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best rose bushes

Finding the best rose bushes for your New Zealand garden can transform your outdoor space with stunning colour, beautiful fragrance, and season-long blooms. From classic hybrid teas to blousy floribundas and elegant shrub roses, there's a perfect rose bush to suit every gardener’s style and every corner of your garden. Whether you’re after show-stopping display roses, hardy performers, or unique colours, choosing the best rose bushes means considering flower form, disease resistance, and how well the plant suits your specific location.

Rhododendron 'Java Rose' rose-pink flowers.

Rhododendron 'Java Rose'

Rhododendron 'Java Rose' is a beautiful evergreen shrub known for its large trusses of soft rose pink flowers that appear during spring. The elegant blooms sit above lush dark green foliage and create a stunning display in New Zealand gardens. This variety is well suited to sheltered positions and woodland style landscapes. Rhododendron 'Java Rose' is reliable and easy to grow, making it a popular choice for adding colour and structure to garden borders.

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate
Plant type: Shrubs
Height: 1.20 m
Spread: 1.20 m
Flowering time: Spring
Garden uses: Living areas, Pool areas
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Rock, Tropical
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 until autumn. The foliage comprises small-sized, dark green leaves which provide a lovely backdrop to the flowers. This deciduous plant typically grows to 1 m tall and the same wide. Rose Diamonds Forever is commonly included in a mixed or border planting, included in a courtyard or cottage garden, maintained in a container, or included anywhere the beauty and fragrance can be appreciated.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Rose Plants
Height: 1.00 m
Spread: 1.00 m
Flowering time: Spring, Summer, Autumn
Garden uses: Borders, Living areas, Paths & Steps
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Cottage, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern
teucrium-fruticans-
Teucrium fruticans (Bush Germander)

Teucrium fruticans (Bush Germander) is a hardy evergreen shrub admired for its attractive silvery foliage and soft blue flowers that appear through...

From$18.95
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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$44.09
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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$35.81
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$38.57
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$38.57
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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$29.95
rose-flower-carpet-gold--1
Rose Flower Carpet Gold

Rose Flower Carpet Gold is a popular ground cover rose that features masses of showy, yellow flowers. Flowering begins in spring and will continue...

From$34.43
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$38.57
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Rose Flower Carpet Scarlet

Rose Flower Carpet Scarlet is a ground cover rose that features masses of showy, scarlet red flowers. The flowers are complemented with glossy, dark...

From$33.81
White flowers on a Cistus 'Snowmound' plant with green foliage.
Cistus 'Snowmound' (White Rock Rose Plant)

Cistus ‘Snowmound’ is a compact evergreen shrub that produces a breathtaking display of pure white flowers with golden-yellow centres from late...

From$24.77
weigela-wine-and-roses-2
Weigela 'Wine And Roses'

Weigela 'Wine and Roses' is a striking deciduous shrub renowned for its rich burgundy purple foliage and masses of vibrant rosy pink trumpet shaped...

From$25.53
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Rose Flower Carpet Pink

Rose Flower Carpet Pink features large trusses of semi-double, pink flowers. Flowering begins in spring and continues until autumn provided the spent...

From$34.43
camellia-japonica-red-red-rose-3
Camellia 'Red Red Rose'

Camellia 'Red Red Rose' is a striking evergreen shrub known for its rich red blooms that bring bold colour and elegance to New Zealand gardens...

From$32.95
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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$30.29
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$24.77
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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$30.29
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$22.95
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$38.57
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$26.91
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Viburnum opulus Sterile

Viburnum opulus 'Sterile' (Snowball Bush) is a stunning deciduous shrub admired for its large rounded clusters of pure white flowers that resemble...

From$27.53
Rose 'Felicite Perpetue' double, white flowers on a scrambing shrub.
Rose 'Felicite Perpetue

Rose 'Felicite Perpetue' is a beautiful rambling rose prized for its clusters of soft blush white flowers and graceful arching growth. This classic...

From$26.91
Dodonaea viscosa purpurea shrub with colourful, purple foliage growing an an informal hedge.
Dodonaea viscosa purpurea (Purple Hop Bush)

Dodonaea viscosa purpurea, commonly known as Purple Ake Ake, features lush, purple leaves which are held densely off upright stems. The foliage is...

Rosa banksiae 'Lutea' growing on a pergola and featuring masses of stunning yellow flowers.
Rosa banksiae 'Lutea' (Banksia Rose)

Rosa banksiae 'Lutea' (Yellow Banksia Rose) is a stunning climbing rose admired for its masses of soft yellow double flowers produced in spring. This...

From$30.29
Lagerstroemia 'Best Red' red flowers amidst dark purple foliage.
Lagerstroemia 'Best Red'

Lagerstroemia ‘Best Red’ is a standout crepe myrtle prized for its intense red summer flowers and strong upright tree form. Flowering through the...

From$323.65
Clerodendrum ugandense (Blue Butterfly Bush) blue flowers.
Clerodendrum ugandense (Butterfly Bush)

Clerodendrum ugandense, commonly known as the Blue Butterfly Bush, is an open, sprawling evergreen shrub favoured for its lovely masses of blue...

From$37.19
Buddleia fallowiana 'Lochinch' purple flower cluster amidst lush grey foliage.
Buddleia 'Lochinch'

Buddleia ‘Lochinch’ (Butterfly Bush) is a fast growing deciduous shrub admired for its long sprays of soft lavender blue flowers and silvery green...

From$23.39
streptosolen-jamesonii-
Streptosolen jamesonii (Marmalade Bush)

Commonly known as the Marmalade Bush, this is an evergreen shrub grown for its colourful flowers. It produces bell-shaped, yellow-orange flowers at...

From$27.53
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Rose Fertiliser

Roses respond exceptionally well to rose fertiliser with better quality flowers and foliage, stronger stems, and a much healthier and brighter...

From$13.40
super-shield-rose-spray-1
Super Shield Rose Spray – 1 Litre

This multipurpose spray is designed to control most common pests and diseases that affect roses. That includes blackspot, aphids, rust, powdery...

From$156.96
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Iris Rose Queen (Japanese Water Iris)

“Rose Queen” is a variety of Japanese Water Iris that produces spectacular flowers. The showy, two-tone pink blooms are borne atop sturdy stems in...

From$27.53
Rhododendron 'Java Rose'

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Helleborus, iceberg-roses, and Rhododendron, or related Categories - Perennials, Bush Roses, and Carpet Roses.

Search best rose bushes

How to Choose the Best Rose Bushes

Selecting the best rose bushes starts with understanding your growing conditions. Consider sun levels, soil type, and how much space you can dedicate to your new roses. Most roses thrive in six hours or more of sunlight and appreciate rich, well-drained soil. Think about what you want from your rose bush: is scent important? Do you want repeat blooms, or are you seeking a standalone focal point with knockout flowers? Many of the best modern rose varieties offer outstanding disease resistance, prolific flowering, and compact growth—making them especially rewarding for New Zealand gardeners.

Top Picks: Best Rose Bushes for Kiwi Gardens

Our nursery is proud to offer a curated selection of the best rose bushes, handpicked for reliability and beauty in New Zealand conditions. The Rose Diamonds Forever is highly sought after for its sparkling, creamy-white blooms and robust form—perfect for a romantic cottage garden or urban retreat. For something with an eye-catching twist, Rose Strawberry Blonde delights with its unique blend of apricot, pink, and yellow hues, providing a modern twist to classic garden beds.

If you love roses with a little extra character, Rose Ginger Kisses offers glorious, apricot to copper shaded blooms and a strong perfume that draws pollinators as well as compliments. Looking for even more variety? The gorgeous Hemerocallis Rose Cherub (Rose Daylily) makes a beautiful companion to rose bushes, echoing rich pink tones and boosting seasonal interest. And if you’re after shrubs to layer in texture and interest, the Rhododendron 'Java Rose' is a must-add for its lush foliage and subtly tinted blooms.

Expert Tips for Healthy Rose Bushes

Caring for your best rose bushes is easy with a few expert tips. Prune your roses in late winter or early spring to encourage new growth and more blooms. Feed with a specialty rose fertiliser in spring and again in midsummer for lush foliage and flowers. Regular deadheading keeps the plant tidy and encourages repeat flowering. Remember to water deeply at the base to prevent fungal issues and mulch well to retain soil moisture and deter weeds.

Bring Home the Best Rose Bushes

Choosing the best rose bushes is the first step to a more beautiful, fragrant garden. From elegant, time-tested varieties like Rose Diamonds Forever to distinctive modern options such as Rose Strawberry Blonde and Rose Ginger Kisses, our nursery is committed to helping Kiwis find the ultimate roses for every landscape. Add companions such as Hemerocallis Rose Cherub (Rose Daylily) and Rhododendron 'Java Rose' for year-round colour and texture. Your perfect rose bush awaits—start planting today and enjoy the rewards for years to come.


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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