Types of Long Stem Roses
- While there are hundreds of different types of roses, not all of them are considered long stem. That distinction goes to roses that have long, rigid stems at least 6 feet long. Long stem flowers are at least 5 inches in diameter. The size of a long stem rose gives it its magnificent beauty.
- The hybrid tea is the most popular long stem rose variety. It is a modern class of rose that was created in 1867 by cross cultivating a tea rose with a hybrid perpetual rose. Besides having an elegant long stem of between 5 and 6 feet, the hybrid tea rose has one large single flower per stem that with a delicate scent.
Hybrid tea roses, which are typically used by florists, come in hundreds of varieties. The flower colors include traditional red, yellow, peach, white, pale blue, fuchsia, orange and multicolored. The floral scents also vary by variety, with some having no fragrance and others with sweet pear or apricot scents.
Home gardeners should look for modern bush varieties that are disease resistant, tolerant of your planting zone climate and ideal for cut flowers. - A floribunda rose is another common long stem rose type. It is a cross between a hybrid tea rose and a polyantha rose. While not as tall as hybrid tea long stem roses, floribundas grow on long stems of about 4 feet to 5 feet. Unlike the hybrid tea rose, a cluster of floribunda rose blooms grow on each stem. The flowers are stunning and come in a variety of colors including red, mauve, salmon, pink, yellow, white, pale orange, purple, violet and multicolored.
Floribunda is a good variety for home gardeners to grow because it is hardy and disease resistant. Some varieties also make excellent cut flowers. - Grandiflora is a popular type of long stem rose that came into existence in 1954. It is a cross mix of a floribunda rose and a hybrid tea rose. The stems range in height between 4 and 6 feet. Each stem holds a cluster of flowers that are about 4 inches in diameter. Many grandiflora varieties are known for their high petal count of between 25 and 35 petals per stem.
Many glandiflora varieties have little or no fragrance, but their flower colors are rich and intense. Among the shades are deep pink, rich plum, wine, golden yellow, ruby red, purple, silver, crimson red and multicolored.
There are numerous glandiflora varieties that are disease resistant, making them ideal for home gardens. - Romantica roses are hybrids of English-style roses but feature long stem attributes of hybrid tea roses. The average stem length is about 4 feet, but several of the "rosa climbing" varieties grow as high as 12 feet.
Several varieties of romantica roses have large blooms that are reminiscent of old fashioned Victorian roses. The flowers are fragrant and grown in traditional rose colors of red, yellow, white and pink.
Home gardeners will find romantica roses disease resistant, tolerant of high temperatures and perfect as cut flowers.
