Rosa (Grandiflora Group)
Grandiflora roses blend the large blooms of hybrid teas with the clustered habit of floribundas. Plants are tall and architectural, so they anchor borders and screens. They flower from late spring to fall when sited in full sun with good soil drainage. Most selections are hardy in USDA Zones 5 to 9 in North America. Sturdy stems make them useful for cutting. Plan for routine pruning and disease monitoring for best display.
At‑a‑glance
- Group/Class: Grandiflora
- Height × spread: 4–6 ft × 2–4 ft (1.2–1.8 m × 0.6–1.2 m)
- Bloom window: late spring to fall; large blooms in small clusters
- Color & flower form: wide palette; large, double, cluster‑blooming
- Fragrance: 2 noticeable
- USDA hardiness: zones 5 to 9 (varies by cultivar)
- Breeder / Year / Origin: ‘Queen Elizabeth’ — W. Lammerts, 1954, USA (early, iconic grandiflora)
- Cut‑flower notes: strong stems; typical vase life up to 10 days with proper conditioning
- Pet safety: safe
How it differs
- Taller than many bush roses for strong vertical accents
- Larger blooms than most floribundas but often borne in clusters
- Useful balance of stem length and garden presence
- Good for mixed borders that also supply cut stems
Strengths
- Repeat flowering with deadheading
- Large, showy blooms on sturdy stems
- Works as a screen or back‑of‑border shrub
- Broad color selection
Care in one minute
- Site: full sun and airflow; avoid crowding
- Soil and pH: fertile, well drained soil at pH 6.5 to 7.0; mulch keeps roots cool
- Water: deep, regular watering focused at the base
- Feeding: balanced fertilizer in spring and midsummer to support large blooms
- Pruning: late winter structural prune; remove crossing wood; deadhead after flushes
- Overwintering: mound mulch around crown where winters are severe
Watch‑outs
- Susceptible to common rose diseases in humid conditions
- Can become leggy without regular pruning
- Winter protection may be needed in colder zones
Best uses (tags)
cutting, back‑of‑border, screens, specimen
Provenance note
The grandiflora concept emerged in the mid‑20th century, with ‘Queen Elizabeth’ (1954) a landmark example bred in the United States. Breeding has since emphasized both flower size and cluster display.
References
- Colorado State University Extension – Selecting and Planting Roses (class background).
- Historic Roses Group – ‘Queen Elizabeth’ rose background.
- UC Davis Postharvest – Roses: Spray Rose, Sweetheart Rose (vase life).
- ASPCA – Rose (Rosa spp.) non‑toxic to pets.
Written by: Your Flowers Guide editorial team
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