Buying rose plants online is one of the easiest ways to buy healthy, ready-to-plant roses that are just right for your landscape. No matter what your local options may be, with Spring Hill Nurseries, you will always find premium high-quality roses, in a wide selection of varieties to choose from. However, shopping for roses online can be a bit confusing for a first-timer, as rose size and grading vary among nurseries.
Spring Hill Nurseries is proud to provide some of the worlds finest roses, from renowned breeders, in both bare root and potted forms. Lets discuss the various sizes and ways in which our roses are shipped.
Our partners at Weeks Roses harvest over three million roses per year. Following harvesting, their processing staff inspects each rose plant, or grade, to be sold. Any roses that do not meet their stringent quality criteria are discarded. Weeks grading system supports a practice of total transparency and fairness to our customers. Spring Hill only provides our customers with the two highest grades assigned to roses, the #1 and #1.5 grades.
Premium bush roses and tree roses are assigned a Grade #1. These are the highest-quality plants, ready to grow and have an exceptional season in their first year. Each Grade #1 rose has an average of three “flower-ready” canes that will grow in the first season.
Grade #1.5 roses are a smaller classification from grade #1, but still selected with a high degree of quality. Typically marketed at a lower price point, this grade allows Spring Hill to offer our customers a great value for larger landscape applications. Once planted, a grade #1.5 rose will quickly reach the full potential of the variety selected.
Our Jumbo Bare Root roses are large, robust, and ready to provide an incredible number of flowers the very first year in your landscape. These field-grown roses are up to three times the size of a traditional Grade #1 rose, with a whopping six to nine flower-ready canes. These plants are visibly larger, and a dream for gardeners who do not want to wait by providing “instant landscape” pop and flower power. Our Jumbo Bare Root roses are professionally trimmed to optimize the first flush of growth, manifesting in the very best flower development. In the first year, you could see up to fifty percent more flowers on a Jumbo Bare Root rose from Spring Hill, compared to a standard grade #1 rose.
Whats an “ownroot” rose, and how does it compare to a grafted rose? These terms are used when talking about how your rose is produced and how Weeks ensures your success as a budding rosarian. Lets look at the different types of rose roots available.
Budded roses, or grafted roses, are fused to rootstock that is not their own. While the process is heavy on science, its not quite the lab experiment you may think. A scion, or bud, of one rose is attached to the bark of the chosen rootstock, and the two quickly grow together. After the grafting takes place, the roses are well-attached into a single plant. Theres no chance that the roots will fall off, and grafted roses are not more susceptible to root or cane loss than non-grafted roses.
So, why go to the trouble of grafting? Some roses are grown for their beauty or shape but dont have the vigor necessary to survive in some North American climates, or require specialized soil to take root. Weeks mostly uses Dr. Huey rootstock, a stock famous for its ability to thrive in numerous landscapes in a variety of climate regions in North America. These roots allow the rose to perform in a wide range of temperatures, moisture levels and soil conditions.
Roses come in a stunning range of sizes, from petite miniatures to giant exhibition blooms. But what exactly determines the size of a rose? In this guide we’ll explore the key factors that influence rose size walk through the diverse dimensions of different varieties, and provide tips for choosing the perfect rose for your garden.
Key Factors That Determine Rose Size
Several elements impact the ultimate size of a rose flower and plant
-
Genetics – Each rose variety has genetic traits passed down that greatly affect size. The lineage sets a baseline for dimensions.
-
Growing Conditions – Environmental factors like sunlight, soil quality, and water availability influence vigor and size. Optimal conditions can increase bloom size.
-
Cultivation Methods – Techniques that strengthen plants, including proper pruning, fertilizing, and pest control can enhance size.
-
Bloom Stage – Flowers gradually enlarge from tight bud to open bloom then shrink again as they fade. Size peaks at full open flower.
-
Position on Stem – The biggest blooms generally emerge on the tip of the stem. Smaller flowers branch from the sides.
Understanding these dynamics is key to growing robust roses that reach their full potential. Next, let’s overview the diverse dimensions found among different rose types.
An Overview of Rose Sizes
While individual blooms vary, the rose trade classifies varieties into broad size categories based on the diameter of an open flower:
-
Miniature Roses – Dainty blossoms with a diameter of 1 to 1.5 inches on compact 10 to 16 inch plants.
-
Sweetheart Roses – The smallest cut roses with 1.5 to 2 inch diameter blooms. Include most supermarket bouquet roses.
-
Intermediate Roses – Mid-sized blooms measuring 2 to 2.5 inches across.
-
Hybrid Tea Roses – Classic large-headed garden roses with a diameter of 2.5 to 3 inches.
-
Premium Roses – Extra large exhibition-style blooms over 3 inches in diameter.
-
Giant Varieties – Vigorous climbers like ramblers can produce huge 6+ inch blooms.
This range provides diverse options whether you prefer petite pompoms or bold oversized blossoms.
Rose Stem Lengths for Cut Flowers
For cut roses, stem length is also vital. Longer stems naturally garner higher value for arranging. General stem length categories are:
-
Short – Under 12 inches
-
Standard – 16 to 24 inches
-
Long – 24 to 36 inches
-
Extra Long – Over 36 inches
Aim to harvest cut roses when stems reach their fullest length for that variety. Timing matters!
How Size Changes Throughout the Bloom Cycle
It’s important to remember that individual rose blooms are dynamic, changing size throughout their lifecycle:
-
Tight Bud – Petals not revealed, the smallest stage when flowers are cut. Gradually opens over several days.
-
Half-Open Bloom – Partially revealed petals of intermediate size. Lasts 2-3 days.
-
Open Flower – Fully expanded to maximum diameter. Peak size only lasts 1-2 days.
-
Blown Bloom – Outermost petals begin reflexing back as flower fades. Diameter decreases but remains beautiful.
Gardeners and florists should consider purpose when evaluating rose size. Tight buds suit longevity while open blooms work best short-term.
Growth Habits and Sizes
Rose bushes exhibit varied growth habits that significantly influence their dimensions:
-
Bush Roses – Rounded shrubs reaching 2 to 5 feet tall and wide. Offer dense lush foliage.
-
Dwarf Roses – Compact varieties under 1 foot tall, perfect for containers.
-
Climbing Roses – Vigorous vines that can grow 10 to 20 feet tall. Provide vertical appeal.
-
Shrub Roses – Diverse intermediate sizes based on breeding. Range from 2 to 6 feet tall usually.
Selecting roses with growth habits that complement your landscape and design goals is key for a cohesive look.
Achieving the Best Rose Size
To reach their optimal size, roses require:
-
Sun – At least 6 hours of direct sun daily
-
Soil – Moist, well-draining, nutrient-rich soil
-
Water – Consistent moisture, avoid fluctuations in wetness
-
Pruning – Annual pruning maintains desired size and shape
-
Fertilizer – Regular feeding provides nutrients for growth
With proper cultivation techniques, your rose bushes can thrive and achieve full, healthy size.
Finding the Perfect Rose for You
When selecting roses, consider your space constraints, design goals, and personal preferences on size. Miniatures are perfect for tight areas, giant climbers provide drama, while shrub roses offer flexibility. Take your time and choose varieties with dimensions and growth habits that complement your landscape. Then apply proper care methods to help your roses reach their ideal sizes.
With hundreds of diverse options, you can find the perfect rose to fulfill your garden vision. Just remember to evaluate each variety’s expected mature size and growth habits during your selection process. A little planning goes a long way to creating a stunning and seamless rose garden design.
Supermarket Bud Size (Intermediate Roses)
Intermediate roses are commonly called the Supermarket Range Roses. These have a head size ranging from 4 to 5 cm and can fully blossom to reach a size of 5.5 cm. These roses are classified and known as the “European head size”.
Bud Sizes of Roses Depend on the Variety of the Rose
One thing to take into consideration, which is obvious to rose growers, and the trade, is the fact that the bud sizes of roses are mostly dependent on the variety of the rose. It can vary between different growing circumstances, but the flowers from one variety planted in one area will give about the same bud size of flowers. So, all the flowers from one variety planted at a specific farm in Ecuador will have about the same bud size. The reason most roses from Ecuador have larger buds is because of the growing circumstances. In general, the higher the altitude, the slower roses grow, and the more time they have to become bigger. Thicker stems, with bigger leaves, and larger flowers.
A specific variety grown at low altitude in Kenya for example will be much smaller than grown at high altitude in Ecuador. But they will have the same classification in the four different sizes in roses.
Size Matters! Revealing How Big Are My Pots! David Austin Roses!
FAQ
What is the average size of a rose?
-
Rosaholicshttps://rosaholics.comThe Meaning Behind The Length Of The Roses – RosaholicsShort Stemmed Roses Short stemmed roses are a very common type of rose sold in stores around the world. Standard short stemmed roses are usually around 15.75 in…
What is the size of a normal rose?
Standard rose varieties typically reach a height of 2 to 5 feet and spread out to about 2 to 4 feet wide. Popular examples include hybrid tea roses and floribunda roses, which are favored for their stunning blooms and robust growth.
What size are standard roses?
Standard Roses are a variation of the normal bush rose grafted at a height of 90cm or 60cm. They can create a formal appearance if planted in a row or as a feature in garden beds. They can also be grown in large tubs on the veranda. The head of the standard can vary in shape.
Is rose size small or big?
Rose plants range in size from compact, miniature roses to climbers that can reach seven meters in height. Different species hybridize easily, and this has been used in the development of the wide range of garden roses.