9 Types Of Colorful Hybrid Tea Roses

A closeup of a pink hybrid tea rose growing in a garden
© iStock.com/Wirestock

Written by Em Casalena

Updated: August 23, 2023

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The hybrid tea rose is ideal for a wide range of garden settings, from formal rose gardens to limited borders and just about everywhere else, thanks to its picture-perfect rose blossom shape and wide color palette.

Hybrid tea roses could easily be seen as the most popular roses in the world. It is a cross between a hybrid perennial and an old-fashioned tea rose. Their large and strong stems, wonderfully formed blooms, and the unmatched scent of hybrid teas make them highly prized. Every year, new hybrid tea rose kinds are released, but there are certain timeless favorites that gardeners keep going back to. The majority of hybrid tea roses are consistently hardy in USDA hardiness zones five through nine.

In this article, we’ll explore all of the basics you need to know about hybrid tea roses and a few excellent varieties to plant in your garden.

Where Did Hybrid Tea Roses Come From?

One of the earliest rose classes is thought to be hybrid tea roses. The common tea rose, and hybrid perpetual rose was bred together and resulted in the “La France” rose in 1867, which is said to have been the first of its kind. More crossbreeds were produced after that, but hybrid tea roses didn’t gain popularity until the Peace rose was formally labeled in 1945. The Peace rose embodied every admirable trait of a hybrid tea rose. This cultivar and other variants of it are still readily available on the market today.

How to Care for Hybrid Tea Roses

Most of the time, this group of roses is cultivated for cut flowers. As a result, in a garden setting, the plants themselves aren’t the most attractive. Hybrid tea roses can have a quite sparse appearance because of their quickly expanding upright stems, a scant number of leaves, and often single bloom per stem. However, they will mix in with the appropriate perennial companions, which might work in their favor.

First of all, roses require full light. Less light results in lower-quality flowers, an increased risk of foliar disease, a higher probability of their stems flopping, and weaker plants overall. Rose foliar infections are a significant issue, and hybrid teas are particularly prone to them. The primary offender is black spot, a fungus that results in distinctive black patches on the leaves. It’s practically a given that rosebushes will acquire this in many regions at some point in their lifetime. Planting in full sun, pruning correctly for optimal air movement, and avoiding watering the leaves as much as possible are the greatest preventative measures. Remove any diseased leaves and any detritus from surrounding plants to stop future outbreaks of fungus, which are typically spread by water droplets.

Hybrid Tea Roses Features

Plant your rosebushes in soil that drains nicely. After your hole has been made, make a mound in the middle and gently distribute the roots over it. Next, fill the hole with enriched soil, ensuring any gaps are filled, and air holes are eliminated by pushing the soil down. Most hybrid tea rose plants are grafted, which contributes to many cultivars’ increased vigor and hardiness. Make sure the graft union, which is the protruding knob-like area near the plant’s base, is buried one to two inches below the soil level in northern regions or slightly above the soil in warmer areas when you plant them.

After planting, give your rose plant plenty of water at the base. Continue providing regular watering as the plants develop, especially during dry spells. Since roses are heavy feeders, feeding them frequently is advantageous. Provide repeat-flowering cultivars with an adequate amount of fertilizer.

Do Hybrid Tea Roses Need To Be Pruned?

Some types of roses are more particular than others, and pruning can be a real bother. But pruning is quite simple as long as you know the right methods. Right before the plants emerge from dormancy, late January is the ideal time to prune hybrid tea roses.

Remove any rotten, diseased, or old wood first. Long stems can be pruned to four to six buds from the base, or around ten to fifteen inches above the graft. If the winter dieback was severe, prune back the tree until live wood is reached. Cut down smaller shoots more severely, leaving only a few buds or a few inches of shoot above the ground. As a general rule, stems must be at least the thickness of a pencil to support blossoms.

Cut back to the ground as the plants age and the canes grow thick and sturdy. This promotes fresh new shoot growth from the base and improves airflow to the plant’s core. Additionally, confirm that all of the shoots originate above the graft union. If they’re not, the cultivar plant may ultimately get suffocated if they come from the rose rootstock. Cut any stems below the union all the way down to the main stem before planting.

With all of this newfound knowledge on hybrid tea roses in mind, let’s look at a few different cultivars.

1. Tropicana Rose

Botanical Name: Rosa ‘Tropicana’

It could be worth the risk to cultivate this fragrant hybrid tea rose with double coral-orange flowers, even if it is susceptible to mildew. Still, the Tropicana rose is very disease resistant. Since receiving the All-America Rose Selection prize in 1963, the Tropicana rose has enjoyed popularity among gardeners. If you’re looking for a rose with a very vibrant color, this is definitely a variety worth planting in your own garden.

A closeup shot of the bright orange Tropicana rose

The Tropicana rose (pictured) is one of the most densely-colored hybrid tea roses available.

©Olga Ganovicheva/Shutterstock.com

2. Veterans’ Honor Rose

Botanical Name: Rosa ‘Veterans’ Honor’

The rich, dark crimson blossoms of the Veterans’ Honor rose have an aroma that is evocative of berries. A percentage of each sale benefits the Department of Veteran Affairs, and it was created in 1999 to commemorate the men and women who served in the American Armed Forces.

3. Mister Lincoln Rose

Botanical Name: Rosa ‘Mister Lincoln’

The Mister Lincoln rose is regarded by many rose specialists as the greatest red rose ever. The exquisite six-inch, high-centered, totally double blooms are formed by the urn-shaped, rich-maroon buds opening their velvety petals. These flowers have 25 to 40 vibrant red petals, which can occasionally turn a stunning purple when exposed to lots of sunlight. The long-lasting blooms, which are produced freely on long stems and have a distinct melon scent, are ideal for cutting and display.

This rose is a robust grower with a long bloom season and excellent resistance to unfavorable weather, especially heat. It has a lovely tall, upright form with leathery, dark green foliage that serves as an excellent background for the blooms. A show unlike any other, this hybrid tea grows to an astonishing height of six feet.

The Mr. Lincoln rose has vibrant red petals which can occasionally turn a stunning purple when exposed to lots of sunlight.

©Roozitaa, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons – Original / License

4. Friendship Rose

Botanical Name: Rosa ‘Friendship’

Friendship hybrid tea roses feature enormous, deep pink flowers bordered with a wash of crimson and a powerful, sweet smell, which sets them apart from the yellow and red bicolor roses promoted by florists as denoting friendship. This All-America Rose Selection winner from 1979 can withstand various environments and demonstrates strong disease resistance.

5. Peace Rose

Botanical Name: Rosa ‘Peace’

One of the most popular and well-known hybrid tea roses is called Peace in honor of the conclusion of World War II. The war halted this rose’s development after M. Meilland in France bred it. For completion, it was transferred to the United States. In 1946, the same year that the peace treaty with Japan was signed, the Rose received AARS recognition.

This rose boasts enormous, five to six-inch yellow flowers with pink edges. The rose’s hues intensify and spread as it gets older. These gorgeous blossoms, which are perfect for cut flower arrangements, are supported by heavy, straight stems. This rose has numerous huge flowers, dark glossy leaves and may grow to be six feet tall and three feet wide.

A closeup of the vibrant orange-pink Peace rose, a hybrid tea rose

The Peace rose (pictured) boasts a beautiful ombre effect in its yellow-pink petals.

©Alex Kinval/Shutterstock.com

6. April in Paris Rose

Botanical Name: Rosa ‘JACprize’

This Pristine and New Zealand hybrid once won the All-American Rose Selections Award. It features painterly flowers that are finely petaled and have a gentle cream and pink coloration. Pointed, ovoid buds grow into four to five-inch blooms on strong, generous stems throughout the course of the season, making them ideal for cutting. The blooms’ strong tea rose scent lingers for a very long time in the yard or vase.

This rose bush is a stunning showcase in the garden, growing to a height of five feet and a width of four feet. The light blossoms are contrasted by the dark green leaves. The plant grows best in full sun, well-drained, slightly acidic soil with medium moisture levels.

7. Gemini Rose

Botanical Name: Rosa ‘JACnepal’

The Gemini rose is a hybrid tea rose that blooms continuously throughout a long growing season, from late spring to late October. Long, plump buds that are born alone spiral open to form five-inch high, centered double flowers with 30 to 35 petals and a faint aroma. Long, robust stems that are perfect for cutting support the stunning bicolored coral-pink and creamy white blossoms, which have the appearance of porcelain painted.

The upright form of the tall shrub makes it suitable for both solitary plantings and mixed beds. The Gemini is a cross between the robust, heat-tolerant New Zealand rose New Year and the exquisite old hybrid tea rose Anne Morrow Lindbergh. It possesses the best traits of both parents.

A closeup of the orange-red Gemini rose against a green garden backdrop

The Gemini rose (pictured) can add a lovely pastel color scheme to any garden.

©JHVEPhoto/Shutterstock.com

8. Sugar Plum Rose

Botanical Name: Rosa ‘JACgemo’

Dr. Keith Zary created Sugar Plum, a hybrid offspring of Gemini and Moon Shadow, for Jackson and Perkins. This is an exceptional rose with the best qualities of both parents. It has a remarkable fragrance that is reminiscent of strong sweet peas. This rose is a rich lavender flecked with pink and purple. Its lovely double flowers perch atop lengthy stalks and repeat throughout the year. It is a gorgeous natural-cut flower with excellent form and color, a pleasant scent, and strong 18-inch stems. Give this rose a chance; you’ll soon fall for its eccentric qualities.

9. Garden Party Rose

Botanical Name: Rosa ‘Garden Party’

The Garden Party rose is a wonderful option for a delicate white bloom. Outside of its double, creamy white blossoms are pink ruffles. The Garden Party rose has a mellow aroma you’ll like having in your house and is especially excellent as a cut flower. Summer heat is preferred by this hybrid tea rose, so it is hardy in warmer climates.

The hybrid tea roses we’ve listed in this guide are certainly beloved classics. However, there are likely hundreds of hybrid tea roses out there. If one of our varieties didn’t stir any creative excitement in you, there are many other hybrid tea roses to explore. Surely, with a little research, you’ll be able to find the perfect hybrid tea rose for your garden!

Rosa ‘Garden Party’ roses have a mellow aroma you’ll enjoy having in your house.

©掬茶, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons – Original / License

Summary Of 9 Types Of Colorful Hybrid Tea Roses

#RoseColor
1Tropicana RoseVibrant pinkish-orange
2Veterans’ Honor Rose
Dark crimson
3Mister Lincoln RoseRich maroon
4Friendship RoseDeep pink flowers bordered with crimson
5Peace RoseYellow with pink edges
6April in Paris RoseGentle cream and pink
7Gemini RoseCoral-pink and creamy white
8Sugar Plum RoseRich lavender flecked with pink and purple
9Garden Party RoseDouble, creamy white blossoms with pink ruffles
Summary Of 9 Types Of Colorful Hybrid Tea Roses


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About the Author

Em Casalena is a writer at A-Z Animals where their primary focus is on plants, gardening, and sustainability. Em has been writing and researching about plants for nearly a decade and is a proud Southwest Institute of Healing Arts graduate and certified Urban Farming instructor. Em is a resident of Arizona and enjoys learning about eco-conscious living, thrifting at local shops, and caring for their Siamese cat Vladimir.

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