Grandiflora roses are an interesting classification of roses with all the benefits of both floribunda and hybrid tea roses.
Their large, beautiful flowers may seem like they are fickle, high-maintenance plants, but this is simply not the same.
Grandifloras are no harder than any other classification of rose.
We’re here to guide you on how to care for grandifloras, as well as 8 amazing varieties you can use for cut flowers.
The Difference Between Floribunda And Grandiflora Roses
While floribunda and grandiflora roses do share a lot of similarities, there are some key differences that differentiate the two classifications of roses.
- Floribundas are grown for quantity. They are well-known to produce large yields of flowers on a single plant. Meanwhile, grandifloras are built for quality. They don’t produce quite as many flowers as floribundas, but their blooms are much larger.
- The Grandiflora shrub itself is very large. These roses are often used for the back of a mixed border because of their tall height.
- Grandifloras are not as hardy as floribundas. Generally, they can only grow in zones 6 through 10.
Grandiflora Roses Care Tips
How To Plant Grandiflora Roses
The best type of soil to plant your grandiflora roses has these few requirements: sandy, fertile, and slightly acidic.
The sand not only helps loosen the soil but it increases drainage, which helps the root system grow with ease.
In addition, we recommend amending the soil with manure or compost to increase fertility of the soil.
Because of their large flower size, grandifloras need more water than other types of rose.
Your grandifloras should be watered regularly, making sure that the soil is consistently moist. This is especially important in your shrubs’ earliest stage when you first transplant them into the soil.
Water your roses at the base of the plant in order to prevent wet foliage (which is a leading cause of disease and mildew).
When And How Do You Prune A Grandiflora Rose
Due to their large growth pattern, grandifloras need heavy pruning every year.
Pruning should occur during the late winter or early spring, just as your rose shrub is entering its new growth season.
Start pruning by cutting away at any branches that died or became diseased during the winter.
Follow by cutting back healthy branches to 4-6 buds from the base. On average, you’ll need to cut back around 1/3 of the shrub.
How To Deadhead Grandiflora Roses
Deadheading grandifloras not only preserves the aesthetic of the rose bush but is helpful in encouraging new flower growth.
Deadheading is simply the term for pruning the flower part of the shrub.
Examine the stem on which the rose grows, you should notice a small offshoot that has 5 leaflets, typically this is right underneath the rose itself.
Make an angled cut just above this branch.
8 Best Grandiflora Roses For Cut Flowers
We’ve compiled this list of 8 of the best grandiflora roses that you can use for cut flowers.
Gift your loved ones with these beautiful roses that you’ve grown yourself!
1. Love Rose
Love rose was bred by William A. Warriner in the United States, before 1977.
| COLOR: Scarlet, White Reverse | BLOOM SIZE: Large | FRAGRANCE: None |
| PLANT SIZE: 3ft – 4ft | FLOWERING: Repeat Flowering | PREFERRED LOCATION: Full Sun |
We’re certain that you will love the Love rose!
This rose variety is award-winning, earning the highly prestigious All-America Rose selection in 1980.
The shrub of the Love rose is very compact and has gorgeous dark, glossy leaves.
When you’re not harvesting these roses for your vase, they also make a perfect choice for borders or hedges.
2. Aquarius Rose
The Aquarius rose was bred by David L. Armstrong before 1970.
| COLOR: Pink | BLOOM SIZE: Medium To Large | FRAGRANCE: Mild Fragrance |
| PLANT SIZE: 3ft | FLOWERING: Repeat Flowering | PREFERRED LOCATION: Full Sun |
The Aquarius rose had its international release in France in 1970, and then again in Australia in 1974.
The growth pattern of the Aquarius rose is bushy and upright, a trait that is inherited from the hybrid tea rose.
3. Arizona Rose
Arizona rose was bred in the United States by Swim & Weeks in 1973.
| COLOR: Salmon-Orange | BLOOM SIZE: Medium To Large | FRAGRANCE: Strong, Sweet, Tea Rose Fragrance |
| PLANT SIZE: 5ft | FLOWERING: Repeat Flowering | PREFERRED LOCATION: Full Sun |
It is a combination of hybrid tea roses, Fred Howard, Golden Scepter, and Golden Rapture.
Arizona rose is a vigorously growing upright shrub.
Its tall height makes this rose excellent for mixed borders in addition to cut roses.
4. Mount Shasta Rose
Mount Shasta rose was bred by Swim & Weeks in the United States, in 1963.
| COLOR: White | BLOOM SIZE: Large | FRAGRANCE: Moderate Fragrance |
| PLANT SIZE: 3ft – 4ft | FLOWERING: Repeat Flowering | PREFERRED LOCATION: Full Sun |
The Mount Shasta rose is a hybrid of the Queen Elizabeth rose (one of the very first grandifloras) and the Blanche Mallerin.
The bloom form of the Mount Shasta rose is described as being cupped.
The petals arrange in a circular pattern, and the center has a “scooped out” appearance.
5. Prominent Rose
The Prominent rose was bred by German rose breeder Reimer Kordes in Germany prior to 1970. It is a hybrid of roses Colour Wonder and Zorina.
| COLOR: Orange Shading | BLOOM SIZE: Medium | FRAGRANCE: Mild Fragrance |
| PLANT SIZE: 2ft – 3ft | FLOWERING: Repeat Flowering | PREFERRED LOCATION: Full Sun |
The vibrant orange blooms of the Prominent roses have a cupped bloom form.
These flowers have a large number of petals, averaging about 33 petals per rose.
The shrub itself grows upright and has dense, matte green foliage.
6. Sonia Rose
The Sonia rose was bred by Marie-Louise Meilland in 1970. It is a hybrid of the roses Zambra, Baccara, and White Knight.
| COLOR: Salmon-Pink | BLOOM SIZE: Large | FRAGRANCE: Mild, Fruity Fragrance |
| PLANT SIZE: 4ft | FLOWERING: Repeat Flowering | PREFERRED LOCATION: Full Sun |
The flower itself is large and double-bloomed.
The shrub is well-branched with dark green, glossy foliage.
These roses are known to attract pollinator insects such as bees and butterflies.
7. White Lightnin’ Rose
White Lightnin’ rose was bred by Jack E. Christensen and Herbert C. Swim in the United States, before 1979.
| COLOR: White | BLOOM SIZE: Medium-Large | FRAGRANCE: Strong, Citrus, Lemon Fragrance |
| PLANT SIZE: 4ft – 5ft | FLOWERING: Repeat Flowering | PREFERRED LOCATION: Full Sun |
The White Lightnin’ rose was originally introduced in 1980 and has been a popular rose variety ever since.
This rose variety is not only great for cutting, but it is also small enough to be grown in containers.
Container gardening is especially convenient for apartment gardeners or anyone who does not have their own in-ground garden space.
8. Scarlet Knight Rose
Scarlet Knight rose was bred by Marie-Louise Meilland in France, before 1966.
| COLOR: Red | BLOOM SIZE: Very Large | FRAGRANCE: Mild Fragrance |
| PLANT SIZE: 3ft | FLOWERING: Repeat Flowering | PREFERRED LOCATION: Full Sun |
The large blooms of the Scarlet Knight rose grow solitary and contain a large number of petals- about 26 to 40 petals per rose.
The stems of the Scarlet Knight rose tend to be a bit prickly.
Thorns are a normal part of roses, but they’re less than welcome in a floral arrangement.
Make sure to trim off any thorns on the stems of your roses.
Conclusion
Nothing makes a statement quite like a vase of grandiflora roses.
Their large blooms, vibrant colors, and abundant petals make for an amazing gift for friends, family, or lovers.
Here are other types of roses you may like:
