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best rose varieties

Roses are beloved across New Zealand gardens for their breathtaking blooms, rich fragrances, and outstanding versatility in landscaping. Choosing the best rose varieties for your own garden can be a delightful adventure, whether you seek classic beauty, robust disease resistance, or striking colour combinations. In this guide, we highlight some of the best rose varieties for easy care and stunning garden displays, sharing tips on selecting the right types to suit your site, climate, and personal taste.

Elegant orange flower on Rose 'Tequila Sunrise'

Rose 'Tequila Sunrise'

Rose 'Tequila Sunrise' is a dazzling floribunda rose admired for its brilliant yellow petals edged boldly in red, creating a fiery sunrise effect. This standout rose flowers repeatedly through the warmer months, bringing vibrant colour and a touch of elegance to New Zealand gardens.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Rose Plants
Height: 1.20 m
Spread: 1.20 m
Flowering time: Spring, Summer, Autumn
Garden uses: Containers, Living areas
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Modern
Rose 'Violet Serenity' flowers amidst dark green foliage.

Rose 'Violet Serenity'

Rose 'Violet Serenity' is an elegant flowering rose prized for its violet toned blooms, healthy foliage, and long flowering season. The flowers are produced freely from spring through autumn and create a refined seasonal display in New Zealand gardens.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Rose Plants
Height: 1.00 m
Spread: 75 cm
Flowering time: Spring, Summer
Tolerances: Hardy
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern
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$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
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$34.43
rose-diamonds-forever-
Rose 'Diamonds Forever'

Rose 'Diamonds Forever' is an elegant garden rose that brings beautiful blooms, a neat bushy habit, and repeat seasonal interest to NZ gardens. It is...

From$44.09
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
helleborus-english-thoroughbred-
Helleborus 'English Thoroughbred Series' (Winter Rose)

Helleborus 'English Thoroughbred Series' is a premium evergreen perennial valued for its elegant winter and early spring flowers and attractive year...

From$29.95
Rose 'Flower Carpet Pink' stunning pink flowers.
Rose 'Flower Carpet Pink'

Rose 'Flower Carpet Pink' is a low growing ground cover rose loved for its masses of clear pink flowers, spreading habit, and dependable garden...

From$34.43
An exquisite flower on 'White Romance' Rose.
Rose 'White Romance'

Rose 'White Romance' is an elegant garden rose with beautiful white flowers that bring a fresh timeless look to NZ gardens. Its neat bushy habit and...

From$38.57
A large cabbage tree growing on a ridge.
Rose 'Lavender Jewel'

Rose 'Lavender Jewel' is a stunning hybrid tea rose admired for its exquisite lavender blooms and strong, sweet fragrance. Each perfectly formed...

From$30.29
climbing-rose-cecil-brunner-1
Rose 'Cecil Brunner'

Rose 'Cecil Brunner' is a treasured old fashioned climbing rose, admired for its sprays of small, perfectly shaped soft pink flowers and delicate...

From$30.29
rose-just-joey-
Rose 'Just Joey'

Just Joey Rose is a stunning hybrid tea rose known for its apricot blooms and delightful fragrance. Ideal for adding warm colour and scent to New...

From$55.13
A border planting of Rose 'Flower Carpet Gold' with masses of yellow flowers.
Rose 'Flower Carpet Gold'

Rose 'Flower Carpet Gold' is a low growing ground cover rose that delivers a bright display of golden yellow blooms across a long flowering season...

From$34.43
Rose 'Flower Carpet Scarlet' plants with red flowers above lush, green foliage.
Rose 'Flower Carpet Scarlet'

Rose 'Flower Carpet Scarlet' is a low growing ground cover rose that produces a bold display of scarlet red flowers over a long season. Its spreading...

From$33.81
rose-spiced-coffee-2
Rose 'Spiced Coffee'

Rose 'Spiced Coffee' is a distinctive flowering rose valued for its unusual warm toned blooms, healthy foliage, and long flowering season. The...

From$44.09
iris-rose-queen-
Iris 'Rose Queen'

Iris 'Rose Queen' is a beautiful flowering iris that brings graceful form and lovely seasonal colour to NZ gardens. Its distinctive blooms rise above...

From$27.53
rose-fertiliser-
Rose Fertiliser

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

From$16.95
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
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$34.95
super-shield-rose-spray-1
Rose Spray

Super Shield Rose Spray is a multipurpose treatment for controlling common pests and diseases that affect roses. It targets problems including...

From$156.96
Orange 'Best Seedless' orange fruit with orange flesh.
Orange 'Best Seedless'

The 'Best Seedless' Orange is a superb variety prized for its deliciously sweet, seedless fruit and easy-to-peel skin. Perfect for New Zealand...

From$369.95
standard-rose-golden-celebration-2
Rose 'Golden Celebration Standard'

Rose 'Golden Celebration Standard' is an elegant standard rose valued for its rich golden yellow blooms, refined form, and long flowering season. The...

OUT OF STOCK
standard-rose-alexander-1
Rose 'Alexander Standard'

Rose 'Alexander Standard' is an elegant standard rose prized for its vivid red blooms, refined form, and long flowering season. The flowers are held...

OUT OF STOCK
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Rose 'Best Friend'

Rose 'Best Friend' is a charming modern rose known for its attractive blooms and reliable garden performance. Flowering repeatedly through the warmer...

OUT OF STOCK
rose-cream-dream-1
Rose 'Cream Dream'

Rose 'Cream Dream' is an elegant flowering rose prized for its creamy blooms, healthy foliage, and long flowering season. The flowers are produced...

OUT OF STOCK
Rose 'Nicole' pink and cream flowers.
Rose 'Nicole'

Nicole' Rose is a beautiful hybrid tea rose admired for its elegant blooms featuring creamy white petals edged with soft pink. The large flowers are...

OUT OF STOCK
standard-rose-just-joey-5
Rose 'Just Joey Standard'

Rose 'Just Joey Standard' is an elegant standard rose valued for its large, beautifully formed blooms, warm seasonal colour, and refined tree like...

OUT OF STOCK
Rose 'Serendipity' yellow flower with buds.
Rose 'Serendipity'

Rose 'Serendipity' is a beautiful garden rose that brings elegant flowers, a tidy bushy habit, and repeat seasonal interest to NZ gardens. It is a...

OUT OF STOCK
climbing-rose-albertine-
Rose 'Albertine'

Rose 'Albertine' is a classic rambling rose, loved for its large clusters of salmon pink blooms, rich fragrance, and vigorous growth. The full...

OUT OF STOCK
Large pink flower from Rose 'NZ Gardener'.
Rose 'NZ Gardener'

Rose 'NZ Gardener' is an attractive flowering rose valued for its elegant blooms, healthy foliage, and reliable garden performance. It brings refined...

OUT OF STOCK
Rose 'Honor' beautiful white flower.
Rose Honor

'Honor' Rose is a classic hybrid tea rose admired for its elegant blooms, repeat flowering, and reliable garden performance. It produces an abundance...

OUT OF STOCK
Rose 'Tequila Sunrise'

Did you find what you are looking for?

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

Search best rose

What Makes the Best Rose Varieties?

The best rose varieties stand out for their resilience, generous flowering, and health. Modern breeders have created roses with exceptional repeat-flowering qualities, vigorous growth, and improved resistance to common diseases. When choosing roses for your garden, consider factors like bloom shape, plant size, fragrance, and colour palette. Understanding your garden’s sunlight, soil conditions, and space will help you make the best selection for both performance and aesthetics.

Top Picks: Best Rose Varieties for New Zealand Gardens

1. Rose Simplicity Violet Serenity

This exceptional floribunda stands out for its dreamy violet-lavender blooms. Rose Simplicity Violet Serenity brings a calming hue to the garden and produces clusters of flowers continuously through the season. Its semi-double blooms attract beneficial pollinators and add a fresh, contemporary look to borders and beds.

2. Rose Simplicity Cream Dream

For gardeners seeking soft elegance, Rose Simplicity Cream Dream offers creamy, dreamy blooms that light up the garden. This variety flourishes in most New Zealand regions, combining disease tolerance with prolific flowering, making it a reliable choice for both novice and seasoned growers.

3. Rose Blackberry Nip

If you want bold colour and powerful perfume, Rose Blackberry Nip is hard to surpass. Its deep purple, almost blackberry-toned petals create a dramatic statement in any garden setting. Recognised for both outstanding performance and scent, Blackberry Nip is a favourite for cutting gardens and show beds.

Complementing Roses in Your Garden

Pairing the best rose varieties with compatible perennials boosts visual impact and supports healthy plant growth. Plants like Hemerocallis Rose Cherub (Rose Daylily) bring easy-care, strappy foliage and lush flowers, beautifully complementing bush roses. For trailing accents, consider sun-loving companions such as Portulaca Pazzaz Yellow (Yellow Portulaca), which delivers vivid groundcover and contrasts handsomely with traditional rose tones.

Tips for Growing the Best Rose Varieties

Choosing high-quality plants is the first step. Plant roses in full sun with shelter from harsh winds, and ensure well-drained soil enriched with organic compost. Mulch each season to conserve moisture and suppress weeds, prune annually to encourage new growth, and feed with a balanced rose fertiliser. With thoughtful care and the right varieties, your garden will reward you with continuous blooms and vibrant colour.

Explore our range of the best rose varieties and discover how these timeless flowers can transform your New Zealand garden this season.


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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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