I know theres 1000's of different roses but what I'm wondering is, is there any particualr varieties commonly available that make exceptional cut flowers? Easy to grow roses for the home gardener who wants to start a cut flower garden? I'm hoping to make a list of some of the best/easiest and most interesting varieties for cut flower use.

Thank-you!
Steven

I like Opening Night. It has long, long stems and it's a beautiful true red, which is difficult for me to capture with my camera.

Here's a shot that shows how long the stems are.

Here's a closeup that managed to capture the true color of the rose.

Steven,

I suggest that you visit Palatine Roses at www.palatineroses.com, click on the link to their Rose List, and then search the database using the word "vase". This will produce a list of roses whose cut blooms have a long "vase life" - although it also includes roses whose hips have a long vase life, so you'll need to read the description of each. (Like you, Palatine is located in Canada.)

In my opinion, hybrid teas and grandifloras make some of the best cut flowers because of their long, straight(er) stems, but they are not necessarily the easiest roses to grow, so you may be at cross purposes where that's concerned. There are many shrub roses and floribundas that are probably easier to grow. Although they typically don't have the long straight stems of hybrid teas and grandifloras, there are many varieties that show up on my dining room table every summer.

Regardless of what rose you choose to display, a few tips for achieving longer vase life include the following: (1) After cutting the rose, immediately put it into water to prevent air from entering the stem. I carry a bucket of water with me when I cut flowers for display. (2) After gathering the roses and cutting them to the right length for display, place them in a vase with hot water rather than cool water. (3) Mix in a little bloom extender, like Schultz Rose & Flower Preservative, or any other commercially available product from your local nursery or florist. It will extend the vase life of the blooms, and will help to keep the water clear. (4) Change the water if it gets murky or cloudy.

Enjoy your blooms!

P.S. Zuzu put me onto Opening Night a couple of years ago, and it is indeed a great rose for the garden.

Thank YOU Mike and Zuzu! I'm building a cut flowers cubit so I'm seeking out information. I'll get 'Opening Night' on the list I'll be making.

Mike, would you mind if I quoted your tips for achieving longer vase life? I would give you credit of course

By all means, feel free to. It's by no means proprietary knowledge...

Thank-you!

I had my Picante in a vase for almost 2 weeks. Had to keep filling the vase. Downside: No scent. Here's a pic after about a week.

I really like that one too! Anything that lasts for 2 weeks without being dipped in chemicals is a trooper!

That's so pretty, Toni. The rose looks just like a Camellia.

Here's what it started out like, though. You can see how it faded from hot fuschia-red-orange-gaudy to hot pinky-salmon.