The long-stem rose bush varieties are one of the most elegant and sophisticated types of roses.
The beauty and simplicity of long-stem roses have made them a symbol of love and romance, and they have been cherished by people all over the world for centuries.
In this article, we will explore caring for long-stem rose bushes, as well as looking at 10 great examples.
What Is A Long Stem Rose Bush
A long-stem rose bush is a type of rose plant that produces long, slender stems with large blooms at the top.
These roses are typically hybrid tea roses, which are known for their long, straight stems and classic, elegant shape.
Long-stem roses are often grown for commercial purposes and are prized for their beauty and longevity.
Growing And Caring For A Long Stem Rose Bush
Soil And Location Requirements
While roses are well known for being tolerant of poor soil conditions, you’ll get the best results from soil that is well-draining and rich in organic matter.
Ideally, the soil should have a slightly acidic pH of around 6.0 to 6.5.
For the most part, long-stem rose bushes will do best in a location that receives ample sunlight during the day.
Aim for about 6 to 8 hours of sun.
Planting And Watering
Dig a hole that is twice the size of the rose’s root ball and amend the soil with compost or organic matter.
Gently remove the rose from its container and loosen any tangled roots before placing it in the hole.
Backfill the hole with soil and water thoroughly.
Be sure to space the roses to allow for adequate airflow and prevent disease.
When watering your long-stem rose bush, it is imperative to make sure that the soil is lightly moist, but never waterlogged.
This can be achieved by closely monitoring the soil for dryness.
Don’t hesitate to stick your finger in the soil to gauge its moisture levels.
If the first few inches of soil are completely dry, then it is a good idea to rehydrate your plants.
Fertilizing And Pruning
The best time to fertilize roses is in early spring, just as new growth begins.
Use a balanced fertilizer that is specially formulated for rose bush development.
Apply the fertilizer evenly around the base of the plant, being careful not to get any on the plant itself as fertilizer can burn the plant.
Water the plant thoroughly after applying fertilizer to help it absorb the nutrients.
Fertilizer can be reapplied at the beginning of the summer as well, just prior to the buds growing in.
The best time to prune roses is in late winter or early spring.
Check with your local weather to determine when the opportune time to prune is, as certain rose varieties are highly sensitive to frost and should be pruned after all frost has passed.
Start by removing all diseased, damaged, or unproductive rose branches.
A good rule of thumb is to trim no more than 1/3 of the bush.
Pest And Disease Control
Routinely inspect the rose bush for any sign of pests.
Common pests that can affect roses include aphids, Japanese beetles, rose slugs, or spider mites.
Most of these pests tend to congregate on the foliage of the plant or on the flower itself.
Thoroughly inspect the bush, making sure to check on the underside of the leaves.
Pests are most likely to attack a row bush that is already in failing health.
The foremost way to prevent pests is by maintaining strong, healthy plants.
Common diseases that can affect the health of your long-stem rose bushes include mildew, rose rust, and blackspots.
Wet foliage plus insufficient airflow is a deadly combination for these diseases.
This can be prevented by reducing overhead watering (water your bushes as close to the base as possible) and maintaining a yearly pruning routine in order to increase airflow.
Winter Protection
Winterizing a long-stem rose bush is necessary to protect it from harsh winter temps.
The steps may seem tedious, but rest assured they are necessary to ensure that the plant survives the winter freeze:
- Check with your local weather advisory on when the first anticipated frost date will be. This day varies from location to location. This will act as a timeline for when you should winterize your long-stem rose bush.
- Cease fertilizing your rose bush about six weeks before the first expected frost date. This will help the plant to slow down its growth and prepare for the winter. In addition, water the rose bush well before the first hard frost; the soil should be moist, but not waterlogged.
- After the first hard frost, cut back the rose bush to about 2/3 of its original height. This will help prevent breakage from heavy snow and ice. Remove any leaves or debris from around the base of the plant. This will help prevent disease and pests from overwintering in the soil.
- Add a layer of organic mulch, such as straw or shredded leaves, around the base of the plant. This will help insulate the roots and protect them from freezing.
Top 10 Long Stem Rose Bush Varieties
1. Double Delight Rose
Double Delight rose was bred by A.E. & A.W. Ellis and Herbert C. Swim in the United States, before 1976.
| COLOR: Cream, Red Edges | BLOOM SIZE: Very Large | FRAGRANCE: Strong, Spice Fragrance |
| PLANT SIZE: 3ft – 5ft | FLOWERING: Repeat Flowering | PREFERRED LOCATION: Full Sun |
The Double Delight rose has large flowers with a high-centered bloom form.
This particular cultivar of rose requires abundant sunlight in order to produce a high yield of quality roses.
The plant itself is medium in size and is capable of being grown in containers.
When growing roses in containers, we suggest selecting soil that has more drainage than in-ground soil.
This will help prevent your roses from being waterlogged, which tends to be more common in container plants.
USDA growing zone: 7b through 10b.
2. Red Masterpiece Rose
Red Masterpiece rose was bred by William A. Warriner in the United States, in 1974.
| COLOR: Dark Red | BLOOM SIZE: Large | FRAGRANCE: Strong, Old Rose Fragrance |
| PLANT SIZE: 4ft | FLOWERING: Repeat Flowering | PREFERRED LOCATION: Full Sun |
The Red Masterpiece is one of the most beautiful hybrid tea roses with a high-centered bloom form.
These dark red roses have a very strong rose fragrance, making this an excellent gift for loved ones who adore the classic scent of old-fashioned roses.
Each flower can contain about 30 petals.
The bush itself is considered medium-sized (approximately 4 feet tall) and is compatible with large containers.
USDA growing zone: 7b and warmer.
3. Orangeade Rose
Orangeade rose was bred by Samuel Darragh McGredy IV in 1955.
| COLOR: Orange | BLOOM SIZE: Large | FRAGRANCE: Moderate Fragrance |
| PLANT SIZE: 3ft – 6ft | FLOWERING: Repeat Flowering | PREFERRED LOCATION: Full Sun |
The Orangeade rose tends to be susceptible to blackspot.
However, small changes in the cultural care of your rose bushes will reduce the risk of blackspots.
When caring for your Orangeade roses, it is important to increase airflow and decrease unnecessary moisture.
RELATED: Combatting Black Spots On Rose Leaves
Always water your roses as close to the base as possible, and avoid splashing water onto the foliage and the flowers.
Overhead watering can cause trapped moisture, which combined with insufficient airflow, is a recipe for blackspot.
Additionally, regular pruning of your rose bushes is necessary for air circulation and for removing any questionable branches that may be weak or already diseased.
USDA growing zone: 6b through 9b.
4. Cherish Rose
Cherish rose was bred by William Warriner in the United States, before 1977.
| COLOR: Orange-Pink | BLOOM SIZE: Medium | FRAGRANCE: Moderate Fragrance |
| PLANT SIZE: 3ft – 4ft | FLOWERING: Repeat Flowering | PREFERRED LOCATION: Full Sun |
The Cherish rose is a floribunda rose that has a double, high-centered bloom form and about 28 petals per flower.
Cherish roses produce high yields of flowers that bloom together in small clusters.
Cherish roses have a compact, spreading growth habit.
Roses with a spreading growth habit are excellent to use as a ground cover in order to fill out empty spaces in your garden.
Additionally, Cherish roses can also be used for borders, hedges, or cut flowers.
USDA growing zone: 6b and warmer.
5. First Edition Rose
First Edition rose was bred by G. Delbard in France, in 1976.
| COLOR: Orange Blend | BLOOM SIZE: Medium To Large | FRAGRANCE: Light To Mild, Tea Fragrance |
| PLANT SIZE: 3ft – 4ft | FLOWERING: Repeat Flowering | PREFERRED LOCATION: Full Sun |
The First Edition rose is a floribunda rose that has an exhibition bloom form.
These flowers are noted for having none to very little scent, which can be perfect for those who are sensitive to strong aromas.
As a floribunda, First Edition rose bushes are known for producing high yields of flowers.
You can help maximize your plant’s flower production by deadheading your roses as they begin to wilt on the plant.
Properly deadhead your roses by locating the nearest set of leaflets on the stem and making an angled cut using clean, sharp shears.
RELATED: How To Deadhead Roses (Made Simple)
Doing so will help ensure you get the most amount of flowers in a growing season.
USDA growing zone: 6b and warmer.
6. White Masterpiece Rose
White Masterpiece rose was bred by Eugene S. Boerner in the United States, before 1966.
| COLOR: White | BLOOM SIZE: Large | FRAGRANCE: Moderate Fragrance |
| PLANT SIZE: 4ft | FLOWERING: Repeat Flowering | PREFERRED LOCATION: Full Sun |
White Masterpiece roses are classified as hybrid tea roses.
They have a high-centered, double-bloom form.
Each flower can contain around 17 to 25 petals.
White Masterpiece roses are repeat bloomers and will bloom in flushes throughout the growing season.
USDA growing zone: 6b through 9b.
7. Fragrant Cloud Rose
Fragrant Cloud rose was bred by Mathias Tantau, Jr in Germany, in 1956.
| COLOR: Coral-Red | BLOOM SIZE: Very Large | FRAGRANCE: Strong, Citrus, Damask, Fruity, Spice Fragrance |
| PLANT SIZE: 5ft | FLOWERING: Repeat Flowering | PREFERRED LOCATION: Full Sun |
The flowers of the Fragrant Cloud rose bush begin orange, but as they mature, they transform into a red rose bush with a slightly purple hue.
These roses have a very strong, citrusy aroma.
Fragrant Cloud Flowers are very large (about 6” in diameter) with a high-centered, full-bloom form.
USDA growing zone: 7b through 10b.
8. Futura Rose
Futura rose was bred by William A. Warriner in the United States, before 1974.
| COLOR: Orange-Red | BLOOM SIZE: Large | FRAGRANCE: Moderate Fragrance |
| PLANT SIZE: 5ft | FLOWERING: Repeat Flowering | PREFERRED LOCATION: Full Sun |
Futura roses are hardy to USDA zones 7b and above.
As such, these roses have a preference for warm climates with brief, mild winters.
They are particularly sensitive to frost and will require spring freeze protection in climates that are privy to snow/frost.
In the spring, check with your local weather advisory on the last spring frost date.
We suggest pruning your rose bushes after all threats of spring frost have passed.
USDA growing zone: 7b and warmer.
9. Royal Highness Rose
Royal Highness rose was bred by Swim & Weeks in the United States, in 1962.
| COLOR: Light Pink | BLOOM SIZE: Large | FRAGRANCE: Strong, Tea Fragrance |
| PLANT SIZE: 5ft | FLOWERING: Repeat Flowering | PREFERRED LOCATION: Full Sun |
The Royal Highness roses are beautiful high-centered flowers, but they are also very delicate and should be handled with great care.
This rose does best in hot, dry climates.
Rainfall can cause the petals of the Royal Highness flower to fall off.
If you live in a dry climate that does not experience a lot of rainfall, then we cannot suggest the Royal Highness rose enough!
USDA growing zone: 6b and warmer.
10. Medallion Rose
Medallion rose was bred by William A. Warriner in the United States, before 1972.
| COLOR: Apricot Blend | BLOOM SIZE: Large | FRAGRANCE: Mild, Fruity, Licorice Fragrance |
| PLANT SIZE: 4ft – 5ft | FLOWERING: Repeat Flowering | PREFERRED LOCATION: Full Sun |
Medallion roses are hybrid tea roses with an old-fashioned bloom form.
Each flower of this orange rose bush can contain around 35 to 40 petals.
The roses themselves are very large, with a diameter of 7” across.
You can anticipate the Medallion roses to bloom in flushes throughout the season.
USDA growing zone: 6b through 9b.
Conclusion
In conclusion, long-stem rose bushes are truly a timeless classic that never goes out of style.
With proper care and attention, long-stem rose bushes can bloom for weeks or even months, providing you with a constant reminder of the beauty of nature.
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