making it a great choice for those seeking an eye-catching addition to their garden without the hassle of difficult upkeep. This rose is also quite resilient and easy to care for, so even novice gardeners can enjoy its beauty without too much fuss or worry.

To keep these plants healthy throughout the growing season, water deeply twice a week and fertilize with a balanced fertilizer every four weeks during the spring and summer months. Inspect your roses frequently for evidence of ailments such as powdery mildew or black spot; if these illnesses appear, address them immediately with a suitable fungicide per the directions on the container.

10. Dublin Bay rose

The Dublin Bay rose is a Large-Flowered Climber (LCl) variety that was introduced by McGredy Roses Internat’l in the 1970s. This particular rose has double petals, and its color is MR (Medium Red). It also has a moderate fragrance to it.

With its deep red hue and full blooms, this beautiful flower will add an elegant touch to any garden or outdoor space. The Dublin Bay rose can reach heights of up to 10 feet when fully grown, so make sure you have plenty of room for it. The Dublin Bay rose is a great choice for an attractive addition to your garden.

In terms of care, these roses are fairly easy to maintain as long as they get enough sunlight and water each day. Pruning should be done in late winter or early spring before new growth begins; deadheading can help keep them looking their best all season long. Additionally, fertilizing every few weeks will help ensure your roses stay healthy and strong throughout the year.

FAQs about red roses to grow and enjoy

Before you go…

In the end, red roses are a delightful enhancement to any garden. Each variety has something special to offer in terms of color and size, making them an excellent choice for adding visual interest and charm. With so many options available, it can be hard to decide which is best for you; however, with careful consideration, each gardener should find their perfect match among this collection of stunning red roses.

Resources

• When to plant roses
• Planting bare root roses successfully
• When to prune roses
• Rose fertilizer basics, tips, & options
• How to care for roses

References

• Kukielski, P. E. (2015). Roses Without Chemicals. Timber Press.
• Rountree, N. J. (2017). Growing Roses in the Pacific Northwest. Sasquatch Books.