Growing Thornless Roses For Your Garden

Contrary to Seal’s popular lyrical sentiment, every rose does not have to have its thorn. Planting rose varieties in your garden that are specifically thorn-free is a great way to get the best of both worlds: a beautiful rose garden and no sharp thorns to worry about. 

Roses with no thorns are rare, but they can grow thorns under certain growing conditions. Thornless roses are the result of a natural genetic mutation that then results in a chimera, which is at least two different genetically different layers growing side by side inside of a plant. The plant cells that are related to thorn growth are found in the skin of the stem. Inside of the stem, however, the plant still produces thorn-growing chemicals. If it were not for the chimeral skin preventing thorn growth, the thorns would still appear. Thornless roses generally appear within the same few rose types but are not limited to those types. 

Climbing Thornless Roses

Climbing thornless roses are recognizable for their long, elegant cranes that can be strung along a fence (Or trellis, if you are looking to live out a Juliet fantasy). Climbing thornless roses are notably featured in traditional English gardens. 

This type of rose has several different varieties. For example, the James Galway Climbing, the Mortimer Sackler Climbing, and The Generous Gardener are all climbing thornless rose varieties that are English roses that bloom double pink flowers. The Lady Bank variety of climbing thornless rose produces yellow double blooms with a mild floral fragrance during springtime. 

Climbing thornless roses do best in full sunlight and well-draining soil. Many climbing thornless roses offer improved disease resistance and are easier to care for than their shrub rose cousins. This variety comes in so many different brilliant colors and fragrance levels, brightening and sweetening any garden space. 

Repeat bloomers can produce rose blooms all summer long. Some varieties can even continue to flower until late fall. Be sure to take into account your ideal final growth size, as some plants can climb up to fourteen feet tall and can spread up to ten feet wide. 

Hybrid Tea Roses 

Hybrid Tea Roses are described as 95 to 100% thorn-free. This rose variety can grow anywhere from three to eight feet high. The Smooth series of hybrid tea rose varieties all have a fruity fragrance. They come in many different colors. Smooth Satin and Smooth Delight hybrid tea roses both bear peachy-pink double flowers. Smooth Lady produces medium pink double flowers, and Smooth Prince bears deep rose red double flowers, and Smooth Velvet flowers are more magenta toned. Smooth Ballerina has red flowers that have streaks of pink and white. 

The Oceana Hybrid Tea Rose can grow from three to six feet high. They are popular features for floral arrangements. This variety grows in a peachy apricot color that can be tough to find, which is why it is such a beloved choice. Oceana Hybrid Tea Roses are popular for bridal bouquets for spring weddings and Easter holiday gatherings. This variety originates from South America. 

Hybrid Tea Roses are very disease-resistant and hardy. They are recognized as one of the most popular rose varieties to grow in a home garden for their high stemmed elegance and high-centered beautiful blooms. The upright canes usually appear bushy and are known for carrying large flower heads. This rose variety comes in a wide spectrum of vibrant colors and is perfect for being admired from a distance.

Tausendschön 

Tausendschön roses originated in the early 1900s. Able to grow eight to twelve feet high, these flowers emit a light, mild fragrance from large, medium-pink roses that bloom in bunches. The flowers have a whitish center. This type of rose is almost thornless and flowers during the summer months. It is recognizable for its glossy foliage. This rose is a total showstopper. In fact, the English translation of this rose is “Thousand Beauties.” The cane produces bloom clusters that are in a variety of shades at the same time, which is a truly spectacular floral vision to behold. 

The Tausendschön is perfect for growing along a fence or up a pillar. It can reach about ten to twelve feet high. The canes are pliable and easy to train to grow however you desire. This particular variety should be grown where it can have good air circulation, as that is important to its overall health. 

Irene Marie Miniature Roses 

The Irene Marie Miniature Roses can grow from four to six feet high. This variety produces bright and vibrant yellow petals with zesty orange edges. These are easy to care for and completely thornless. For those who are sensitive to fragrance, these roses are totally smell-free. 

These roses were first introduced in 2006. They are resistant to mildew, black spots, and rust. Irene Marie Miniature Roses are known to bloom on wood. Pruning these flowers early will promote new flower growth. 

Climbing Pinkie Polyantha Rose 

If you are looking for garden flowers that perpetually bloom, look no further than the Climbing Pinkie Polyantha Rose. This plant produces an abundance fragrance from its bountiful and full pink semi double flower blooms from early summer all the way until wintertime. It grows from six to eight feet high, which makes it absolutely perfect for growing along a fence or wall. 

These flowers are compact and disease-resistant, which makes them ideal for borders, hedges, or as a ground cover. This variety should be grown in fertile and moist soil in full sun or partial shade. Air circulation will ensure plant health, and removing withered leaves will help prevent disease. Hard pruning in late winter or early spring is needed for optimal blooming health. 

Outta The Blue Shrub Rose 

The Outta The Blue Shrub Rose is a fragrant shrub plant that blooms beautiful magenta-colored flowers, although their color is susceptible to change depending on the climate and season. It is a hardy, tough plant that has been known to survive droughts and poor soil conditions. The hues of purplish-pink are so detailed and nuanced that it can feel like photography does not properly do it justice. All of this color is set against a deep green foliage background. 

This rose variety produces a strong clove and floral scent. These are known for being disease-resistant and provide an easy solution for a landscape conundrum. Their easy care makes them an ideal candidate for any novice rose gardener. They can grow from four to six feet high, free-flowering and vigorously stunning with their carefree elegance. 

Lykkefund 

The Lykkefund rose grows very tall, up to 18 to 20 feet high. The name Lykkefund translates to “Lucky Find” and will deliver a lot of flowers. This variety produces creamy white blooms that have a yellow and pink tint. Make sure you have enough space in your garden before planting these flowers—you will need it! These flowers are known to bloom once in late spring and early summertime. The Lykkefund rose originates from Denmark in the early 1930s and is completely thornless.

The flowers bloom in medium-sized clusters and have a free and wild spirit with strong, bush-like growth. The creamy tones are striking against their deep green and glossy foliage background and are completely thornless. 

Bleu Magenta 

The Bleu Magenta rose flower originated in France in the 1930s. The Bleu Magenta is a rambling rose that is known for its changing color spectrum of flower blooms. This plant's roses change from violet to blue to dark purple. Interestingly, the Bleu Magenta flowers appear pink during their first two years of blooming. The petals transition to their signature purple as the plant matures. These roses have over forty petals per flower. 

This rose can grow up to eighteen feet high. The height and cane flexibility of the Bleu Magenta makes this variety perfect for covering buildings, various garden structures, and rambling through trees. 

In Conclusion 

Everyone loves roses, but not everyone wants to risk accidentally pricking their finger while gardening. No matter how careful you are, accidents can still happen. These thornless roses will keep your hands from getting scratched and your garden awe-stoppingly beautiful. Thornless roses are perfect for a child-friendly garden or a public garden space. These flower varieties vary in shape, color, and height, but all share the similarity of being prickle-free. 

Sources:

What Are Thornless Roses? | SFGate

21 Best Thornless Roses You Can Grow | List Of Thornless Roses | Balcony Garden Web