Roses are stunning flowers that have captivated people worldwide for centuries with their exquisite beauty, enchanting fragrance, and profound symbolism. These delicate blooms hold great significance in various cultures and occasions, from romantic gestures to celebratory events.
This article aims to unravel a brief history of the modern rose breeding, exploring its intriguing journey through time. Moreover, we will delve into popular rose varieties that have proven their resilience and flourished in Calgary’s unique climatic conditions, offering florists and gardeners a glimpse into the world of these magnificent floral marvels.
The Rise of Modern Rose Breeding
Modern rose breeding techniques started being developed in the 18th century in Europe, mainly by horticulturists who wanted to make new and better varieties of roses. Their efforts were driven by botanists as well as by their love for flowers. The first major discovery was when repeat-flowering roses appeared. Before this, roses only bloomed once a year.
Rose breeding took another big step in the 19th century with the use of hybridization. Hybridizing many different species created hybrids that had never existed before and could have any desired traits. These traits could be anything from color or fragrance to disease resistance. During this time, Jean-Baptiste Guillot (France) and David Austin (England) were two pioneers in this field who made significant contributions towards moving it forward.
Popular Rose Varieties in Calgary
The climate in Calgary, Canada serves as an ideal location for growing different kinds of roses. From the tough, bushy types to the gentle, climbing ones, the gardens in Calgary have them all and they thrive well in this area. So here are some of the most common species of roses that beautify the Calgary landscapes.
Floribunda Roses
Floribunda roses are famous for having lots of pretty flowers that grow in bunches. Florists in Calgary really like these roses because the flowers come in many bright and beautiful colors. These roses bloom all through the warmer months, making gardens look nice and cheerful. Floribunda rose bushes are short and round-shaped, which is good for Calgary’s weather. They keeps giving you new flowers from spring until fall.
You can find floribunda roses in shades of red, pink, yellow, white, and more. Having so many colorful blooms makes a garden look bright and lively. It’s like having a constant parade of rose blossoms!
Hardy Shrub Roses
Hardy Shrub Roses can withstand the city’s cold winters and changing weather. These tough roses grow strong stems and branches. They don’t need a lot of care, so they bloom beautifully year after year with little effort. Hardy shrub roses come in many different colors and scents. They make any garden or outdoor area look lovely and full of life.
Explorer Roses
Explorer roses are special kinds of roses. They were developed to grow well in very cold places like Calgary. Even when it gets really cold, these roses can survive. They are strong and tough. Gardeners in Calgary like them because they don’t need much care and still erupt beautiful. Their pretty petals show that plants can grow even in tough weather. They bloom and stay lovely no matter what.
Grandiflora Roses
Grandiflora roses are adored for their graceful beauty and impressive size blooms. These magnificent flowers produce showy blossoms that look elegant and sophisticated. They add a luxurious touch to any garden or outdoor space. Typically, they grow tall with an upright growth habit thereby grabbing the attention of people and creating a striking visual impact in any outdoor area.
These elegant roses are a sight to behold with their large, eye-catching blooms. Their petals are velvety soft and come in a wide range of stunning colors. From deep, rich reds to delicate pastels, grandiflora roses bring a burst of vibrant hues to your landscape. Their exceptional size makes them stand out and demand admiration.
Climbing Roses
Climbing roses are beautiful plants that grow long vines and lovely flowers. Gardeners in Calgary love these roses because they can be grown on walls, fences, or trellises. These roses climb upwards and their blooms hang down in a pretty way. Climbing roses are a wonderful choice as they grow well in the local climate. The vines and flowers of these roses create a romantic and charming look in outdoor spaces. Gardeners who want to make their gardens more attractive often choose to grow climbing roses.
Climbing roses come in many different varieties with various colors and flower shapes. Some popular kinds are the Eden rose with its pink blossoms, the Golden Showers rose with its bright yellow color, and the Fourth of July rose with red and white striped petals.
John Davis
The John Davis rose is a resilient and vigorous variety that is highly popular among florists in Calgary. These hardy shrub roses produce abundant clusters of beautiful, vibrant pink blooms that add a lovely pop of color to garden landscapes. With its disease-resistant foliage and long-lasting flowers, the John Davis roses thrive exceptionally well in Calgary’s climate conditions. It brings joy and beauty to outdoor spaces year after year with its stunning blooms and hardy nature.
The John Davis Rose is renowned for its exceptional ability to withstand various environmental challenges. It is tolerant to cold temperatures and can survive harsh winters without much trouble. This rose variety is also resistant to many common plant diseases, making it a low-maintenance choice for gardeners. Its foliage remains lush and healthy throughout the growing season.
Modern Blush
Modern Blush roses are stunning flowers adored for their gorgeous soft pink hues. These beautiful blooms add a delicate, romantic touch to gardens. Modern Blush roses grow in lovely clusters. The petals have a graceful, elegant look that creates a dreamy atmosphere. The foliage is tough, resisting diseases well. So the flowers last a long while enhancing outdoor spaces. Florists in Calgary often choose these timeless roses for their charming and sophisticated style.
Concluding Remarks
Roses have captivated enthusiasts for centuries with their beauty, fragrance, and symbolism. Their breeding took place in the 18th century and since then, humans discovered an extensive variety of roses. In Calgary, where the climate can be challenging for gardening, a wide variety of roses are grown which we have mentioned in this guide. Locals can use these high-breed varieties of roses on many different occasions for celebration and honorary purposes.