More Floribunda Roses - Midwest Gardening

Many floribunda roses are pretty hardy in zone 5, requiring only minimal winter protection. For a little extra care, floribunda roses will reward you with abundant clusters of colorful blooms all season long. A floribunda rose will generally be more vigorous and tolerant than hybrid tea roses, and also produce more blooms for longer periods.

Floribunda ‘Marmalade Skies’

Class: Floribunda, modern cluster flower
Parentage: ‘Tamango’ x ‘Tchin’-Tchin’
Sun: Full sun
Height: 2 - 3’
Spread: 2-3’
Growth Habit: Compact and rounded
Bloom Color: Orange
Flower Form: Double
Flower Size: Medium, 3”
Petal Count: 17-25

Bloom Season: Continuous, early summer to fall
Fragrance: Mild
Stem: Medium
Foliage: Medium olive green
Disease Resistance: Very good
Soil: Enriched well drained
Hardiness: Zones 6-10

‘Marmalade Skies’ is a show stopper, unquestionably stunning. Absolutely gorgeous orange blooms in tea rose form cover the bush non stop. Clusters are formed by 5 to 8 blooms, and the stems are strong to support the bouquet. Long lasting blooms make it an excellent cut flower as well as an ever-blooming hedge or specimen plant. Will tolerate some shade, but performs best in full sun. The olive green foliage is a perfect foil for the brilliant orange of ‘Marmalade Skies’. This rose is flamboyant, vigorous and healthy, and easy to grow. Plant if anywhere, or everywhere! Provide minimal winter protection in zone 5, moderate in zone 4. Also known as ‘Tangerine Dream’.

Floribunda ‘Miami Moon’

Class: Floribunda, modern cluster flower
Parentage: (‘Voodoo’ x Rosa soulieana derivative) x ‘Impatient’
Sun: Full sun
Height: 2 1/2 6’
Spread: 2 -3’
Growth Habit: Compact, rounded
Bloom Color: Apricot pink
Flower Form: Very double
Flower Size: Very large, 5-6”
Petal Count: 30-35
Bloom Season: Repeating, from late spring or early summer
Fragrance: Mild spicy fragrance
Stem: Medium
Foliage: Dark glossy green
Disease Resistance: Good resistance
Soil: Enriched well drained
Hardiness: Zones 6-10

‘Miami Moon’ produces very large blooms of ever changing apricot to pink. The ruffled petals are mildly scented. ‘Miami Moon’ repeats reliably. Although the blooms are best in milder climates, as suggested by the name, this rose is commonly grown in Florida and warm regions. The plant and blooms are very tolerant of heat, but the blooms will tend to be deeper in color in moderate temperatures. The blooms are very long lasting, making an excellent cut flower. ‘Miami Moon’s’ bush grows low and compact. Flowers must be religiously deadheaded for the blooming to repeat. Hips are set in late summer. Also known as ‘Evelyn Lauder’.

Floribunda ‘Moondance’

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Class: Floribunda, modern cluster flower
Parentage: ‘Brite Lites’ x ‘Iceberg’
Sun: Full sun
Height: 5’
Spread: 4’
Growth Habit: Upright, well branced
Bloom Color: Creamy white
Flower Form: Double
Flower Size: Large, 3 1/2-4”
Petal Count: 25-30
Bloom Season: Repeating
Fragrance: Moderate, sweet fruity fragrance
Stem: Long, 14-18”
Foliage: Very glossy, dark green
Disease Resistance: Very good resistance to mildew, blackspot and rust
Soil: Enriched well drained
Hardiness: Zones 5-10

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‘Moondance’ is an offspring of the wildly popular ‘Iceberg’, but is even more floriferous and fragrant. It really is more everything - larger flower clusters, larger blooms and more petals. Just more beautiful in every way. Pointed buds open to high centered flowers, becoming flat when fully opened. ‘Moondance’ blooms in flushes throughout the season. The plant is healthy and grows vigorously. ‘Moondance’ is a superb floribunda for cutting with its long stems and sweet fragrance. Will do very well in zone 4 with moderate winter protection, zone 5 will require minimal to moderate protection.

Floribunda ‘Our Lady of Guadalupe’

Class: Floribunda, modern cluster flower
Parentage: ‘Love Potion’ x ‘Sweet Inspiration’
Sun: Full sun
Height: 3-4’
Spread: 2-2 1/2’
Growth Habit: Compact
Bloom Color: Silvery pink
Flower Form: Double

Flower Size: Medium/Large, 3-4”
Petal Count: 20-25
Bloom Season: Continuous, early summer to frost
Fragrance: Light, sweet
Stem: Medium/Long, 12-14”
Foliage: Dark green
Disease Resistance: Very disease resistant
Soil: Enriched well drained
Hardiness: Zones 5-9

‘Our Lady of Guadalupe’ is highly rated across all regions. It seems to be quite tolerant of drought, heat, a little to wet for roses, and is very disease resistant. Dark pink pointed buds open slowly to silvery pink ruffled blooms, and is a prolific continuous bloomer all summer long. The first early season bloom is heaviest but repeats vigorously. The large bloom clusters display a range of color from deep pink in the buds to the silver pink highlights in the petals. The blooms are high centered in classic hybrid tea form. A nice compact shape makes it ideal for the front of a shrub border. Stems are long enough to be graceful in a vase. ‘Our Lady of Guadalupe’ is a ‘Rose with a Cause’. 5% of its sales are donated to the Hispanic College Fund scholarships.

Floribunda ‘Playboy’

Class: Floribunda, modern cluster flower
Parentage: ‘City of Leeds’ x (‘Chanelle’ x ‘Picadilly’)
Sun: Full sun
Height: 2 1/2 - 4’
Spread: 2-4’
Growth Habit: Upright, rounded
Bloom Color: Red, orange, yellow blend
Flower Form: Semi double
Flower Size: Medium 3 1/2”

Petal Count: 9-16
Bloom Season: Repeating, late spring into fall
Fragrance: Faint, sweet apple
Stem: Thorned
Foliage: Glossy, dark green
Disease Resistance: Very resistant
Soil: Enriched well drained
Hardiness: Zones 6b-10

‘Playboy’s’ beautiful blooms are nearly single in form. Many do, in fact, consider it a single since typically the blooms have less than 12 petals. The petals are a blend of red yellow and orange, with yellow primarily in the center, and red edging each ruffled petal. Late spring produces an abundant bloom, then quickly repeats in lighter flushes. ‘Playboy’ holds its color well through the hot periods of summer, and in fact displays its most vivid colors in the hotter regions. ‘Playboy’ does well with some shade, but performs best in full sun. When the flowers are spent, the petals drop cleanly to the ground. Deadheading will encourage additional bud and bloom production rather than hips. Hips are set in late summer. ‘Playboy’ does well in zone 5 with moderate winter protection. Also known as ‘Cheerio’ rose.

Floribunda ‘Pretty Lady’

Class: Floribunda, modern cluster flower
Parentage: ‘Sunblest’ seedling x R. davidii elongata
Sun: Full sun
Height: 2-3’
Spread: 2-3’
Growth Habit: Rounded
Bloom Color: Creamy white blushed peachy pink
Flower Form: Fully double

Flower Size: Large, 4”
Petal Count: 25
Bloom Season: Continuous, June to autumn
Fragrance: Slight
Stem: Medium
Foliage: Semi glossy dark green
Disease Resistance: Very disease resistant, highly resistant to black spot
Soil: Enriched well drained
Hardiness: Zones 5-10

‘Pretty Lady’ blooms heavily like an ‘Iceberg’. The flushes repeat regularly with blooms as large as 4”. Blooms are a classic tea rose form born in large clusters. ‘Pretty Lady’ is a tough plant that is highly resistant to black spot. A strong root system make this rose hardy and vigorous, and the plant is compact and nicely rounded. The soft color is elegant in a romantic garden or lovely paired with deeper tones. Fuss free, spray free, and easy to grow. Will do well in zone 4 with moderate winter protection.

Floribunda ‘Rainbow Sorbet’

Class: Floribunda, modern cluster flower
Parentage: ‘Playboy’ x ‘Earthsong’
Sun: Full sun
Height: 5’
Spread: 4’
Growth Habit: Upright to rounded
Bloom Color: Bright yellow, orange and red
Flower Form: Semi double

Flower Size: Medium, 3-3 1/2”
Petal Count: 15-18
Bloom Season: Continuous, early June through autumn
Fragrance: Strong
Stem: Long
Foliage: Glossy dark green
Disease Resistance: Very disease resistant, highly resistant to blackspot
Soil: Enriched well drained
Hardiness: Zones 5-9

‘Rainbow Sorbet’ is a descendant of ‘Playboy’, inheriting its multicolor blooms. This will be your first rose to bloom in the garden, brightly ushering in spring. Flower clusters open in shades of bright yellow, orange and red and mature to light yellow and pink, often with bright pink edges. ‘Rainbow Sorbet’ is a nonstop bloomer through the entire season, making a bold statement of bright colors.

The color does not fade in moderate climates, but ‘Rainbow Sorbet’ is not fond of extreme heat. The flowers are very long lasting, wonderful in a vase. Excellent wherever you want a splash, or a mass, of riotous color. It is much hardier and tougher than ‘Playboy’. Will not need protection in zone 5, and does very well in zone 4 with moderate winter protection.

Floribunda ‘Scentimental’

Class: Floribunda, modern cluster flower
Parentage: ‘Playboy’ x ‘Peppermint’
Sun: Full sun
Height: 3-4’
Spread: 3’
Growth Habit: Upright, bushy
Bloom Color: Burgundy red and white blend
Flower Form: Double
Flower Size: Large, 4 3/4”
Petal Count: 17-25
Bloom Season: Repeating, late spring to frost
Fragrance: Strong, old rose/spice fragrance
Stem: Medium
Foliage: Glossy dark green
Disease Resistance: Somewhat resistant, susceptible to blackspot
Soil: Enriched well drained
Hardiness: Zones 6-9

‘Scentimental’ is an eye catcher with red and white in splashes and stripes. Each bloom is unique, some appearing to be creamy white splashed with burgundy red, others appear to be red and swirled or striped with creamy white. Parented by ‘Playboy’ and ’Peppermint Twist’, you can see how wild and splashy blooms were created. The flowers are borne singly or in clusters of three to five blooms per stem. The spring flush of blooms is heaviest with the fall flush also heavy, and lighter flushes repeat through summer. But it may not bloom when heat is intense. Fragrance is inconsistent from one plant to another. With blooming and fragrance inconsistent, plant ‘Scentimental’ for its fabulous looking blooms in old fashioned cup shaped form. ‘Scentimental’s’ splashy coloring makes a spectacular statement with white flowers or planted in front of evergreens for added impact. Will do well in zone 5 with moderate winter protection.

Floribunda ‘Sexy Rexy’

Class: Floribunda, modern cluster flower
Parentage: ‘Seaspray’ x ‘Dreaming’
Sun: Full sun
Height: 2-3’
Spread: 2’
Growth Habit: Upright, compact
Bloom Color: Creamy Pink
Flower Form: Fully double
Flower Size: Small to Medium, 2 1/2”
Petal Count: 30-40
Bloom Season: Repeating
Fragrance: Mild
Stem: Medium
Foliage: Glossy dark green
Disease Resistance: Very good resistance
Soil: Enriched well drained
Hardiness: Zones 6b-10

‘Sexy Rexy’ may have acquired its name by way of some silly marketing concept, but it does not do the rose justice. This is a lovely and elegant rose. Gorgeous bloom form has lead this rose to parent many other varieties, and ‘Sexy Rexy’ has been awarded multiple time. Very full ruffled blooms are borne in large clusters. Blooming repeats throughout the season and the blooms are long lasting, so the plant is continuously in bloom. The plant is very healthy and vigorous. Foliage remains dense to the ground giving it a pleasant appearance when not in bloom. The compact low profile makes it an excellent bedding plant. ‘Sexy Rexy’ is a New Zealand rose and seems to perform best in warmer regions.

Floribunda ‘Sheila’s Perfume’

Class: Floribunda, modern cluster flower
Parentage: ‘Peer Gynt’ x (‘Daily Sketch’ x ‘Paddy McGredy’ x ‘Prmia Ballerina’)
Sun: Full sun
Height: 2 1/2 - 4’
Spread: 2-3’
Growth Habit: Upright, rounded
Bloom Color: Yellow and red blend
Flower Form: Fully double, classic hybrid tea form
Flower Size: Large, 4-5”
Petal Count: 20-25
Bloom Season: Repeating
Fragrance: Strong
Stem: Long, heavily thorned
Foliage: Glossy green
Disease Resistance: Very disease resistant, somewhat susceptible to powdery mildew
Soil: Enriched well drained
Hardiness: Zones 5-9, perhaps zone 4

Every beautiful bloom exudes a wonderful fragrance, hence the name ‘Sheila’s Perfume’ (Sheila is the hybridizer’s wife, what a tribute!!). The scent is a blend of spice rose and sweet fruity. The flowers are yellow blushed and edged with deep pink to red, and a hybrid tea rose exhibition form and size. Blooms may be borne singly as well as small clusters. Mid summer sun and heat will fade the petal’s colors to a softer blend. The long lasting flowers with long stems are wonderful for cut flower arrangements. Blooming is a bit light for a floribunda, but ‘Sheila’s Perfume’ has so many hybrid tea qualities it is tempting to compare to the much stingier blooming of the tea rose. Blooming begins in late spring, repeating to mid autumn. The plant is rounded and vigorous. Skip the spraying, if the plant is afflicted with mildew or blackspot it will not completely defoliate. You can allow mild disease affliction to run its’ course. ‘Sheila’s Perfume’ will tolerate some shade, but performs best in full sun in cooler regions. Also known as ‘Harsherry’ rose. This is a very hardy rose, and rumored to survive zone 4 with only snow cover for protection. At least minimal protection would be advised, since snow cover is unpredictable. Severe pruning, sometimes near to the ground, may be necessary in spring in zone 4. Caution!!: ‘Sheila’s Perfume’ is generally sold grafted, so if the plant dies back to the ground you will lose the hybrid, and an unknown rose will grow from the rootstock. Search for own root in zone 4, hard to find but they are available.

Floribunda ‘Sun Flare’

Class: Floribunda, modern cluster flower
Parentage: ‘Sunsprite’ x seedling
Sun: Full sun
Height: 2-3’
Spread: 2 1/2’
Growth Habit: Bushy and spreading
Bloom Color: Lemon yellow
Flower Form: Double
Flower Size: Medium, 3”
Petal Count: 27-30
Bloom Season: Repeating, mid spring through mid fall
Fragrance: Mild licorice
Stem: Medium
Foliage: Dark green
Disease Resistance: Good disease resistance
Soil: Enriched well drained
Hardiness: Zones 6-10

‘Sun Flare’ was appropriately named form its’ vivid lemon yellow blooms that do not fade out in summer sun and heat. The double flower opens flat when mature. Blooming is heavy, but absolutely must be deadheaded for a good rebloom. The compact, rounded form is excellent for low hedges, specimen, foundation or bedding plants. The lemon color is stunning with lavender and blues. ‘Sun Flare’ is cold hardy enough to withstand occasional frosts and freezes in mild regions, but will need moderate winter protection in zone 5, and minimal protection is suggested in zone 6.

Floribunda ‘Sunsprite’

Class: Floribunda, modern cluster flower
Parentage: ‘Friedrich Worlein’ x ‘Spanish Sun’
Sun: Full sun
Height: 2 - 2 1/2’
Spread: 2’
Growth Habit: Bushy
Bloom Color: Deep Yellow
Flower Form: Double
Flower Size: Medium, 3”
Petal Count: 17-25
Bloom Season: Repeating, late spring to frost
Fragrance: Strong licorice
Stem: Long, 14-18”
Foliage: Glossy medium green
Disease Resistance: Very disease resistant
Soil: Enriched well drained
Hardiness: Zones 6 - 11

Yellow and red oval buds open to bright yellow ruffled blooms in clusters. ‘Sunsprite’ blooms abundantly from late spring until frost. But the blooming peaks quickly and the blooms are not long lasting. Color will not fade much in summer sun and heat. ‘Sunsprite’ has good disease resistance, when it does develop some blackspot or mildew the health of the plant is not affected. Red hips are formed in late summer. Will do well in zones 4 and 5 with adequate winter protection.

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