Selecting the right types of white roses to use for mixed borders can be difficult. With so many options out there, it’s understandable that many gardeners don’t know where to start.
We make the hard part easy for you by handpicking a selection of 8 different varieties of white roses that will make a beautiful mixed border.
We know choosing the right roses can be difficult, which is why we have compiled this list of 8 types of white roses with your needs in mind. Read on to learn more.
Which Roses Are Best For Borders?
Shrub roses are one of the best types of white roses to use for borders.
Shrub roses are ideal for mixed borders due to their bushy growth, which allows for a nice solid border around your home.
In addition, shrub roses come in a variety of heights, which is perfect if you need a tall or a short border.
8 Best White Roses That Are Perfect For Your Mixed Border
Roses are great plants for both your borders and they’re also popular choices for cutting and arranging.
If you’re looking for the best white roses, here are a few options that are perfect for your mixed border.
1. Poulfeld Rose
Poulfeld rose was bred by L. Pernille Olesen and Mogens Nyegaard Olesen in Denmark, in 1985.
It was introduced in Denmark by Poulsen Roser in 1996, as ‘Gråsten’.
| COLOR: White | BLOOM SIZE: Medium | FRAGRANCE: Mild, Fruity Fragrance |
| PLANT SIZE: 3ft – 4ft | FLOWERING: Repeat Flowering | PREFERRED LOCATION: Full Sun |
Poulfeld roses grow best in moderate climates, being hardy to zones 6b through 9b.
This rose is classified as a floribunda rose, which is the Latin word for “abundant flowers.”
While Poulfelds will produce many roses on their own with no human intervention, you can help maximize your flower yield with some mild pruning.
After each rose begins to die off, snip them immediately.
That way your plant will redirect its energy towards developing new buds, instead of trying to sustain flowers that are already wilted.
The ideal soil type for your roses is one that is fertile and well-draining, yet still moisture-retentive.
2. Katharina Zeimet Rose
Katharina Zeimet rose was bred by Peter Lambert in Germany, in 1901.
| COLOR: White | BLOOM SIZE: Small | FRAGRANCE: Moderate fragrance |
| PLANT SIZE: 1ft – 2ft | FLOWERING: Repeat Flowering | PREFERRED LOCATION: Full Sun |
Katharina Zeimet is a short white bush that excels as either a container plant or in the garden.
Its white flowers contrast nicely with dark green foliage and blooms almost constantly.
The Katharina Zeimet rose is known to attract pollinator insects, such as bees, to the garden. Pollinators are beneficial to all plants, not just your roses.
Katharina Zeimet roses are friendly to a wide range of soil pH levels, which span from moderately acidic to slightly alkaline (5.6 to 7.8).
This is very convenient and saves you the time and energy it would take to perform a pH test on your garden soil.
This rose variety contains an abundance of thorns.
For safety purposes, we strongly recommend that you exercise caution and place your rose bushes in a location where you can keep a watchful eye on any nearby children or pets.
3. Ledreborg Rose
Ledreborg rose was bred by L. Pernille Olesen and Mogens Nyegaard Olesen in Denmark, in 1994.
| COLOR: White | BLOOM SIZE: Medium | FRAGRANCE: None To Mild Fragrance |
| PLANT SIZE: 2ft – 3ft | FLOWERING: Repeat Flowering | PREFERRED LOCATION: Full Sun |
The Ledreborg is a medium white bush that produces very full roses that contain around 50 to 60 petals.
While they are very beautiful, these thick roses tend to trap a lot of excess moisture.
Over time, this moisture can turn into mold, which may spread to the foliage of the plant. To avoid this, we recommend pruning any roses that begin to wilt on the white bush.
In addition, it is always recommended to water your white rose bushes as close to the base as possible.
Overhead watering can increase the risk of fungal-based diseases that affect roses.
4. Winchester Cathedral Rose
Winchester Cathedral rose is a white shrub bred by David C. H. Austin in United Kingdom, in 1988.
This rose was named after one of the finest cathedrals in Britain, Winchester Cathedral.
| COLOR: White | BLOOM SIZE: Medium | FRAGRANCE: Moderate, Sweet Fragrance |
| PLANT SIZE: 4ft | FLOWERING: Repeat Flowering | PREFERRED LOCATION: Full Sun |
The Winchester Cathedral rose is classified as a repeat blooming rose.
In order to ensure that you are getting the highest yield of roses during the season, it is recommended to prune your roses as they start to wilt.
Doing so allows your rose plant to redirect its energy towards developing new buds.
Its white flowers tend to revert to pink.
Another amazing side of the Winchester Cathedral rose is that it is almost thornless and can be used for cutting.
These types of white roses are tolerant of a wide range of climates; they are hardy to zones 5 through 11.
5. White Fairy Rose
White Fairy rose was bred by Gina Martin (New Zealand, 1999).
| COLOR: White | BLOOM SIZE: Medium | FRAGRANCE: Light Frangrance |
| PLANT SIZE: 3ft – 4ft | FLOWERING: Repeat Flowering | PREFERRED LOCATION: Full Sun |
White Fairy rose is a white hardy shrub that flowers from July to September.
This type of white rose is ideal for mixed borders and cut flowers.
When watering White Fairy roses, it is recommended to always water at the base of the plant, avoiding overhead watering.
In addition, wait until the first few inches of soil have dried up before watering your plants again.
If you are unsure that your plants need water, don’t be afraid to stick a finger in the soil to gauge the moisture level!
You may find suckers that grow out from the base of the rose bush. These suckers need to be pruned right below the graft union as soon as you find them.
Also, you should prune any dead or damaged foliage, as well as any canes that are crossing.
After pruning your roses, give them a mulch composed of well-composted manure around the base of the plant.
6. Pure Perfume Rose
Pure Perfume rose was bred by Dr. Keith W. Zary in the United States, before 2003.
It was introduced in the United States by Jackson & Perkins in 2004, as ‘Pure Perfume’.
| COLOR: White | BLOOM SIZE: Medium To Large | FRAGRANCE: Strong, Citrus Fragrance |
| PLANT SIZE: 4ft – 5ft | FLOWERING: Repeat Flowering | PREFERRED LOCATION: Full Sun |
Pure Perfume grows in small clusters with old-fashioned bloom form.
It is a white shrub hardy to zones 6b through 9b.
When transplanting your Pure Perfume roses, it is important to properly space each rose bush apart from the other.
Spacing not only allows the roots to grow uninterrupted, but it provides good air circulation (which prevents fungal diseases). Space your roses 4 to 5 feet apart.
Not only is the Pure Perfume rose the perfect rose type to use for a mixed border, but it is an excellent rose for cutting as well.
Go ahead and cut a few roses off to place in a vase or flower arrangement!
7. Pearl Drift Rose
Pearl Drift rose was bred by Bill Le Grice in United Kingdom, in 1974.
| COLOR: White | BLOOM SIZE: Large | FRAGRANCE: Strong Frangrance |
| PLANT SIZE: 3ft – 4ft | FLOWERING: Repeat Flowering | PREFERRED LOCATION: Full Sun |
The Pearl Drift rose bush is tolerable of all soil types, though, for the best results, we always recommend a soil mixture that is rich in fertile material, well-draining, and moist.
These types of white roses are also tolerable of partial shade conditions.
This is especially helpful if your home is situated in a location that cannot sustain a full days worth of direct sunlight.
8. Madame Hardy Rose
Madame Hardy rose was bred by Julien-Alexandre Hardy in France, in 1831.
| COLOR: White | BLOOM SIZE: Medium | FRAGRANCE: Strong Frangrance |
| PLANT SIZE: 4ft – 6ft | FLOWERING: Once-Blooming | PREFERRED LOCATION: Full Sun |
True to its name, the Madame Hardy rose is tolerable of a wide range of climate types, from moderately cool to hot (hardy to zones 4b through 9b).
These types of white roses are once-blooming roses.
When the roses begin to wilt on the bush, we recommend pruning them in order to avoid roses from developing fungal-based infections that could spread to the main plant.
To the convenience of busy gardeners, the Madame Hardy rose is very resistant to most diseases that would otherwise attack rose bushes.
Conclusion
The perfect complement to anyone’s home is a luscious border of roses.
Even if you’re an experienced gardener, finding the right type of white roses that match your specific needs can prove to be a laborious task.
That’s why it is our pleasure to do the research for you by tailoring this list of 8 white roses for mixed borders.
We also recommend reading:
