13 Types of Pretty Pink Roses

There is a staggering variety of colors available for roses, but for many gardeners, pink rose varietals are the most popular. Pink roses may range from delicate, ethereal pastels to vibrant, fiery pink and everything in between.

In this guide, we’ll explore some of the most popular pink rose varieties out there today, be they old roses, modern roses, floribundas, miniatures, English roses, or any other class of rose. Our guide’s assortment of many pink rose varieties is perfect if you like growing classic pink roses for gardening or flower arranging.

The History of Pink Roses

Because they occur naturally and are thought to be the most basic type of roses, species roses — one of the three categories of roses — are also known as wild roses. Contrary to the stereotype of roses, their blossoms typically have five petals, and the majority, if not all of them, are naturally pink.

A petrified rose with pink petals from roughly 40 million years ago has even been discovered by archaeologists. Early antique artwork also included depictions of pink flowers. Pink roses often represent love and affection, which explains why people frequently offer them as gifts.

Keeping the history and meaning of pink roses in mind, let’s look at some pink rose varieties.

1. Juliet Rose

Botanical Name: Rosa ‘Juliet’

The Juliet rose is considered the most costly flower in the world due to the approximately 3 million pounds that famed English rose breeder David Austin put into its development. He toiled for 15 years before debuting it at the Chelsea flower show in 2006 and selling it for close to 5 million dollars.

This rose has lovely, unusual petals and a characteristic full cup. Its tint is apricot-pink, and it smells deliciously peachy. The health and vitality of this rose are remarkable, and it is resistant to illness. For unhindered growth, the Juliet rose needs more than six hours of direct sunlight each day.

2. Zephirine Drouhin Rose

Botanical Name: Rosa ‘Zephirine Drouhin’

In 1868, French rose breeder Bizot created this distinctive pink English rose with rich rose-pink blossoms and a strong raspberry fragrance. It produces spectacular, deep pink blooms with obvious venation (vein patterns) that pollinators and garden visitors alike appreciate. Because of its smooth stems, this rose shrub is also known as Thornless Rose (as well as Charles Bonnet Rose).

It typically grows to a height of 16.4 feet (5 meters) and planting in containers is not advised. It practically perpetually and freely blooms. The USDA Hardiness Zones 5-11 are ideal for growing this thornless climbing rose. With this rose, disease control might occasionally be a challenge.

3. Apricot Drift Rose

Botanical Name: Rosa ‘Meimirrote’

Don’t let the name mislead you. The light pink Apricot Drift rose has a faint undertone of warm apricot, but it is definitely pink. This groundcover rose is covered in clusters of tiny, double pink blooms, making it perfect for enhancing sidewalks and small garden areas with pops of color. These adorable tiny shrubs are wonderful starting plants since they require so little maintenance. The entire summer, they will bloom to the fullest. They’ll even produce lovely rose hips in the fall if you are neglect to deadhead them.

4. New Dawn Rose

Botanical Name: Rosa ‘New Dawn’

The New Dawn rose is the one you should choose if you want to create a romantic ambiance in your garden. You can create a fairy tale-like setting if you train this Hall of Fame champion over an arch. However, this 10- to 15-foot climber is active, so use caution. To accommodate its long canes and profusion of silvery, soft blush-colored blossoms, make sure you have enough room.

This rose blooms repeatedly from spring until frost in flushes. It has a gentle, clean fragrance. Additionally, it has outstanding disease resistance. Its blousy, light pink blossoms won’t likely let you down. This variety took home the title of “World’s Most Popular Rose” in 1997 from the World Convention of Rose Societies.

5. Princess Alexandra of Kent Rose

Botanical Name: Rosa ‘Princess Alexandra of Kent’

The Princess Alexandra of Kent rose is an English variety with 130 petals and a rich, dense look. Princess Alexandra, a passionate gardener, inspired the name of the plant.

This rose’s extraordinarily huge, vivid pink blossoms have full petals and a deep cup. Despite their size, they are never awkward since they are kept perfectly still on a well-rounded bush. This rose has a powerful, wonderful fresh tea scent that gradually transitions to lemon and traces of blackcurrants.

This repeat-flowering rose grows well in USDA Hardiness Zones 4-11 and reaches a maximum height of around 5 feet (1.5 meters).

6. Colette Rose

Botanical Name: Rosa ‘Meiroupis’

Consider the lovely Colette rose if the New Dawn rose we mentioned earlier seems a bit too powerful for you. A slightly shorter climber, the Colette rose grows to around 8 to 10 feet (2.5 to 4 meters) tall and covered in delicate, coral-pink ruffled blossoms. This lovely rose has both a traditional appearance and contemporary disease resistance.

The best place to plant the Colette rose is where it can climb up a wall or trellis since it will bloom often throughout the summer. If you choose the Colette, you will be rewarded with season-long flowers with strong damask perfume.

7. Wildeve Rose

Botanical Name: Rosa ‘Wildeve’

Maybe your rose doesn’t have a fantastic sunny place to grow. Perhaps you desire a unique-looking blossom. The Wildeve rose, a shade-tolerant beauty with rosette-shaped quartered blooms, comes into play in these situations. This rose does not require as much sunlight as other roses, and it has a unique look. 

The outer petals of the Wildeve rose are a creamy white with an apricot tint, and the inner petals are pale pink. Its blossoms have a faint fragrance. It thrives in a broad variety of zones. This hardy shrub has a reputation for being robust and simple to maintain. This English shrub rose is an undervalued, safe pick for anybody searching for an elegant pink addition to their landscape.

8. Carefree Wonder Rose

Botanical Name: Rosa ‘Meipitac’

The double blooms of the Carefree Wonder rose have distinctive colors. Plant a handful of these landscape roses to fill your yard in rich, brilliant pink, cupped flowers with a white reverse. You won’t need to take additional care of the Carefree Wonder rose by giving it more fertilizer or trimming; it lives up to its name. Even if you give this type a little amount of neglect after it’s established, it will bloom from June till frost. All summer long, the Carefree Wonder rose is a stunning head-turner. In the fall, it will produce magnificent orange rose hips, giving your garden another season of appeal.

9. Woods’ Rose

Botanical Name: Rosa woodsii

You have several lovely alternatives if you adore roses yet wish to create a natural garden! Look into the Woods’ rose in the western United States. Rosa woodsii has adorable, tiny flowers that come in various pink and violet tones. Five solitary petals make up the open bloom of this wild rose. The pollinators can get to this simple form the easiest. It is the ideal pink rose for gardeners who wish to help local bees.

From early May till early July, this variety flowers. Following its blooms, the shrub is covered with an abundance of orange-red hips that provide food for wildlife and beautify it throughout the fall. For designing woods and rural gardens, it works beautifully. Once established, this natural shrub will thrive in various environments and can even withstand drought. Rosa woodsii may grow into thickets, so be sure to trim as required to keep the size under control.

10. Peace Rose

Botanical Name: Rosa ‘Peace’

One of the most popular and well-known pink hybrid tea roses is called the Peace Rose, 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 All-America Rose Selections (AARS) recognition.

This rose boasts enormous, five to six-inch yellow flowers with pink edges. The rose’s colors intensify and become more vivid as it ages. These gorgeous blossoms are supported by heavy, straight stems that make them excellent for cutting. This rose has numerous huge flowers and dark glossy leaves. It may grow to be 6 feet tall and 3 feet wide. Expect this rose to grow in USDA Hardiness Zones 4-9.

11. Queen Elizabeth Rose

Botanical Name: Rosa ‘Queen Elizabeth’

Numerous rose enthusiasts buy this magnificent grandiflora rose at first to pay homage to its namesake, but they quickly discover its many benefits. Because of its hardiness and big, pure pink blossoms, Queen Elizabeth rose deserves a spot in every garden.

The Queen Elizabeth rose, which was formerly named “World’s Favorite Rose,” repeat-flowers all season long and is hard to destroy. As a grandiflora, it offers long-stemmed, substantial clusters of flowers that are excellent for cutting. This rose is perfect for the rear of the border because of its tall, upright growth habit.

12. Sweet Sunblaze Rose

Botanical Name: Rosa ‘Meitonje’

In the tiniest package, the Sweet Sunblaze rose delivers all the traditional charm of a real pink rose. This small dazzler, which is a part of the Star Roses and Plants Bloomables line, will only reach a height of 18 inches.

The Sweet Sunblaze rose is a robust variety with cheery double flowers in pink. It works as well, nestled into flower beds for a beautiful touch of pink, but its small size makes it perfect for planting in pots to enliven your patio. The blossoms of this rose have a stunning wavy appearance with a unique charm when completely opened. This rose is genuinely low-maintenance. Plant it for your own benefit or as a present for a lucky friend or family member!

13. The Fairy Rose

Botanical Name: Rosa ‘The Fairy’

The feeling of a mystical garden is produced by the fairy rose. Consider using this rose with its profusion of small pink pompon blossoms in sprays around the bush to create a magical ambiance.

Don’t let the fairy rose’s dainty appearance mislead you. The polyantha class of roses, which are renowned for being hardy and disease-free, includes this shrubby perennial rose variation. This little shrub looks stunning flowing from pots or planted in large groups. Enjoy the summer-long mild apple aroma of the fairy rose by planting it in full sun. Maybe this can serve as the beginning of your very own garden fairytale!

Summary of 13 Types of Pretty Pink Roses

Here’s a recap of the 13 lovely pink roses that we took a look at.

With all of these fantastic pink rose varieties in mind, you’ll surely find the perfect rose variety for your needs. As pink is the most common color of roses worldwide, the options are quite endless!

The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/Marina Izvekova