Hybrid Tea Roses are not usually known as “easy care roses” – many people think of them at the opposite end of the spectrum – fussy and high maintenance. Thankfully, for all of us who love them, more varieties have been developed with increased disease resistance and better winter hardiness in recent years.
So now, even beginners can enjoy the “Queen of Flowers.” The sheer joy of seeing their exquisite blooms, slowly opening one petal at a time from beautifully formed buds. It doesn’t get much better than that! Sigh.
These beauties are the classic type of rose – a single, exquisite flower on each long stem – excellent for cutting and putting on display. I’m not going to lie to you – they do need more attention than, say, a “knock out” rose or hardy shrub rose.
Hybrid Tea Roses are not reliably winter-hardy plants in my area (Zone 5 – Chicago suburbs), requiring winter protection. Also, they need good cultural practices to keep them healthy. That being said, they are so worth the effort! Don’t be afraid to plant them in your garden.
The positives totally outweigh the minuses with these gorgeous members of the rose family.
Some of the Hybrid Tea Roses
Here are some recommended hardier than average Hybrid Tea Roses (all have been selected by the AARS All-America Rose Selections for their high marks in disease resistance, flower production, color, and fragrance):
1. Elle – Shell Pink color
Strong fragrance combined with high-centered classic rosebuds. Soft but non-fading color contrasts nicely with the dark shiny foliage. Above-average disease tolerance to mildews and black spots. More compact fits well in small gardens or even large containers.
2. Love and Peace – Golden yellow edged with pink
Gorgeous offspring of the legendary “Peace” rose. Love & Peace will mesmerize garden enthusiasts with its fruity scent and looks. The high center, spiral-formed blooms of Love & Peace open to reveal five-inch, breath-taking large flowers of golden yellow edged with pink. This classic upright, disease-resistant, hybrid tea grows to 4-5 feet by 3 feet.
3. Midas Touch – Bright yellow color
Bright, golden-yellow flowers that last till petal drop and seem to be showier since they are constantly carried on top of the plant. Vigorous, free-branching plants with gleaming dark green foliage that complements the blooms nicely. Colorful, disease-resistant, and hardy in a way that most roses of this hue aren’t.
4. Opening Night – Bright red color
You’ll love the brilliant color of Opening Night hybrid tea rose will add to your yard and garden all summer long. The flower color is a clear fire engine red that glows in the sun. You’re going to love cutting the huge roses for enjoying in vases in your home.
Red hybrid tea roses are a classic joy and so magnetic. Opening Night is heat tolerant with a mild fruity fragrance.
5. Tahitian Sunset – Peachy apricot pink with a solid yellow base
Tahitian Sunset brings a touch of paradise to your backyard. This vibrant hybrid tea has beautiful blooms that start as high-centered orange-yellow buds and unfold to a peachy apricot-pink with yellow accents.
The plant produces enormous flowers up to five inches in diameter on 14-16 inch stalks. This wonderfully shaped rose creates a strong center point with its rich color, delicious licorice scent, and semi-glossy leaves.
6. Whisper – Creamy white color
It’s one of the most beautiful white roses to be released in the last ten years. Whisper dazzles the eye with its traditionally shaped creamy white blooms and dark green, semi-glossy foliage. Very resistant to disease, this sophisticated rose is almost never out of bloom and produces long-lasting flowers. Slight musk fragrance.
Hybrid tea roses can be one of the most spectacular additions to your garden. Be aware of their care requirements, and you’ll have beautiful roses to enjoy for years.
