What Is A Hybrid Tea Rose?

If you go shopping for rose bushes to adorn your garden, you’ll be met with many varieties of roses: climbing, grandiflora, floribunda, and miniature, to name a few. In this article, we look at the hybrid tea rose—known for its unmatched beauty. Keep reading to learn what a hybrid tea rose is, the types of hybrid tea roses, and how they differ from “regular” roses.

What is a Hybrid Tea Rose?

The Hybrid Tea Rose is one of the most popular varieties of rose, known for its long stems, high-centered blooms, and wide range of colors. Developed in the late 1800s to capture the best qualities of both traits, the hybrid tea rose is a cross of hybrid perpetual roses and tea roses. 

Its classic beauty and alluring fragrance make it the perfect choice for floral arrangements and gardens. Each bloom of a hybrid tea rose is usually solitary, meaning it grows one large flower per stem. This trait makes them a favorite for bouquets. And blooming throughout the growing season, in a variety of climates, makes hybrid tea roses preferred by gardeners.

Types of Hybrid Tea Roses

If you’re looking for the perfect tea rose for your garden, the types of hybrid tea roses will not disappoint. This popular rose comes in a wide array of colors, sizes, and fragrances, offering something for everyone. Here are seven popular cultivars of hybrid tea roses.

Peace Rose

Famous for its soft yellow petals edged with pink, the Peace rose (Rosa Madame A. Meilland)  is a symbol of hope and tranquility. It sports large blooms of up to 6 inches across. It requires full sun in zones 5 to 9 and grows 4-7 feet tall. The Peace rose is lightly fragrant.

Double Delight

This variety features cream-colored petals with red edges and emits a sweet, spicy scent. Each large bloom of the Double Delight (Rosa Double Delight) is unique. It requires full sun in zones 7 to 10 and grows up to 4 feet tall.

Spiced Coffee

Spiced Coffee (Rosa MACjuliat) roses can vary in color, from slightly beige to warm pink with dark markings. Highly fragrant and continually blooming, this hybrid tea rose requires full sun in zones 7 to 10.

Blue Moon

As a compact hybrid tea rose, Blue Moon (Rosa Tannacht) grows 2 to 3 feet tall and is perfect for growing in containers. It features large, double-petaled flowers and a strong fragrance. Its deep green foliage contrasts beautifully with its continual lavender blooms. Blue Moon requires full sun in hardiness zones 5 to 10.

Dark Knight

The Dark Knight (Rosa Meirysett) stands as high as 6 feet tall and continuously produces spectacular, two-tone blooms of deep maroon and creamy yellow. Its light fragrance and striking appearance capture the attention of gardeners far and wide. Thriving in hardiness zones 5 to 9, this hybrid tea rose requires full sun.

Mr. Lincoln

The deep, velvety red blooms of Mr. Lincoln (Rosa Mr. Lincoln) allure the affections of romantic gardeners. A vigorous grower, it adapts to adverse weather conditions but thrives in full sun in zones 5 to 10. It also reaches an impressive height of 4 to 6 feet, making it a stunning focal point in any garden. And its strong melon-like fragrance lingers when the flowers are cut for arrangements.

Tahitian Sunset

A hardy cultivar, Tahitian Sunset (Rosa JACgodde) is loved for its resistance to blackspot-free foliage, even in the worst heat and humidity of summer. Adorned with 5-inch apricot-colored blooms, its long-lasting scent hints of licorice. Tahitian Sunset grows up to 5 feet tall and requires full sun in zones 5 to 9.

What’s the difference between a hybrid rose and a regular rose?

There are over 300 species of roses with thousands of varieties. So, how are hybrid tea roses different from the rest? Here are the main ways they stand out from other options.

• Bloom and Grow: Hybrid tea roses grow upright, producing only a single bloom on long stems. Other roses grow clusters of flowers on shrubs or vines that sprawl or climb.
• Fragrance Profile: Hybrid tea roses generally are more fragrant than other modern roses.
• Purpose: Hybrid tea roses are often grown for cut flowers to use in floral arrangements. Gardeners prefer other roses for their landscape potential.
• Maintenance: Hybrid tea roses are less hardy than other varieties and require pest and disease management.

Why Choose Hybrid Tea Roses for Your Garden?

Hybrid tea roses add a timeless elegance and vibrant color to your garden. Their long, straight stems and long-lasting blooms make them ideal for cutting and displaying indoors. And since they bloom continuously, your garden stays beautiful throughout the growing season. Hybrid tea roses provide unmatched beauty and charm to your garden and your table.