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Shrub Roses: Carefree Hardy Flower Machines

Due to their ease of maintenance, this group of roses is becoming increasingly popular.  Shrub roses were bred by crossing the very hardy old garden roses (roses developed before 1900) with hybrid teas.  The old garden roses, developed in Greece, Rome, and Europe, came from plants in colder climates.  These plants release water from their cells in winter and send it down to the roots.  They experience very little dieback, and do not need pruning except for older canes that die out in the winter.   If in Spring the cane is green all the way to the tip, it doesn't have to be pruned.  They do not need fertilizing more than once or twice a summer, unlike hybrid teas that are such heavy feeders.  

Although we cannot grow ALL shrub roses in Colorado Springs, there are hardy varieties in almost every color except blue that do very well here.   See our shrub rose information and care sheet for more details about this group of roses.

 

 


Abraham Darby

rosaabrahamdarbyda_pcowillowaynurseries

Photo Courtesy Willoway Nurseries

Color of Bloom: Shades of pink, apricot and yellows.
Long bloom time.

Height: 4'-5'

Spread: 4'-5'

Fragrance: Rich & fruity

David Austin English Rose


Adelaide Hoodless

Rosa_Adelaide_Hoodless_Photo_Courtesy_of_High_Country_Roses

Photo Courtesy High Country Roses

Color of Bloom: Medium red, semi-double blooms in clusters 

Height:  4'-5'

Spread: 4'-5'

Fragrance:  Lightly fragrant

Canadian shrub rose.  Blooms from June until frost, followed by
rose hips in the Fall.

 

 

 


All the Rage

rosaalltheragelr_pcojen

 

 

  

Color of Bloom: Coral buds open to salmon-pink
flowers with yellow centers. Everblooming.

Height: 3'-4'

Spread: 2'-3'

Fragrance: Slight

Mounding, round habit. 

Easy Elegance Rose

 


Austrian Copper

rosaaustriancopper_pcohighcountryroses

Photo Courtesy High Country Roses

Color of Bloom: Brilliant single orange blooms cover this rose.
Sometimes produces all yellow flowers.

Height:  4'-7'

Spread: 6'-8'  (will sucker if allowed)

Fragrance:  Musky

Tough old Species rose.

 


 

Banshee

Rosa_Banshee_Photo_Courtesy_of_High_Country_Roses

Photo Courtesy High Country Roses

Color of Bloom: Clear pink, very double blooms in early summer

Height:  6'-10'

Spread: 6'-10'

Fragrance:  Exceptionally fragrant

Small dark red hips, and purple foliage in Fall.

 


Benjamin Britten

rosabenjaminbritten_pcowillowaynurseries

Photo Courtesy Willoway Nurseries

Color of Bloom:  Bright orange red with yellow shades
on the inner petals.  Fades to reddish-pink with age. 
Repeat bloomer.

Height: 3'-4'

Spread: 2'-3'

Fragrance: Intensely fruity

David Austin English Rose


Carefree Sunshine

rosacarefreesunshine2_pcojen rosacarefreesunshinewide_pcojen

Color of bloom:  Golden yellow buds are formed in clusters of 3-5 and open to a lighter yellow. Long bloom time.

Height: 3'- 4'

Spread:  3'

Fragrance: No

Rounded habit. Disease resistant. 

 



Cuthbert Grant

rosacuthbertgrant_pcohighcountryroses

Photo Courtesy High Country Roses

Color of Bloom: Large, velvety dark red in clusters.

Height:  3'

Spread:  3'

Fragrance:  Yes

Canadian Shrub rose.


Dark Lady

Color of Bloom:  A dark crimson rose with tree peony-like flowers

Height: 3'-4'

Spread:  4'-6'

Fragrance:  Very fragrant with an old rose scent

A David Austin English Rose.  Repeat bloomer.

 

 


Drift Roses

Compact groundcover type roses that bloom in clusters to create 'drifts' of blooms.
These are a cross between full-sized groundcover roses and miniature roses.
All offer repeat bloom, disease resistance, and winter hardiness to Zone 4. 

Photos Courtesy Willoway Nurseries

rosapeachdrift_pcowillowaynurseriesinc

Peach Drift



Color of Bloom:  Soft peach

Height:  1'-2'

Spread:  2'

Fragrance: no

 rosapeachdrift_pcojen

rosapinkdriftwall_pcojen

Pink Drift



Color of Bloom:  Medium pink single flowers in clusters

Height:  1'-2'

Spread:  3'

Fragrance: no

 

rosareddrift_pcowillowaynurseries

Red Drift



Color of Bloom:  Petite hot pink flowers in clusters

Height:  1'-2'

Spread:  2'-3'

Fragrance: no

rosasweetdrift_pcowillowaynurseriesinc

Sweet Drift



Color of Bloom:  Clear light pink double flowers bloom in clusters.

Height:  1'-2'

Spread:  2'-3'

Fragrance:  no

rosacoraldrift_pcowillowaynurseriesinc

Coral Drift

 

Color of Bloom: Deep coral-orange

Height: 1'-2'

Spread: 3'

Fragrance: No


 

Emily Carr

rosaemilycarr_pcohighcountryroses

Photo Courtesy High Country Roses

Color of Bloom:  3", semi-double deep red blooms

Height:  4'-5'

Spread:  3'-4'

Fragrance:  Slight

Canadian Shrub rose.  Great disease resistance.

 

 


Gertrude Jekyll

rosagertrudejekyll_pcowillowaynurseries

Photo Courtesy Willoway Nurseries

Color of Bloom:  Double, rosette-shaped flowers
are a glowing pink.  Repeat bloomer.

Height: 4'-5'

Spread: 3'-4'

Fragrance: Strong Old Rose scent

David Austin English Rose


Goldbusch

 rosagoldbusch_pcohighcountryroses

Photo Courtesy High Country Roses

Color of Bloom:  Coral color buds open to peach-yellow blossoms

Height: 5'

Spread: 5'

Fragrance:  Yes

Repeat blooms and large hips.

 

 


Graham Thomas

rosagrahamthomaslr_pcojen

Color of Bloom: Rich, golden yellow blooms

Height: 4'-5'

Spread: 3'-4'

Fragrance: Fresh Tea Rose fragrance 

Pruned after the first bloom, this rose has always
produced a repeat bloom for us.  Upright habit. 
Blends with any color you put with it.  We've got one planted
by the pergola near our front entrance.

David Austin English Rose

 


Grandma's Blessing

rosagrandmasblessing_pcojen 

Color of Bloom: Large Dusty Pink
(flowers resemble a hybrid tea in form)
Repeat bloomer.

Height: 2-3'

Spread: 3'-4'

Fragrance: Slight 

Vase shaped habit 

Easy Elegance Rose


 

Heritage

rosaheritage_pcohighcountryroses

Photo Courtesy High Country Roses

Color of Bloom:  Soft double pink blooms

Height:  5'

Spread:  5'

Fragrance:  Very fragrant with a hint of lemon

A David Austin English Rose.   Repeat bloomer.

 


 

Iceberg

rosaicebergcluster_pcojen

rosaicebergwide_pcojen 

Color of Bloom:  Crisp clear white. Buds are
long and pointed.  Blooms in clusters.
Everblooming.

Height: 3'-4'

Spread:  3'-4'

Fragrance: Honey sweet scent

A floribunda type (lots of flowers!) that acts like
a shrub rose.  Mounding habit.  


Jubilee Celebration

rosajubileecelebration_pcowillowaynurseries

Photo Courtesy Willoway Nurseries

Color of Bloom:  Large flowers are salmon-pink with hints of
gold under the petals. Repeat bloomer.

Height: 3'-4'

Spread: 3'-4'

Fragrance: Fruity rose scent

David Austin English Rose

Knock Out Pink

 


rosaknockoutpinkclose_pcojen

rosaknockoutpinkwide_pcojen 

Color of Bloom: Medium Pink, Everblooming.

Height: 3'-4'

Spread: 4'

Fragrance: Slight

GREAT garden performance.


 

Knock Out -- The Original 

rosaknockoutlineup_pcojen

Color of Bloom: Hot Pink. Everblooming. 

Height: 3'-4'

Spread: 3'

Fragrance: Slight

GREAT garden performance.  Self-cleaning, disease resistant, EASY CARE shrub rose.

 

Knock Out Sunny

rosaknockoutsunny_pcojen

Color of Bloom: Bright yellow flowers that fade to a creamy color.  When
in full bloom it appears to have three different colors.

Height:  3'-5'

Spread:   3'-4'

Fragrance: Yes, this Knock Out is fragrant 

Easy care, very long bloom time.

 


Lilian Austin

rosalilianaustin_photocourtesyhighcountryroses

Photo Courtesy High Country Roses

Color of Bloom: Salmon-pink with yellow centers

Height: 4'

Spread:  4'-5'

Fragrance:  Strong

A David Austin English Rose.  Spreading bushy habit.  Repeat bloomer.

 

 


Macy's Pride 

rosamacyspride2_pcojen

Color of Bloom: Lemon yellow buds open to a
lovely creamy white with a hint of pink as they age.
Repeat bloomer.

Height: 3'-5'

Spread: 2'-3'

Fragrance: Slight

 

Easy Elegance Rose


 


Morden Blush

rosamordenblush_photocourtesybaileynurseriesinc

Photo Courtesy Bailey Nurseries Inc

Color of Bloom:  Outer edges are ivory, to light pink,
with deeper pink centers.

Height:  3'-4'

Spread:  4'

Fragrance:  Strong rose scent

Tough, disease resistant rose.  Continuous bloomer with large hips in Fall.

 


Morden Sunrise 

rosamordensunriseclose_pcojen

Color of Bloom: Coral in bud, that softens to apricot with age. Yellow center. 

Height: 2'-3'

Spread: 2'-4'

Fragrance: Excellent Tea Rose scent

Large rose hips in Fall

 rosamordensunrise_pcojen

 


 

Munstead Wood

rosamunsteadwood_pcowillowaynurseriesinc

Photo Courtesy Willoway Nurseries Inc

Color of Bloom:  Light crimson buds open to a deeper crimson color

Height: 3'

Spread:  3'

Fragrance:  Strong Old Rose with a fruity scent

A David Austin English Rose


Music Box

rosamusicbox_pcobaileynurseriesinc

Photo Courtesy Bailey Nurseries Inc

Color of Bloom:  Double blooms of creamy
yellow centers edged in pink tones.
Everblooming.

Height:  3'

Spread: 3'

Fragrance: Moderately Sweet

 

Easy Elegance Rose


 

Nootka

rosanootka_pcohighcountryroses
Photo Courtesy High Country Roses

Color of Bloom:  Small, single pink in early summer

Height:  6'-8'

Spread:  6'

Fragrance:  Strong

Native to Western North America.   Rose hips in Fall. 


Pat Austin

Color of Bloom:  Vibrant copper colored blooms

Height:  5'

Spread:  4'

Fragrance:  Strong Tea rose scent

A David Austin English Rose

 
 


Port Sunlight

rosaportsunlight_pcowillowaynurseries

Photo Courtesy Willoway Nurseries Inc

Color of Bloom: Medium-sized rich apricot flowers
form a flat rosette. Repeat bloomer.

Height: 4'-5'

Spread: 2'-3'

Fragrance:  Rich Tea scent

Upright growth habit. 

David Austin English Rose


Princess Alexandra of Kent

 

rosaprincessalexandraofkent_pcojen

Color of Bloom: Very large flowers are pink.  Repeat bloomer.

Height: 3'-4'

Spread: 2'-3'

Fragrance: Fresh Tea Rose fragrance changing
to lemon as the flower ages

David Austin English Roses

 

 



Rosa Mundi

rosamundi_pcohighcountrygardens

Photo Courtesy High Country Roses

Color of Bloom:   Sprays of ivory striped with shades of pink

Height:  4'

Spread:  4'

Fragrance:  Very...makes wonderful potpourri

A David Austin English Rose

 


Rugelda

Rosa_Rugelda_Photo_Courtesy_High_Country_Roses

Photo Courtesy High Country Roses

Color of Bloom: Semi-double yellow blooms with a hint of red

Height:  5'-6'

Spread:  5'-6'

Fragrance:  Strong

 

Foliage is a beautiful bronze green.  Repeat blooming.

 


Rugosa Red Leaf Rose

rosaredleafrose_pcohighcountrygardens

Photo Courtesy High Country Roses

Color of Bloom:  Single pink flowers

Height:  7'-9'

Spread:  4'-5'

Fragrance:  No

A Species rose with plum colored foliage.  Large orange hips in Fall.
Very hardy and drought resistant.

rosaredleafhips_pcojen
Hips in Fall

 


Snowdrift

rosasnowdrift_pcojen

Color of Bloom: Clustered, creamy white blossoms
cover large portion of stem creating a 'snowdrift' effect. 
Retains color before dropping. Repeat bloomer.

Height: 3'-4'

Spread: 3'-4'

Fragrance: Slight

Upright and uniform habit. 


Easy Elegance Rose

 rosasnowdrift_pcobaileynurseriesinc

Photo Courtesy Bailey Nurseries Inc

The Imposter

Color of Bloom:  A speckled pink blend with clematis-like blossoms
that cover the plant. 

Height:  2'-3'

Spread:  2'-3'

Fragrance:  No

Seems to like the heat and offers repeat blooming.

 

 

 


 

Wedgewood

rosawedgewood_pcojen

Color of Bloom:  Soft silvery pink.  Large full blooms.  Repeat flowering.

Height: 5' when grown as a shrub rose.   (Can also be grown as a climber up to 10')

Spread:  5'

Fragrance:  Fruity with a hint of clove.

A David Austin Rose

 


Winchester Cathedral

 rosawinchestercathedralda_pcowillowaynurseries

Photo Courtesy Willoway Nurseries

Color of Bloom: White with scant touches
of buff-pink at the center. Repeat bloomer.

Height: 3'-4'

Spread: 3'-4'

Fragrance: Strong Old Rose scent with
honey and almond

David Austin English Rose

 

Wisley 2008

 

rosawisley2008_pcojen

Color of Bloom: Soft pink with
paler outer edges. Repeat blooming.

Height: 3'-4'

Spread: 2'-3'

Fragrance: Medium, Fresh, fruity

Arching habit.

David Austin English Rose


Yellow Submarine 

rosayellowsubmarine2_pcojen

 

Color of Bloom: Lemon yellow when new, ages
to soft yellow and then to a creamy white. 
Repeat bloomer.  Three-toned effect on the same
plant.

Height: 2'-3'

Spread: 2'-3'

Fragrance: Slight

Upright habit 

Easy Elegance Rose

 


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