Roses are completely delightful—they fill the garden with intoxicating fragrance, bloom in virtually every color imaginable, and provide a stunning display for many months of the year. They are embedded deep within the memories of every gardener, and growing a rose of your own is a living commitment to joy.
At the end of each year, our buyers take great care to select roses to offer our customers next season. We pay close attention to new trends, existing popularity, and seek to find the perfect balance between tried-and-true favorites and more obscure, unusual varieties.
Our 2025 rose offering features roses that fall into one of three major categories: EXTREMELY fragrant (10 out of 10!), variegated or unusual coloration, and repeat blooming. Our very favorite selections are below, but there are so many fantastic options beyond this list, and we can’t wait to share these beauties with you now that roses are landing in all Garden Centers!
Extremely Fragrant Roses
1. Golden Celebration (David Austin English Climbing Rose) – Large, golden yellow cup-shaped blooms with unique layering form shallow flowers with a distinctive English rose appearance and strong berry fragrance.
2. Desdemona (David Austin English Shrub Rose) – Romantic blooms of soft ivory with a hint of blush pink are rounded and relaxed and exude classic rose perfume.
3. Earth Angel (Floribunda Rose) – Cup-shaped blooms full to the brim with petals in ombre shades of pale pink have a deeply sweet fruity fragrance.
4. Grande Dame (Hybrid Tea Rose) – Vibrant magenta pink blooms (a color we think will be very popular in 2025!) are abundantly produced and carry a strong, classic damask rose aroma.
5. Mister Lincoln (Hybrid Tea Rose) – Rich, velvety red flowers have a classic shape and strong fragrance, perfect for anyone seeking a sturdy, deep red rose.
6. Princess Charlene De Monaco (Hybrid Tea Rose) – Pretty princess pink and packed with highly aromatic petals, this florist favorite is a repeat blooming rose that home gardeners will adore.
7. Yves Piaget (Hybrid Tea Rose) – Huge blooms full of ruffled petals in violet pink exude a strong rose aroma on exceptionally disease-resistant plants.
Variegated & Unusually Colored Roses
1. Blue Girl (Hybrid Tea Rose) – Otherworldly, lavender blue flowers make an ethereal and extremely lovely addition in gardens or cut flower arrangements.
2. Dark Night (Hybrid Tea Rose) – Bicolor petals are deep maroon on the top and buff-colored on the underside, creating an eye-catching and intense display, even in the heat of Summer.
3. Honey Dijon (Grandiflora Rose) – Muted, caramel blossoms are abundantly produced on this strong plant, perfect for anyone in love with neutral or unusual color palettes.
4. Neil Diamond (Hybrid Tea Rose) – Exceptionally fragrant blooms are spangled with high-contrast white and magenta pink stripes on this unforgettable rose.
5. Pop Art (Grandiflora Rose) – The shades of pink and yellow on these variegated petals are perfectly paired, creating a look that is dimensional but not gaudy.
6. Purple Tiger (Floribunda Rose) – True, brilliant purple stripes are set against white on blooms with unusual and stunning variegated patterns where no two flowers are the same.
7. Tropical Lightning (Climbing Rose) – Terra cotta oranges, dusky reds, and buff caramel combine to create striking variegated blooms that are sure to please lovers of sunset hues.
Repeat Blooming Roses
1. Eden (Climbing Rose) – Adored for its incredibly romantic, full blooms ranging from ivory to pale pink, this rose is a vigorous climber and repeat bloomer.
2. Flower Carpet White (Groundcover Rose) – Small clear white double blooms are continuously produced on low-maintenance, low-growing plants.
3. In Your Eyes (Shrub Rose) – Unique, bicolor single blooms have a striking red center with petals that emerge yellow and fade to soft purple as they age.
4. Knock Out Coral (Shrub Rose) – Brilliant double orange and coral blooms start in Spring and continue through Fall.
5. Nitty Gritty Peach (Groundcover Rose) – Beautiful peach double blooms are alluring and produced over a long period of time on this low-maintenance groundcover rose.
6. Polka (Climbing Rose) – Incredibly fragrant, rich peach frilly flowers are featured on the extended blooming period of this climbing rose.
7. Popcorn Drift (Groundcover Rose) – Buttery yellow and white flowers (with a pink flash in colder temperatures) bloom continuously on this low-maintenance plant.
How to Grow & Care for Roses
Caring for roses can seem daunting for beginners, but once you grasp a few basic concepts, you’ll be set up for success.
1. A healthy rose bush starts in the soil!
- Amend the soil around your rose each Spring by mulching with a thick layer of organic compost or wood chips to help prevent water loss during the growing season.
- Fertilize your rose when the new growth in Spring is 1–2” long. We love Portland Rose Society Fertilizer—they have both conventional and organic options.
2. Prune properly to maximum blooms!
- From late February to early March, roses should be pruned to about knee height, down to a healthy bud, with all the dead or damaged canes removed. Make sure your shears are sharp and strong enough to cut through canes without crushing them—look to Felco or Niwaki for high-quality, long-lasting options.
- Deadhead roses throughout the season once flowers are faded, or when blooms are still healthy to create your own custom floral arrangements indoors! Always deadhead or harvest blooms down to a set of 5 leaves.
3. Stay on top of pests and diseases!
- Proper pruning, airflow, and healthy roots from consistent watering and good soil should help you stay on top of most fungal issues naturally.
- To naturally deter aphids, don’t over-fertilize roses, spray the foliage off in the mornings before the heat of the day, and encourage natural predators like birds and ladybugs to visit your yard!
- If things start to escalate, a spray like Rose Rx can help get mites, insects, and fungal issues under control without stressing the plant.
Download our Rose Care Sheet to use as a quick reference for how to help your roses thrive.
For more information about caring for roses, check out our blog All About Roses: Selection, Planting & Care, or come visit us in store to get advice from one of our gardening experts!