Floribunda, meaning ‘many flowering’, is a class of roses that came about after breeders attempted to add the exceptional blooming power of the Polyantha roses to the colour range, and exquisite form, of the Hybrid Teas. The term was coined in 1930 by Dr. J. N. Nicolas as a way of describing the roses that were born from these horticultural endeavours. They resulted in denser, bushy shrubs that were hardy, and disease resistant, but bloomed profusely throughout their growing season in glorious clusters of colour, and fragrance. They had a tidy nature and glossy green foliage to contrast the abundance of blooms. The flowers were beautifully formed, and often open with ruffled edges. Floribundas are commonly a modest size, about 3-4 feet on average, and, with their rating typically Zone 5/6 upward, they are hardy, and adaptable. Cross breeding can sometimes make these distinctions a bit harder to recognize, however, these nine Floribundas are great examples of how to welcome this rewarding class of roses to your garden.
Fellowship
Bred by Harkness & Co. 1998 for exceptional health and vigour, these deep tangerine blooms perch like luminous lanterns to cast a warm glow against their dark foliage. Slightly contrary to the typical Floribunda characteristic, they can often appear solitary, but their striking orange blooms are nonetheless impactful for it. The intensity of their orange hue can vary with temperature, and their decorative hips provide colour interest in fall. Once established, they are prolific bloomers, all season long, and even well into the Autumn. A moderate, citrusy, sweet fragrance and low maintenance attitude (which inspired the lesser known name ‘Livin’ Easy’ that they sometimes use in the US) make them a gratifying addition to garden borders and beds. In the UK and Canada, the name ‘Fellowship’ is a nod to the Rotary organization of the UK, a charitable movement that prioritizes community, service, and fellowship.
Hot Cocoa
Another Floribunda whose colour can vary and transform given the environment and temperature is ‘Hot Cocoa’. This beguiling rose can appear coppery orange, deep orange-red, russet, and even a rich burgundy that borders on milk chocolate. These colour variations are no surprise when you consider its lineage– ‘Playboy’ (also on this list), ‘Altissimo’, and ‘Livin’ Easy’ are all parent plants. Whatever the hue, it has velvety, ruffled petals with a darker reverse, giving a mulit-toned effect that adds dimension to their cupped shapes. Bred by Tom Carthage in 2001, and introduced by Weeks in 2003, it has also been known as ‘Kiwi’, and as ‘Nubya’ in Switzerland, where it was named in honour of a Swiss-Nigerian singer named Nnena Eze, professionally known as Nubya. It has vibrant foliage, with glossy, healthy leaves, and a rounded, bushy habit, between 3-5 feet. It is a reliable, hardy plant, but its miraculous colour is what will really impress with ‘Hot Cocoa’.
Burgundy Iceberg
Iceberg is a Floribunda that is widely grown due to its beauty, and reliability. It also has a tendency to produce sports easily, and this one has exceptional colour. ‘Burgundy Iceberg’ is a centerpiece showstopper. Like its parent, it is blessed with glossy green foliage, and full, heavy, blooms. This variation has elegant, thornless stems, and an unusual deep fuchsia red hue with a frosty, lavender reverse. The petals are thick and shiny, almost pearlescent along the reflex edges. It has a pleasingly long blooming season with continuous flowers. Typically reaching 4 feet high, it is a great size to add its showy clusters of colour to nearly any area of the garden.
Playboy
Originally known in Scotland as ‘Cheerio’, this rose was bred by Alexander Cocker in 1976. It has become popular with gardeners due to its pleasingly round growth habit, and its mild apple fragrance. From Summer through to Autumn, this enthusiastic bloomer will flush large, semi-double blooms with luminous orange petals that darken to coral red at the edges. Each bloom emanates from a cheery golden centre eye, and they seem to almost glow in contrast to the deep, sage green foliage around them. Like tiny lit lanterns, they seem to bring warmth and light to dark corners of the garden, where they can thrive despite a bit of shade. Their warm, spicy tones stay in sync with the transitioning autumn garden, as it moves into the colours of the season. It would be beautiful in a vase with plump red and gold hips from other roses that have already bore fruit for the year, and a sprig of maple leaves still delicately clinging in place.
Easy Going
In 1996, Harkness & Co. discovered this dazzling repeat bloomer that is a sport of the much darker, orange ‘Livin’ Easy’. It has continued to charm in gardens ever since, with its peachy gold and yellow petals, and a warm, honey fragrance to match. Ruffled, bouquet-like clusters nestle abundantly in a low maintenance and disease resistant shrub. They are especially resistant to foliar disease like black spot, and it is clear where the moniker ‘Easy Going’ comes from. They are easy to grow, easy to fit into the garden with modest size and compliant nature, and easy to enjoy with a glorious colour palette and moderate scent. They can also be found under the name ‘Don Quichotte’, channeling the dreamy idealism of the hero himself. Just as he saw Dulcinea wreathed in imagined blooms, this rose invites the gardener to see not just a flower, but a vision shaped by love and horticultural devotion. They thrive in zones 6b and warmer, and can be from 35” tall to 5 feet, but with their upright growth, they usually don’t exceed about 2-3 ft in width.
Bolero
This rose is densely packed with layers upon layers of soft white petals. The decadent blooms can be pure white, but are often blushed with romantic hues of delicate pink, or warm cream, that can fade in maturity. The abundant clusters appear on a bushy, compact plant, about 4 feet tall, with the glossy, medium green foliage that is so common to floribundas. Each flush brings about rounded, plump buds, and, in the autumn, equally attractive hips form to please gardeners that have planted ‘Bolero’ for landscaping. Also prized for cutting, they make luxurious bouquets with a strong fragrance of old rose laced with spicy citrus, that is reminiscent of one of its parents – Sharifa Asma. Whether ‘Bolero’ is named for the passionate song by Maurice Ravel, or the Cuban and Spanish dances of the same name, which have ladies ruffled skirts swirling to the music, is unclear. It was introduced under the name in 2004 by Meilland in France, and Star Roses in the US. Bred by Jacques Mouchotte pre-2002, its registration name was ‘Meidelweis’. This would be a contraction of Meilland, and Edelweiss, perhaps a nod to the unblemished white petals of that mountain flower. ‘Bolero’ will be happy in zones 5b-9b, making it a versatile addition to your garden.
Arthur Bell
Introduced in 1964, this rose was named for renowned whiskey producer Arthur Bell. These perfectly formed, double blooms seem like a faerie tale drawing of a rose, with exquisitely formed, deeply golden petals that gradually mature into a creamier, sunnier yellow as they age. The colour of these ruffled-edged blooms can deepen as the summer temperatures rise. They have a strong rose fragrance, and a compact, very disease resistant bush. Perhaps as a result of their Scottish connection, they are particularly rain hardy, but may require a little protection in very cold climates, as they are Zone 5b and warmer. They would certain thrive in borders and cutting gardens, but they can also do well in containers, where their aroma will make your patio into your favourite place to while away the hours in your garden.
Daybreaker
This rose is a lovely blend of luminous tangerines, blushing pinks, and deep fuschias. The dazzling colour display brings to mind the warm, glowing hues of a summer morning, when you rise early to spend a moment or two, surveying the garden before the world awakens. It has beautifully formed buds that open to sunkissed, rounded cups, with delicate, ruffled edges giving off a strong tea fragrance. Its upright habit can reach up to 5 feet, and the sturdy bush will bloom prolifically throughout the season. Bred by Gareth Fryer, pre 2003, the medium green, glossy foliage thrives in Zones 6b to 9b.
Julia Child
Personally chosen by the eccentric and beloved celebrity chef to represent her, Rosa ‘Julia Child’ is a compact, disease resistant bush, and a prolific bloomer. Bred by Tom Carruth pre 2003, it was introduced as ‘Julia Child’ in 2006, but has been known as ‘Soul Mate’, and ‘Absolutely Fabulous’, which, of course, it is. Its ruffled, globular blooms are a glorious, golden butter yellow, and each cup releases a bewitching licorice, anise seed fragrance into the air. Clusters of these roses appear in flushes so frequent, it can seem to be continuously blooming at the peak of its season. The bush is typically rounded, and averages 3.5 feet high like many Floribunda. However, it is particularly heat-tolerant, and mildew resistant. At Zones 5b through 10a, it can handle a wide range of garden environments with grace and resilience, much like Julia herself.
Floribundas are fantastic additions to any garden, offering colour and fragrance with clusters of repeat blooming roses on hardy, disease resistant foliage. Their modest size and tidy habit makes them perfect for borders, container gardens, and as a partner to taller roses and perennials that can compliment them in a well balanced planting.
