Collection: Rose Trees

What is a rose tree?

Rose trees or Tree Roses, sometimes called "grafted standard roses," look just as their name implies. These are floribunda, grandiflora, climbing or hybrid tea roses grafted to tall trunks to give the look of a tree. Although this sounds a bit surgical, the result is spectacular. Tree roses lift some of our best cutting roses off of the ground, creating vertical interest in the garden and a stately, near-eye level display of color. For gardeners who experience snail and slug damage, tree roses can be a wonderful solution. And, at two to three feet taller than standard roses, tree roses are easy to tend and cut.

How long does a rose tree bloom?

Tree roses can bloom just as long as the hybrid, floribunda, or other favorite roses from which they're created. Created by some of the finest growers in the world, many of our tree roses bloom from spring to fall, creating lots of color through the full growing season.

How much sun does a tree rose need?

Tree roses require full sunlight, preferably at least six to eight hours per day. However, they perform best when the trunk is not exposed to all-day direct sunlight. Consider planting your tree roses near other, lower perennials to offer a bit of protection to the stem, and give it a little relief from sunscald.

What is the difference between a rose bush and a rose tree?

The term "rose bush" can include any number of roses, such as shrub roses, rose of Sharon, or simply full, bushy Floribunda and Grandiflora roses. "Rose tree" is not actually a type of rose, but a method of growing roses. Tree roses, or "standard roses" are created by grafting a rose plant to a taller stem, lifting it off the ground and giving the impression of a tree.

Can a rose tree survive winter?

Most tree roses are hardy to zone 4-not too different from hybrid roses. Because these are grafted roses, their trunks can be susceptible to cold damage, especially in windy conditions. Plant your tree roses in a spot protected from high winds, and mulch around the base of the tree in winter.

How deep are rose roots?

Most roses grown with "own roots," meaning, well, their own roots, grow about three feet into the soil. Grafted roses have been attached to roots that grow a bit quicker, and are a little more hardy, than own-root roses. These tend to grow deeper into the soil, and to have a wider spread.

What kind of roots do roses have?

Roses are grown from taproots, meaning that they have one main root that grows downward, drilling through the soil as the root grows. This is typically the strongest, woodest root that you'll see on a rose plant. As the plant grows, it develops additional tap roots, and lots of fibrous "side roots," which may grow into other taproots. The woodier roots anchor the rose to the ground, while fibrous roots help the plant absorb water and nutrients from the soil.

Do roses have a large root system?

Roses tend to have wide-reaching root systems, with smaller roots developing into thick taproots as the plant grows. Taproots anchor the plant, and are important for water absorption. However, the smaller, fibrous roots of the plant are also vital to the absorption of nutrients and the ongoing health of the rose. If you need to transplant roses, try to keep plenty of both types of roots intact.

How big do tree roses get?

Tree roses are grafted to trunks available in two sizes, typically two feet or three feet. The roses themselves will grow taller, above those grafted trunks. At this height, the blooms are truly visible, and they're easy to cut and care for, too.