You may have heard certain roses described as ‘shrub roses.’ The American Rose Society (ARS) defines them as “a class of hardy, easy-care plants that encompass bush roses that do not fit in any other category of rose bush.” They have been called the “best non-rose grower’s rose.” This makes them one of the most popular types of roses. The Columbus Park of Roses is home to about 125 varieties of shrub roses.

The plants in this diverse group are usually larger in size than typical rose bushes. They often have scented flowers and thornier stems. Shrub roses have abundant blooms, usually in clusters, and are available in a wide variety of shades of white, cream, yellow, pink, red, crimson, purple, peach and orange! Many have a continuous blooming season, from late spring until fall.

Shrub roses are low-maintenance and resist disease, which make them a good choice for public and home gardens. They can tolerate both humid as well as drought conditions. As with all roses, shrub roses do best in locations with plenty of sun. Another attractive feature is their natural shaping, which does not require routine pruning. They are hardy in USDA zones 3-11.

The well-known English breeder, David Austin (1926-2018 ), increased the popularity and number of shrub roses. When he started breeding in the 1960s, he registered them with the ARS under the ‘shrub’ category which was little used at that time. While the CPOR has David Austin roses and they look beautiful in the spring, many unfortunately don’t perform well once the hot summer arrives. We have found that the Easy Elegance series of shrub roses performs well in the CPOR throughout the season. If you have a sunny spot in your garden, consider adding a shrub rose in one of many colors — either as a focal point or backdrop for other plantings.