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 ‘Eureka’

Class: Floribunda, modern cluster flower
Parentage: ‘Bernstein Rose’ x ‘Sun Flare’
Sun: Full sun
Height: 4’
Spread: 3-4’
Growth Habit: Upright and spreading
Bloom Color: Golden apricot, tinged copper
Flower Form: Semi double
Flower Size: Medium, 4”

Petal Count: 30-35
Bloom Season: Spring through summer, repeating
Fragrance: Little or none
Stem: Medium, 12’14”
Foliage: Glossy dark green
Disease Resistance: Exceptional
Soil: Enriched well drained
Hardiness: zones 5-10

‘Eureka’ blooms in a golden yellow color with hints of apricot and copper. Pointed buds give way to large clusters that hold their color well. Warmer weather will intensify the color. It is an abundant bloomer with exceptional repeat. The offspring of ‘Sunflare’ and ‘Berensteinrose’, ‘Eureka’ is a sturdy and vigorous floribunda. It is a Kordes (hybridizer Wilhelm Kordes) rose which are known for their disease resistance. ‘Eureka’s’ spreading habit lends itself to mass planting and hedging, really anywhere in the landscape this cheerful rose is enchanting. Mass plantings will take full advantage of rich color, making an eye catching impact. Blooms display the classic exhibition form with perfectly spiraled centers, and is stunning cut flower. ‘Eureka’ can often be found as a standard.

Floribunda ‘Europeana’

Class: Floribunda, modern cluster flower
Parentage: ‘Ruth Leuwerik’ x ‘Rosemary Rose’
Sun: Full sun
Height: 4’
Spread: 2-3’
Growth Habit: Low growing, upright and rounded
Bloom Color: Dark velvet red
Flower Form: Semi double
Flower Size: Medium, 2 - 3 1/2”
Petal Count: 25-30
Bloom Season: Repeating, mid-spring to early fall
Fragrance: Light tea fragrance
Stem: Short, 5-10”
Foliage: Bronze green
Disease Resistance: Average disease resistance, somewhat susceptible to mildew
Soil: Enriched well drained, does not like alkaline soil
Hardiness: zones 5-10

‘Europeana’ is an extraordinary floribunda. Dense clusters of rich red blooms literally cover the foliage, regular flushes appear throughout the season. A shame since the foliage itself is a lustrous bronze to reddish green maturing to deep green. ‘Europeana’ is a very popular rose, and for good reason. You won’t find a better red bloom, spectacular flushes all season, and a vigorous and hardy rose. It is well suited for landscaping or hedging, in a shrub border or as bedding roses. Exceptionally long lasting blooms on the plant and in the vase, make excellent cut flowers. This rose performs very well in heat. ‘Europeana’ is hardy in zone 5 (to -30 F) with minimal winter protection of heavy mulching.

Floribunda ‘French Lace’

Class: Floribunda, modern cluster flower
Parentage: ‘Dr. A.J. Verhage’ x ‘Bridal Pink’
Sun: Full sun
Height: 3’
Spread: 2-3’
Growth Habit: Upright and bushy
Bloom Color: Ivory apricot blend
Flower Form: Fully double in large clusters
Flower Size: Medium, 3 1/2-4”
Petal Count: 30-35
Bloom Season: Late spring, repeating in summer
Fragrance: Mild fruity
Stem:
Foliage: Glossy dark green
Disease Resistance: Very good resistance
Soil: Enriched well drained
Hardiness: zones 6-10

The bloom coloring of ‘French Lace’ is quite unique. The buds first open to a creamy ivory with a peachy cocoa color in the center. The overall bloom color is an off white, but the rose will often be tinged with a creamy pink or peachy cocoa overall. ‘French Lace’ is very free flowering with a spring flush, then another in summer. In mild regions an additional late summer flush may occur. Blooms display the classic exhibition form with perfectly spiraled centers and fully open to an urn shape, and is stunning cut flower. It was hybridized by the legendary Bill Warriner, and has become a classic. ‘French Lace’ is not fond of pruning, so go lightly. Remove dead, damaged or crossed canes in very early spring. Limit cane length pruning to tip pruning if necessary rather than removing one third of the can length. The plant is well branched with an open habit, resisting powdery mildew and rust. Holds up quite well in hot humid regions to zone 10. ‘French Lace’ is not reliably winter hardy in zone 5 and will require moderate protection.

Floribunda ‘George Burns’

Class: Floribunda, modern cluster flower
Parentage: ‘Calico’ x ‘Roller Coaster’
Sun: Full sun
Height: 3-4’
Spread: 2-3’
Growth Habit: Shrubby, rounded and compact
Bloom Color: Multicolored yellow, red, pink and cream
Flower Form: Double
Flower Size: Large
Petal Count: 30-35
Bloom Season: All season, free-flowering
Fragrance: Strong citrus
Stem: Medium
Foliage: Glossy dark green
Disease Resistance: Somewhat susceptible to blackspot
Soil: Enriched well drained
Hardiness: zones 5-10b

‘George Burns’ displays an ever changing array of splashy yellow, deep red, pink and cream on large ruffled flowers. Each petal, bloom and plant displays a little different arrangement of color, making this a very fun rose in your garden. The rose was named, of course, for the comedian George Burns on his 100th birthday. In cooler climates the blooms may be more yellow. In hottest climates, color may wash out some. The plant is very free flowering. ‘George Burns’ should typically be sold as own root, making it fairly hardy. In zone 5 it may need some protection from hard freezing. Use moderate protection methods in zone 4.

Floribunda ‘Honey Perfume’

Class: Floribunda, modern cluster flower
Parentage: AROfres x HARrooney
Sun: Full sun
Height: 3-4’
Spread: 2’
Growth Habit: Upright, compact
Bloom Color: Apricot Yellow
Flower Form: Double
Flower Size: Medium 4”
Petal Count: 30
Bloom Season: Repeating, all season

Fragrance: Strong honey/spice scent
Stem: Medium 14-18”
Foliage: Dark glossy green
Disease Resistance: Very good resistance to powdery mildew, black spot and rust
Soil: Enriched well drained
Hardiness: zones 6-9, zones 4 and 5 with proper winter protection

Rich apricot yellow ruffled blooms mature to a creamy white. Large open clusters are produced all summer from May until frost, repeating quickly. A vase of cut ‘Honey Perfume’ will fill a room with a sweet spicy scent. New foliage is reddish, opening to dark glossy green. Some shade will be tolerated, but performs best in full sun. It will also tolerate heat fairly well. The well branched plant has an upright habit more typical of tea roses, and is generally grown own root making it a very hardy floribunda. Minimal winter protection is necessary in zone 5. ‘Honey Perfume’ will do well in zone 4 with moderate protection.

Floribunda ‘Hot Cocoa’

Class: Floribunda, modern cluster flower
Parentage: ‘Playboy’ x ‘Altissimo’
Sun: Full sun
Height: 3-4’
Spread: 3-4’
Growth Habit: Rounded, bushy
Bloom Color: Smoky chocolate
Flower Form: Double
Flower Size: Medium-Large, 4-6”
Petal Count: 25-30
Bloom Season:
Fragrance: Moderate old rose scent, slightly fruity
Stem: Medium, 14-18”
Foliage: Dark reddish green
Disease Resistance: Very good
Soil: Enriched well drained
Hardiness: Zones 5-10

Stunning and unique color in large clusters of silky ruffled blooms. Everyone who describes the color has a bit different description: cinnamon; cocoa; spicy chocolate; brown red; brick; or rusty orange with purple tones. And the reverse side of the petal will display yet another color!, generally tending more orange. But the color will in fact be slightly different in different climates, lighter in warm regions and deeper colored in cool regions.. And the color will change slightly as the season progresses. Even the foliage is unique with dark, somewhat reddish green leaves.

The classic exhibition rose form, spiraled centers opening to the classic urn shape of a tea rose, repeats blooming in flushes with a fast repeat. ‘Hot Cocoa’ is a vigorous grower with good disease resistance. It is quite tolerant of heat, holding its color well through summer. ‘Hot Cocoa’ is an own root rose, giving it good tolerance to cold climates. Minimal winter protection will be necessary in zone 5, moderate protection will keep it doing well in zone 4. Widely available as a tree rose. Stunning as a cut flower lending striking contrast to most other roses and perennials.

Floribunda ‘Julia Child’

Class: Floribunda, modern cluster flower
Parentage: (‘Voodoo’ x ‘R. soulieana’) x ‘Summerwine’ x ‘Topnotch’
Sun: Full sun
Height: 3’
Spread: 3-4’
Growth Habit: Rounded, bushy
Bloom Color: Butter gold
Flower Form: Old fashioned, very full double
Flower Size: Medium, 3 1/2”
Petal Count: 35
Bloom Season: Free flowering, spring through summer
Fragrance: Strong sweet licorice
Stem: Medium, moderately thorny
Foliage: Very glossy green
Disease Resistance: Excellent disease resistance
Soil: Enriched well drained
Hardiness: Zones 5-10, zone 4 with moderate winter protection

Hybridized by Tom Carruth, this English style floribunda was specifically chosen by Julia Child herself for her named rose. The plant is perpetually in bloom, covered in abundance with fully petaled old fashioned English rose blooms. ‘Julia Child’s’ blooms are exhibition form, with perfectly spiraled centers opening to a vase form, and is a stunning cut flower. The buds first open to a deep golden yellow with bright overtones, then soften to pastel butter. A yellow bloom this exquisite is hard to find. The clusters are self cleaning, dropping petals to the ground as they are spent. The plant is well branched, stays tidy and rounded, also lending itself beautifully to a tree form. Or plant in containers for your patio or entryway so the delicious fragrance from the nonstop blooms can be appreciated. Excellent choice for nearly any landscape setting where a small statured blooming plant is needed. A grade 1 ‘Julia Child’ is often difficult to find and you may need to order a year in advance. (Beware the “big box” roses, a grade 2 rose will forever be a grade 2 rose!) This floribunda rose is heat tolerant and resists fading. It is hardy enough to tolerate zone 4 if well protected in winter.

Floribunda ‘Lime Sublime’

Class: Floribunda, modern cluster flower
Parentage: ‘Sexy Rexy’ x ‘Dawn Chorus’’
Sun: Full sun
Height: 3-4’
Spread: 3-4’
Growth Habit: Upright and shrubby
Bloom Color: Creamy chartreuse-lime
Flower Form: Double
Flower Size: Small to Medium, 3-4”
Petal Count: 25
Bloom Season: Repeating, late spring to frost
Fragrance: Slight
Stem: Heavily thorned
Foliage: Leathery dark green
Disease Resistance: Good resistance
Soil: Enriched well drained
Hardiness: Zones 5-10

If you are looking for something really unique for bloom color, ‘Lime Sublime’ fits the bill. The creamy petals have a hint of lime and blooms endlessly. Flowers are borne in small clusters. Remove spent bloom to encourage additional blooming. With excellent parentage, ‘Sexy Rexy’ x ‘Dawn Chorus’, the blooms display exhibition form with perfectly spiraled centers opening to vase form. ‘Lime Sublime’ performs very well in both heat and humidity. Excellent cut flower, bedding plant or in masses. Luminous when the garden is lit at night.

Floribunda ‘Livin Easy’

Class: Floribunda, modern cluster flower
Parentage: ‘Southhampton’ x ‘Remember Me’
Sun: Full sun
Height: 2 1/2 - 5’
Spread: 2 - 6’
Growth Habit: Upright and bushy
Bloom Color: Orange, apricot and yellow blend
Flower Form: Double
Flower Size: Medium, 3 1/2”
Petal Count: 25-30
Bloom Season: Late spring or early summer, followed by scattered blooming
Fragrance: Mild sweet citrus
Stem: Short to Medium, heavily thorned
Foliage: Semi-glossy green
Disease Resistance: Very good resistance
Soil: Enriched well drained
Hardiness: Zones 6-10, zone 5b with spring freeze protection

Small clusters of vibrant orange blended blooms are fully double with ruffled blooms. Masses of blooms in the spring flush create an absolutely stunning mass planting. Repeat blooming is quick and scattered through the season, but is a much lighter flush than the first spring bloom period. The blooms are long lasting, extending the “in bloom” periods. Shorter stems do not lend themselves as well to cut flowers as many of the floribundas, but the long lasting blooms are great if you can work a short stem into an arrangement.

This rose is easy to grow, demanding less attention than many floribundas. Growth and blooming are pretty consistant, performing well in both the cold and hot regions. ‘Livin Easy’ grows vigorously and can reach mature height even in cold regions of zone 5. Like most floribundas, ‘Livin Easy’ can be hardy up to zone 5b if the plant is protected from spring freezes, and is hardy in zone 4 and 5a with proper winter protection. This is also an excellent container rose in zones 7 and warmer where winter protection is not required. ‘Easy Going’ is the yellow sister of ‘Easy Livin’.

Floribunda Rose ‘Mardi Gras’

Mardi-Gras-Floribunda-Rose-blooms-by-Midwest Gardening.jpg

Class: Floribunda Modern Cluster Flower
Parentage: ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ x unknown seedling
Sun: Full sun
Height: 4 feet
Spread: 2 1/2 feet
Growth Habit: Upright and well branched
Bloom Color: Pink, orange and yellow blend
Flower Form: Fully double classic tea form
Flower Size: 4”
Petal Count: 20-25
Bloom Season: Early to late summer
Fragrance: Spicy peppery fragrance
Stem: Long, 16-20”
Foliage: Semi glossy dark green leaves
Disease Resistance: Good disease resistance
Soil: Enriched, loamy, well drained
Hardiness: Zone 5 - 9

Mardi-Gras-Floribund-Rose-by-Midwest Gardening.jpg

‘Mardi Gras’ blooms are certainly as flamboyant as Mardi Gras itself. Pointed ovoid buds are orange and open to reveal yellow based petals that blush to orange and finish in bright pinks. As the blooms mature the color intensifies. The flowers form a large flat cluster of brilliant color. It does very well in all regions with very little care. ‘Mardi Gras’ is upright and columnar, a good choice for an accent plant, rose hedge or in mixed borders and beds. With long strong stems to hold large clusters of blooms, it is also an excellent cut flower that will make a stunning statement in a vase.

Floribunda ‘Margaret Merril’

Class: Floribunda, modern cluster flower
Parentage: (‘Rudolph Timm’ x ‘Dedication’) x ‘Pascali’
Sun: Full sun
Height: 4-5’
Spread: 2-4’
Growth Habit: Upright and full
Bloom Color: White
Flower Form: Semi double
Flower Size: Large, 4”
Petal Count: 28
Bloom Season: Repeating, late spring to frost
Fragrance: Strong fragrance, spicy citrus/lemon
Stem: Short to medium
Foliage: Dark glossy green, large leaves
Disease Resistance: Excellent disease resistance, somewhat susceptible to blackspot.
Soil: Enriched well drained
Hardiness: Zones 6b-10b

‘Margaret Merril’ is probably the best white floribunda rose, with high centered blooms like a tea rose. Very similar to the very popular ‘Iceberg’ rose, except that the blooms are very fragrant and it grows larger. Pearly white pointed buds open to double white blooms with a slight pink sheen in the centers. As the season gets warmer the blooms are pure white. Even with a shorter stem, the exceptional fragrance earns a place for this rose in your cut flower arrangement. The plant grows vigorously and blooms profusely. The plant sets hips in late summer. ‘Margaret Merril’ does very well in cool regions. In zone 5, provide minimal winter protection and protect from spring freezes. In zone 4 provide moderate winter protection.

Back to Index