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best thornless roses

If you're searching for the best thornless roses to add elegance to your New Zealand garden without the hassle of prickly thorns, you're in the right place. Thornless and nearly-thornless rose varieties bring the beauty and fragrance of classic roses, but are much safer and easier to handle—especially in family gardens or along walkways. In this guide, we’ll introduce some of the top thornless roses available, highlight their special features, and help you select the perfect variety for your landscape.

Rosa banksiae 'Alba' growing on a pergola and featuring masses of stunning white flowers.

Rosa banksiae 'Alba' (Banksia Rose)

5 from 3 customers

Rosa banksiae 'Alba' (White Banksia Rose) is a spectacular climbing rose prized for its masses of small pure white flowers produced in spring. This vigorous thornless rose is ideal for covering large structures and creates a stunning seasonal display in New Zealand gardens. Its lush green foliage and graceful habit suit both traditional and cottage style landscapes. Once established it is long lived reliable and makes an impressive feature plant.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Rose Plants
Height: 3.00 m
Spread: 3.00 m
Flowering time: Spring, Summer, Autumn
Garden uses: Arches, Banks, Living areas, Parks, Specimen
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, White
Rosa banksiae 'Lutea' growing on a pergola and featuring masses of stunning yellow flowers.

Rosa banksiae 'Lutea' (Banksia Rose)

5 from 1 customers

Rosa banksiae 'Lutea' (Yellow Banksia Rose) is a stunning climbing rose admired for its masses of soft yellow double flowers produced in spring. This vigorous thornless rose creates a spectacular seasonal display and is ideal for covering large structures in New Zealand gardens. Its lush green foliage and graceful habit suit cottage traditional and heritage landscapes. Long lived and reliable this rose makes an impressive feature once established.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Rose Plants
Height: 8.00 m
Spread: 8.00 m
Flowering time: Spring, Summer, Autumn
Garden uses: Arches, Banks, Living areas, Parks, Specimen
Garden styles: Backyard, Frontyard, Japanese
rose-violet-serenity-

Rose Simplicity Violet Serenity

“Violet Serenity” is a magnificent small, shrub rose owing to its colourful display of bright pink flowers. The showy blooms are borne as clusters...

From$33.08
Portulaca Pazzaz Yellow plant with beautiful yellow flowers.

Portulaca Pazzaz Yellow (Yellow Portulaca)

Portulaca Pazazz Yellow, commonly known as the Moss Rose plant, is a low-growing perennial with fabulous flowers. Showy, yellow flowers are produced...

From$26.93
hemerocallis-rose-cherub--2

Hemerocallis Rose Cherub (Rose Daylily)

Hemerocallis Rose Cherub is a variety of the commonly known, Day Lily, and features very showy flowers. The large and showy, rose-pink flowers are...

From$22.88
portulaca-pizzaz-sunset-

Portulaca Pazzaz Sunset (Moss Rose Plant)

Portulaca Pazazz Sunset, commonly known as the Moss Rose plant, is a low-growing perennial with fabulous flowers. Bright orange and yellow flowers...

From$25.58
canna-cannova-rose-

Canna Cannova Rose

Canna Cannova Rose carries large and glossy, dark green leaves which are held upright and have a gentle arch. Stems rise above the foliage from late...

From$22.88
helleborus-english-thoroughbred-

Helleborus English Thoroughbred Series (Winter Rose)

Helleborus 'English Thoroughbred' is a graceful winter-flowering perennial that features soft pink blooms with subtle green undertones. This variety...

From$24.23
rose-diamonds-forever-

Rose Diamonds Forever

Rose Diamonds Forever is a popular shrub rose that features masses fragrant, soft-yellow flowers. The showy blooms emerge in spring and continue...

From$63.38
Purple flowers on Burgundy Iceberg Rose.

Rose 'Burgundy Iceberg'

Rosa ‘Burgundy Iceberg’ is a stunning floribunda rose producing masses of deep burgundy-red, lightly fragrant blooms from spring through autumn. Its...

From$56.63
Rose 'Flower Carpet Red' ground cover with masses of red flowers.

Rose 'Flower Carpet Red'

Rose 'Flower Carpet Red' is a popular ground cover rose valued for its rich red flowers and outstanding disease resistance. This tough rose performs...

From$33.68
Rose 'Flower Carpet Mini Cherry' plant with masses of red flowers growing in a pot on a patio.

Rose 'Flower Carpet Mini Cherry'

Rose 'Flower Carpet Mini Cherry' is a compact ground cover rose valued for its masses of vibrant cherry red flowers and exceptional disease...

From$33.68
rose-blackberry-nip-

Rose Blackberry Nip

The Blackberry Nip Rose is a captivating hybrid tea rose known for its deep purple blooms and delightful fragrance. Ideal for adding a touch of...

From$56.63
An informal hedge of 'Iceberg' rose plants with masses of white flowers.

iceberg-roses iceberg-roses

Rosa ‘Iceberg’, one of the world’s most popular roses, is a reliable floribunda variety producing masses of pure white, lightly fragrant blooms from...

From$29.63
rose-raspberry-ice-5

Rose Raspberry Ice

“Raspberry Ice” is a Floribunda shrub rose that features large and showy flowers that are cream with a raspberry coloured margin. The lightly...

From$56.63
chaenomeles-double-take-orange-

Chaenomeles Double Take Orange (Flowering Quince)

Chaenomeles Double Take Orange is a flowering Quince that features masses of orange flowers from late winter. At this time the shrub is an arching...

From$26.93
gaura-steffi-dark-rose-

Gaura Steffi Dark Rose

Gaura ‘Steffi Dark Rose’ is a striking perennial featuring deep rose-coloured flowers on slender stems. Blooming from spring through autumn, it adds...

From$24.23
climbing-rose-albertine-

Rose Albertine

Rose Albertine is a climbing rose featuring very showy, salmon-pink flowers. The highly fragrant blooms emerge in spring and continue until autumn...

From$56.63
Helleborus orientalis with colourful pink flowers.

Helleborus orientalis (Lenten Rose)

Helleborus orientalis, commonly known as Lenten Rose, is a hardy perennial prized for its elegant winter and early spring blooms. Flowers appear in...

From$20.18
camellia-japonica-red-red-rose-3

Camellia Red Red Rose

Camellia Red Red Rose produces beautiful, double, bright red flowers. These spectacular blooms appear from winter through spring and blend nicely...

From$37.73
Rose 'Desiree' pink flowers.

Rose 'Desiree'

Rose 'Desiree' is a beautifully refined rose known for soft pastel blooms, gentle fragrance and repeat flowering through the warmer months in New...

From$63.38
rose-strawberry-blonde-

Rose Strawberry Blonde

“Strawberry Blonde” is a popular shrub rose that features masses fragrant, apricot and peach-coloured flowers. The showy blooms emerge in spring and...

From$63.38
Rose 'Flower Carpet White' plants for sale at The Plant Company nursery.

Rose 'Flower Carpet White'

Rose 'Flower Carpet White' is a popular ground cover rose valued for its masses of pure white flowers and exceptional disease resistance. This tough...

From$29.63
cistus-pink-ice-

Cistus Pink Ice (Pink Rock Rose)

Cistus Pink Ice, commonly known as Pink Rock Rose, is grown for its pretty flowers which have a paper like appearance. It bears masses of pink...

From$24.23
rose-ginger-kisses--2

Rose Ginger Kisses

Rose Ginger Kisses is a popular shrub rose that features gorgeous, burnt orange flowers. The fragrant blooms emerge in spring and continue until...

From$56.63
An exquisite flower on 'White Romance' Rose.

Rose White Romance

“White Romance” is a very popular shrub rose that features masses pure white flowers. The showy blooms emerge in spring and continue until autumn...

From$56.63
weigela-wine-and-roses-2

Weigela Wine And Roses (Wine & Roses Weigela)

Weigela Wine and Roses is grown for its foliage and flowers. This deciduous, compact shrub produces small and burgundy-coloured leaves which are held...

From$24.98
Cistus 'Brilliancy' plant with pink flowers and green foliage.

Cistus 'Brilliancy' (Rock Rose)

Cistus ‘Brilliancy’ is a vibrant evergreen shrub celebrated for its striking crimson-pink flowers, each with a yellow centre, blooming profusely in...

From$24.23
rose-ann-turner-climbing-

Rose Ann Turner

Rose Ann Turner is a climbing rose that features masses of double, pink flowers. The blooms emerge in spring and continue until autumn provided the...

From$33.68
Lavender 'Sensation Rose' shrubs with bright pink flowers in a garden.

Lavender 'Sensation Rose'

Lavender 'Sensation Rose' is a vibrant lavender variety adored for its rich rose coloured blooms and aromatic grey green foliage. Flowering from...

From$24.98
climbing-rose-cecil-brunner-1

Rose Cecil Brunner

Rose Cecile Brunner is a climbing variety that produces masses of mid-sized, double, light pink flowers. The flowers are borne in large, loose...

From$29.63
An elegant Cistus lusitanicus white flower with red spots.

Cistus lusitanicus (Rock Rose)

Cistus lusitanicus, commonly known as the Gum Cistus, is a striking evergreen shrub valued for its large, white blooms marked with deep crimson spots...

From$24.23
Rosa banksiae 'Alba' (Banksia Rose)

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Camellia, Canna, Chaenomeles, Cistus, Gaura, Helleborus, Hemerocallis, iceberg-roses, Lavender, Portulaca, Rosa Rose and Weigela, or related Categories - Perennials, Bush Roses, Carpet Roses, Climbing Roses Deciduous Shrubs and Evergreen Shrubs.

Search best thornless roses

Why Choose Thornless Roses?

Thornless roses offer all the charm of their spiny counterparts, but with smooth canes that are easier to prune, train, and enjoy up close. They’re perfect for high-traffic areas, hedge borders, and for homes with children or pets. Many varieties also boast outstanding disease resistance and resilience, making them a favourite for low-maintenance gardening.

Top Picks: Best Thornless Rose Varieties

When it comes to the best thornless roses, a few stand out for their beauty, reliability, and ease of care. Here are some customer favourites, ideal for planting across New Zealand.

Crepuscle Rose (Crepuscule Rose)

The Crepuscle Rose (Crepuscule Rose) is a beloved semi-double climber with apricot-yellow blooms and minimal thorns. This vigorous, repeat-flowering rose shines in cottage gardens, spilling beautifully over arches and pergolas. Its light fragrance and soft colouring make it a popular choice for romantic garden schemes.

Rosa banksiae 'Lutea' (Banksia Rose)

Celebrated as one of the best thornless roses, Rosa banksiae 'Lutea' (Banksia Rose) delivers cascades of small, double yellow flowers in spring. Almost completely thornless, this vigorous climber is perfect for covering fences or large trellises, and is tough-as-nails in a range of New Zealand conditions.

Rosa banksiae 'Alba' (Banksia Rose)

If you prefer pure white blooms, Rosa banksiae 'Alba' (Banksia Rose) is another outstanding thornless variety. This fast-growing, maintenance-free rose produces clouds of white, lightly-scented blossoms and is ideal for sprawling over verandahs or large supports.

Rose Black Jade

For something dramatic, Rose Black Jade offers near-thornless stems and deep, velvety-red blooms with a true wow-factor. Its tidy growing habit and repeat blooming make it a standout in both borders and containers for those seeking an easy-care, unique rose.

Rose Simplicity Violet Serenity

For a splash of unusual colour, Rose Simplicity Violet Serenity is another top pick. This variety produces clusters of violet blooms on nearly thornless canes, perfect for modern landscapes or low hedging.

Growing and Caring for Thornless Roses

Thornless roses thrive in sunny, sheltered spots with well-drained soil. To get the best performance from your roses, enrich the planting site with compost, mulch annually, and water during dry spells. Minimal pruning is required for most thornless types, making them ideal for beginner gardeners or those seeking a low-maintenance display.

Find the Perfect Thornless Rose for Your Garden

Choosing the best thornless roses brings style, safety, and scent together—without compromising on classic charm. Browse our collection of top-performing, nearly thornless varieties and let your garden flourish with beautiful, easy-care roses this season.


Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

–The Plant Company

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