Roses In West Virginia: What Roses Grow Best, Stunning Rose Gardens, and More!

Written by Cindy Rasmussen
Published: May 18, 2023
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Every spring West Virginia comes to life with sprigs of green buds on the trees, tulips popping up and by late May/early June roses are beginning to bloom. While some rose bushes won’t make it through a chilly West Virginia winter, there are plenty of varieties that are hardy enough with proper care. Did you know there are even some wild roses that grow in West Virginia? If you want to see firsthand some of the beautiful roses that can grow in the state take time to visit one of the stunning rose gardens. Read on to find out all about roses in West Virginia!

Can you Grow Roses in West Virginia?

beautiful velvety red fully blown hybrid tea roses

There are a variety of beautiful roses that thrive in West Virginia.

©alybaba/Shutterstock.com

You may think it is too cold to grow roses in West Virginia but luckily that’s not true. If you winterize your roses in late fall they will go dormant and bloom again in the spring. Most of West Virginia is in the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 6 but it ranges from 5a to 7a. Look up the growing zone for your city before choosing roses because it will make a difference. Buying roses from a local garden shop is a great way to find area-specific roses. They can also give tips on the best time to plant, and when to prune and winterize.

What Roses Grow Best in West Virginia?

The best roses to grow in West Virginia are hybrid tea roses, floribunda, grandiflora, and modern shrub roses. Here are some of the classic roses you can start within a range of vibrant colors:

Knock out rose bush in the garden at backyard near patio, selective focus

Knock Out roses are a welcome addition to any backyard.

©iStock.com/volgariver

  • Knock Out Roses: These roses are some of the most familiar roses grown in the United States and have a reputation for being easy to care for and producing beautiful blooms. They come in a variety of types and colors and require minimal pruning. There are many options of where to plant them because they do quite well in full sun to partial shade.
  • Snowdrift: For a beautiful white bloom you can try the Snowdrift rose. These are wonderful cut flowers to add to a vase on your dining room table. They prosper in growing zones 4-9 which is perfect for West Virginia.
  • Sunrise Sunset: If you are looking for a rose that will update your landscaping the Sunrise Sunset rose is a good choice. These produce large blooms in bright pink/fuchsia mixed with a lighter softer pink. Imagine a row of these bloomers along the front of your house that bloom all summer long!
  • Kiss Me: These roses are a fabulous option to grow in West Virginia. Not only do these pink blooms look beautiful, but they also smell amazing! They are easy to grow and disease resistant so they don’t require a lot of extra care.
  • Sweet Fragrance: If you want to try to add a new coloration to your garden look at the Sweet Fragrance. These roses come in the colors of apricot to orange. Imagine 4-inch blooms that last almost the whole season. As the name implies, they are very fragrant as well.

Where are the Most Stunning Rose Gardens in West Virginia?

Many roses in front of a forest at the International Rose Test Garden in Washington Park in Portland, Oregon

Visit Ritter Park Rose Garden to see more than 3,000 roses!

©Nagel Photography/Shutterstock.com

There are a few noteworthy rose gardens in West Virginia. First is the Ritter Park Rose Garden in Huntington, WV. Can you imagine 3,000 roses all in the same garden in a variety of classic reds, pastel pinks, and soft yellows? The Ritter Park garden has it all! Some rose gardens just maintain their roses but Ritter Parks is adding new varieties every year. If you want to see the largest blooms it is best to visit in late May to mid-June, however, some of the roses bloom all summer.

Another stunning rose garden in West Virginia is the Palace Rose Garden in Moundsville, WV. Plan your visit for early June to mid-July to see the most full blooms. There are more than 150 different rose bushes in a rainbow of colors from deep reds to playful yellows. Enjoy the water fountains throughout the park and stop to smell some of the most unique rose scents.

Are there any Wild Roses in West Virginia?

Yes! Four wild roses grow in West Virginia. According to the West Virginia DNR, the following wild roses can be found sprucing up the landscape of West Virginia:

  • Prairie Rose (Rosa setigera): A climbing rose with three leaflets that are red-orange.
  • Swamp Rose (R. palustris): Although they might not have the most appealing name, they are a beautiful red-orange rose that you can find throughout West Virginia.
  • Pasture (Carolina) (Rose- R. Carolina): These wild roses have 7 leaflets and turn a bright red-orange. They grow pretty well in dry, rocky soil so you may see these in unexpected locations.
  • Prickly Wild Rose(R. aciculari):  The prickly wild rose is rare in West Virginia but there are some in the Northeastern corner of Hampshire County. They display a colorful pink bloom that has 3-7 leaflets. As the name implies, watch out for the prickly thorns that adorn this stunning bloom.

Is the Rose the State Flower of West Virginia?

California rhododendron is a large-leaved species of Rhododendron native to the Pacific Coast of North America

The state flower of West Virginia is the Rhododendron.

©Powerofflowers/Shutterstock.com

No. The state flower of West Virginia is the Rhododendron. One look at these beauties and you will understand why. The state declared the state flower way back on January 29, 1903. It beat out the wild rose and honeysuckle by a poll. The Rhododendron is a flowering shrub, similar to rose shrubs, that produce beautiful blooms in pink, purple, and white. They are hardy flowers that can be grown in zones 5-8 so they are well-suited for West Virginia. If you are looking for a flower that pairs well with your roses look into Rhododendrons. They can grow quite tall and their flowers accent most rose bushes.

Is the Rose the National Flower of the United States?

Dark Red Flower of Rose 'Oklahoma' in Full Bloom

The rose is the national flower of the United States.

©MasterChefNobu/Shutterstock.com

Yes! In October 1986, the Rose was designated as the national flower of the United States. Due to the long-blooming beauty of the rose, very few, if any, argue with the choice of the rose as the most beautiful flower to represent the US. Don’t be intimidated by the reputation of roses being “high maintenance”. Visit your local gardening store and discover what roses you can start with this summer!

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Gonzalo de Miceu/Shutterstock.com


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About the Author

I'm a Wildlife Conservation Author and Journalist, raising awareness about conservation by teaching others about the amazing animals we share the planet with. I graduated from the University of Minnesota-Morris with a degree in Elementary Education and I am a former teacher. When I am not writing I love going to my kids' soccer games, watching movies, taking on DIY projects and running with our giant Labradoodle "Tango".

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