5 of the Most Beautiful Roses to Grow in Missouri

Missouri is located in the center of the U.S., with the Mighty Mississippi as its eastern border. Temperatures typically range between 26°F and 90°F so there is quite a variation. Missouri has four distinct seasons, with the spring often announcing its arrival with spring blooms of tulips, daffodils, and crocus. But what about roses? Can roses even survive the chilly Missouri winters? With a plant hardiness zone of 5-7, are there certain types of roses that can grow? Yes! There are many rose species that not only can survive in Missouri but will produce gorgeous blooms year after year. Here are 5 of the most beautiful roses to grow in Missouri.

1. Modern Shrub Roses

Modern shrub roses have been developed over the years to be easier to care for. Unfortunately, roses sometimes have the reputation of being hard to maintain. They can be prone to diseases and pests and need a strict pruning and care schedule. But that is no longer true. Some “old garden roses” require a lot of maintenance, but newer modern shrub roses do pretty well with moderate care. They are a perfect choice for Missouri because they are hardy roses that do quite well through the winter and produce blooms all summer long. Some of the specific modern shrub roses that are popular in Missouri are:

• Carefree Beauty (Griffith Buck Roses)
• David Thompson (Explorer Series, a Canadian series)
• Cuthbert Grant (Parkland Series, another Canadian series)

2. Hybrid Tea Roses

If you love the look of classic roses and want to put a little more time into your garden, then hybrid tea roses are the perfect fit. Mixed tea roses are the most commonly grown rose today. These produce large colorful blooms all summer long and come in a wide range of colors. They delight the eye and produce a soft, welcoming fragrance. Many gardeners carefully plan their gardens based on blooming schedules and coloration. Here is a list of some beautiful hybrid tea roses by color:

• Classic Red: Chrysler Imperial, Mr. Lincoln, Dublin Rose
• Pink: Queen Elizabeth, Sweet Surrender, Sheer Bliss
• White: White Knight, Pristine, Honor
• Yellow: King’s Ransome, Elina, Oregold
• Yellow Blend: Peace

3. Floribundas

Floribundas grow well in Missouri in a sunny location with proper watering. In St. Louis, Missouri, the growing zone is 6a and 6b, so you need something that is moderately hardy. These are a little more winter-hardy than hybrid tea roses and produce more flowers per bush. Floribundas grow a little closer to the ground, so they make a lovely border flower, and they come in a variety of colors as well:

• Red: Red Pinocchio, Sunfire, Europeana
• Pink Blend: Sea Pearl
• Yellow Blend: Little Darling
• White: Rose Iceberg, French Lace
• Yellow Orange: Chrisma

4. Grandifloras

If you like the size of the hybrid tea rose’s blooms but want a more flowing rose bush, grandifloras are an excellent choice. They were created by crossing hybrid teas with floribundas to create a great option for Missouri gardens. Leave plenty of room for vertical growth, as they can get quite large. Here are a few of the Grandifloras that grow well in Missouri:

• El Captain
• Love
• Camelot
• Gold Medal

5. Everblooming Climbers

Climbing roses are always a great addition to a garden because they can add vertical and horizontal color. These sprawling rose bushes can spread across fence lines, trellises, and cobblestone walls. For climbing roses that have longer-lasting bloom, try Everblooming climbers to spread the beauty throughout the summer. Be sure to plan your garden well and leave plenty of room for these to “stretch their arms.” Some of the Everblooming climbers that you can find in Missouri include:

• Altissimo: Bright red blooms that can be 4-5 inches in width. They grow well in the growing zones of 5-9.
• William Baffin: These pink blooms are a little smaller but can withstand a little hardier weather, being suited for zones 3-9.
• Portlandia: Multi-colored with an apricot in the center and a deeper pink along the edges; these roses make an excellent climbing rose to add next to a garden bench or along a trellis.

What About Miniature Roses — Can You Grow Miniature Roses in Missouri?

Yes! If you are an urban gardener or working with a small patio, you might want to consider growing miniature roses. As their name suggests, they really are just a miniature version of roses. Their blooms are just as vibrant in color and come in a variety from deep red to sharp orange and soft pink. They can get to be 6-12 inches tall, so they make a perfect colorful addition to your patio, terrace, or rooftop container garden. For a pop of yellow on your deck, try Rainbow’s End. If you want a nice spring mix of pinks, yellows, and whites, then try Minnie Pearl, Rise N’ Shine, and Irresistible.

Are There Any Rose Gardens at the Missouri Botanical Garden?

Yes! There are two rose gardens at the Missouri Botanical Garden in Kansas City, MO. If you are looking for ideas on the most beautiful roses to grow in Missouri, you must stroll through these luscious gardens. The Gladney Rose Garden was started in 1917 and now has over 900 roses, including some climbing roses along the fence. The Anne and John Lehmann Rose Garden was established much later in 1976 and showcased roses from 154 different varieties. Some of the roses from our list appear in the garden, like the ‘Chrysler Imperial’ and the ‘Peace Rose’. After touring the rose garden, find a spot near the Shapleigh Fountain where you can listen to the falling water, smell the sweet fragrance of roses, and see the elaborate colors to delight many of your senses. Definitely, a splendid place to visit in Missouri!

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Jonathan Lenz/Shutterstock.com