10 Roses For Partial Shade
I am frequently asked if roses can be grown in the shade and if so, which ones? First, we need to address what exactly one means by “shade"? Grammatically speaking, “shade” means “absence of sunlight” and but shade varies – there is full shade, partial shade, dappled shade and so on. Frankly, I don’t know of any roses that would bloom well in complete shade. However, if one is referring to partial shade with at least a few hours of sunlight, then I perhaps can offer some positive news.
The main portion of my garden lies on a gently sloping plot of land which faces south. The middle section (and the southern horizon) is open and receives full sun for most of the day. On the east and west sides stand full-grown trees, not all of which reside in my garden. These trees consist of hackberry, black walnut, redbud and maple although not all of them are individually desirable... from a collective perspective, it certainly does look like it belongs on postcards, wedding invitations or classy rehearsal dinner invitations. I don’t plan to cut them down, however, because they do provide valuable shade which is often welcome in our hot and humid summers. The big black walnut tree blocks the sun rising in the east, so it is not until 9 or 10 am that the light fully reaches my roses. They continue to bask in the rays of the sun for 6-7 hours until the sun begins to descend past the huge hackberry trees on the west side of my property. For the most part, my roses do well in this part of the garden, regardless of their class or type.
Roses are also scattered throughout the garden in various nooks and crannies, including areas near trees and structures that provide shade. Observing these roses over the years, I’ve noticed that many develop quite lovely blooms and show no signs of disease if given at least 3 or 4 hours of direct sun.
Of these, the ones that perform best in partial shade are the hybrid musks, which not only bloom profusely, but also retain their attractive arching forms. A few of the noisettes, ramblers and Old European roses do well also. This advice cannot, however, be applied to all the roses in their class. Not all hybrid musk roses do well in partial shade and only some of the noisettes, ramblers, etc. do well. They are exceptions to the rule in all rose types. It is best to research each individual rose carefully before placing it in this type of exposure.
The following is a list of ten roses that perform admirably in my garden with limited sun (some get more than others, which I will attest to in the descriptions.) All of the roses listed here produce beautiful blooms and they do not appear scraggly nor ramble for the sunlight. None of them have displayed any serious diseases such as blackspot or mildew.
I am frequently asked if roses can be grown in the shade and if so, which ones? First, we need to address what exactly one means by “shade"? Grammatically speaking, “shade” means “absence of sunlight” and but shade varies – there is full shade, partial shade, dappled shade and so on. Frankly, I don’t know of any roses that would bloom well in complete shade. However, if one is referring to partial shade with at least a few hours of sunlight, then I perhaps can offer some positive news.
The main portion of my garden lies on a gently sloping plot of land which faces south. The middle section (and the southern horizon) is open and receives full sun for most of the day. On the east and west sides stand full-grown trees, not all of which reside in my garden. These trees consist of hackberry, black walnut, redbud and maple although not all of them are individually desirable... from a collective perspective, it certainly does look like it belongs on postcards, wedding invitations or classy rehearsal dinner invitations. I don’t plan to cut them down, however, because they do provide valuable shade which is often welcome in our hot and humid summers. The big black walnut tree blocks the sun rising in the east, so it is not until 9 or 10 am that the light fully reaches my roses. They continue to bask in the rays of the sun for 6-7 hours until the sun begins to descend past the huge hackberry trees on the west side of my property. For the most part, my roses do well in this part of the garden, regardless of their class or type.
Roses are also scattered throughout the garden in various nooks and crannies, including areas near trees and structures that provide shade. Observing these roses over the years, I’ve noticed that many develop quite lovely blooms and show no signs of disease if given at least 3 or 4 hours of direct sun.
Of these, the ones that perform best in partial shade are the hybrid musks, which not only bloom profusely, but also retain their attractive arching forms. A few of the noisettes, ramblers and Old European roses do well also. This advice cannot, however, be applied to all the roses in their class. Not all hybrid musk roses do well in partial shade and only some of the noisettes, ramblers, etc. do well. They are exceptions to the rule in all rose types. It is best to research each individual rose carefully before placing it in this type of exposure.
The following is a list of ten roses that perform admirably in my garden with limited sun (some get more than others, which I will attest to in the descriptions.) All of the roses listed here produce beautiful blooms and they do not appear scraggly nor ramble for the sunlight. None of them have displayed any serious diseases such as blackspot or mildew.
"Belinda"
1. Belinda (Hybrid Musk)
This is one of my favorite hybrid musk roses and I recommend it highly. I have it placed in a difficult location for a rose - an area along my driveway which consists of a narrow strip which is shaded by a grove of hackberry trees. A few hours of morning sun (about 3 or 4 hours total) is following by dappled shade for the remainder of the day. If the excessive shade doesn't pose enough of a problem, the soil here is dry and congested with tree roots. Belinda doesn't seem to mind, however, and she never fails to produce an abundance of bloom every spring. Hefty trusses of deep pink with a white center adorn the bush from top to bottom. I have read that Belinda can be used as a climber but I let her grow naturally which results in a compact 4x4 mound. This rose would also make a wonderful low hedge! Read more about it...
This is one of my favorite hybrid musk roses and I recommend it highly. I have it placed in a difficult location for a rose - an area along my driveway which consists of a narrow strip which is shaded by a grove of hackberry trees. A few hours of morning sun (about 3 or 4 hours total) is following by dappled shade for the remainder of the day. If the excessive shade doesn't pose enough of a problem, the soil here is dry and congested with tree roots. Belinda doesn't seem to mind, however, and she never fails to produce an abundance of bloom every spring. Hefty trusses of deep pink with a white center adorn the bush from top to bottom. I have read that Belinda can be used as a climber but I let her grow naturally which results in a compact 4x4 mound. This rose would also make a wonderful low hedge! Read more about it...
"Madame Plantier"
2. Madame Plantier (Alba)
Residing a few feet from Belinda is Madame Plantier, an Alba rose which was introduced in 1835. It is a large rose and makes a neat mound about 4x5. The foliage is light green and almost thornless and the long pliable canes would make it an ideal candidate for training on a trellis or fence. The flowers are exquisite - pale pink buds open to pure white flowers that are very fragrant. Read more about it...
Residing a few feet from Belinda is Madame Plantier, an Alba rose which was introduced in 1835. It is a large rose and makes a neat mound about 4x5. The foliage is light green and almost thornless and the long pliable canes would make it an ideal candidate for training on a trellis or fence. The flowers are exquisite - pale pink buds open to pure white flowers that are very fragrant. Read more about it...
"Veilchenblau"
3. Veilchenblau (Rambler)
This rambler makes a breathtaking sight in early spring when it is smothered with tiny violet blooms. It is truly unfortunate that the rose only blooms once each year but it is something to look forward to. I have this rose growing on an archway where it receives morning sun (about 5-6 hours) and then complete shade after 1 p.m. The long pliable canes are thornless and the flowers have a slight fruity fragrance. The name comes from the German and means "violet blue". Read more about it...
This rambler makes a breathtaking sight in early spring when it is smothered with tiny violet blooms. It is truly unfortunate that the rose only blooms once each year but it is something to look forward to. I have this rose growing on an archway where it receives morning sun (about 5-6 hours) and then complete shade after 1 p.m. The long pliable canes are thornless and the flowers have a slight fruity fragrance. The name comes from the German and means "violet blue". Read more about it...
"American Pillar"
4. American Pillar (Rambler)
This is another rambler that performs beautifully with only 5-6 hours of morning sun. American Pillar is a fast grower and can become monstrous in size. The thorny canes become stiffer as they age so it is important to train them when they are young. I've seen this rose used on pergolas or growing into trees. It makes quite a spectacle when the hot pink blooms (with white and gold centers) cover the plant in early spring. This is a once-bloomer and has only a slight fragrance. Read more about it...
This is another rambler that performs beautifully with only 5-6 hours of morning sun. American Pillar is a fast grower and can become monstrous in size. The thorny canes become stiffer as they age so it is important to train them when they are young. I've seen this rose used on pergolas or growing into trees. It makes quite a spectacle when the hot pink blooms (with white and gold centers) cover the plant in early spring. This is a once-bloomer and has only a slight fragrance. Read more about it...
"Moonlight"
5. Moonlight (Hybrid Musk)
Moonlight is another fabulous hybrid musk which does just fine with limited sun. I have two plants - one get 5-6 hours of morning sun and the other gets no direct sun and a mixture of dappled shade and complete shade. Both bloom profusely. This rose makes a large bush (6x6) and will grow into a beautiful fountain shape if allowed the room. This is another carefree rose that has never been plagued by disease. It is a stunning beauty. Read more about it...
Moonlight is another fabulous hybrid musk which does just fine with limited sun. I have two plants - one get 5-6 hours of morning sun and the other gets no direct sun and a mixture of dappled shade and complete shade. Both bloom profusely. This rose makes a large bush (6x6) and will grow into a beautiful fountain shape if allowed the room. This is another carefree rose that has never been plagued by disease. It is a stunning beauty. Read more about it...
"Cornelia"
6. Cornelia (Hybrid Musk)
Reportedly similar to Moonlight (above) in form and habit, but I can't positively attest to this because I keep moving mine. I now have her sitting underneath a red maple tree. While I cannot be positive about the size, I can say for a fact that she blooms beautifully in this location. Here the only direct sun comes in the afternoon and that is only for 2 or 3 hours. This is a lovely rose with deep pink buds opening to blooms of light pink with shades of apricot and gold. This rose makes a good climber as well. Outstanding! Read more about it...
Reportedly similar to Moonlight (above) in form and habit, but I can't positively attest to this because I keep moving mine. I now have her sitting underneath a red maple tree. While I cannot be positive about the size, I can say for a fact that she blooms beautifully in this location. Here the only direct sun comes in the afternoon and that is only for 2 or 3 hours. This is a lovely rose with deep pink buds opening to blooms of light pink with shades of apricot and gold. This rose makes a good climber as well. Outstanding! Read more about it...
"Mermaid"
7. Mermaid (Climber)
If they ever make a movie about a rose eating a town, then Mermaid could win the leading role. I have a two-story house and planted this rose on my north facing wall because I had read that it would tolerate the shade. It does indeed but its massive size and thorniness prompted me to move it elsewhere. It easily scaled the 15 foot trellis I made for it to grow on and pruning it is not a fun task, I can assure you. Those thorns can be lethal! It will bloom fine with limited sun but bloom will be more profuse with more. If you are up for the challenge or have an old shed or wood pile you want out of sight, consider Mermaid. Read more about it...
If they ever make a movie about a rose eating a town, then Mermaid could win the leading role. I have a two-story house and planted this rose on my north facing wall because I had read that it would tolerate the shade. It does indeed but its massive size and thorniness prompted me to move it elsewhere. It easily scaled the 15 foot trellis I made for it to grow on and pruning it is not a fun task, I can assure you. Those thorns can be lethal! It will bloom fine with limited sun but bloom will be more profuse with more. If you are up for the challenge or have an old shed or wood pile you want out of sight, consider Mermaid. Read more about it...
"New Dawn"
8. New Dawn (Climber)
Please don't accuse me of false advertisement - I will confess that the photo at the right is my New Dawn which is growing in full sun. However, I do have another one on my pergola which gets considerably lesser sun (about 5-6 hours) and blooms just like this one. I have also witnessed this rose growing in other gardens and it is one of the best roses for partial shade. In fact, I find that New Dawn's blooms look better with some shade because the pale pink/cream flowers hold up better (they turn to white in strong sunlight). This is one of the best roses period! It is versatile - can be grown as a climber or shrub - and is completely disease resistant. Read more about it...
Please don't accuse me of false advertisement - I will confess that the photo at the right is my New Dawn which is growing in full sun. However, I do have another one on my pergola which gets considerably lesser sun (about 5-6 hours) and blooms just like this one. I have also witnessed this rose growing in other gardens and it is one of the best roses for partial shade. In fact, I find that New Dawn's blooms look better with some shade because the pale pink/cream flowers hold up better (they turn to white in strong sunlight). This is one of the best roses period! It is versatile - can be grown as a climber or shrub - and is completely disease resistant. Read more about it...
"Madame Alfred Carriere"
9. Madame Alfred Carriere (Noisette)
This could be another candidate for the north wall. This grows on a pergola where it gets about 5-6 hours of morning sun. A fast grower, it can easily reach 25 feet in just two or three years. The canes become stiff with age so if you intend to train them, do it immediately. The flowers are a delicate white or soft pink and intensely fragrant. The rose is named for the wife of a French rose breeder. Read more about it...
This could be another candidate for the north wall. This grows on a pergola where it gets about 5-6 hours of morning sun. A fast grower, it can easily reach 25 feet in just two or three years. The canes become stiff with age so if you intend to train them, do it immediately. The flowers are a delicate white or soft pink and intensely fragrant. The rose is named for the wife of a French rose breeder. Read more about it...
"Lyda Rose"
10. Lyda Rose (Hybrid Musk)
This beautiful shrub rose is a descendent of the hybrid musk Francis Lester. I think the blooms look like dogwood blossoms and they do have a slight fragrance. The rose is about 4x4 and does very well in my garden with only 4 hours of morning sun. Disease resistance is excellent as well. Read more about it...
This beautiful shrub rose is a descendent of the hybrid musk Francis Lester. I think the blooms look like dogwood blossoms and they do have a slight fragrance. The rose is about 4x4 and does very well in my garden with only 4 hours of morning sun. Disease resistance is excellent as well. Read more about it...