The name says it all! Grandiflora derives from two Latin words, “grandis” being large, and “flora” the flower. This is an appropriate description for this rose that produces multiple masses of large and impressive flowers. The blooms are show-stoppers!

What makes them versatile is their hardiness and abundant flowering. There are many hybrids and a range of incredible colors. Exciting new ones appear every year.

In this article, we discuss the following aspects:

Grandiflora Rose Details

The History of the Grandiflora Rose

The Grandiflora history dates back to the 1950s. After the popularity of Hybrid Tea Roses and Floribundas, the Grandiflora was a natural breeding option. They are compact shrubs that flower prolifically with massive blooms. This made them extremely popular with rose lovers throughout the world. They are a cross between the popular hybrid tea roses and Floribundas.  

They have bright dramatic blooms that are large and boast many petals. They are available in a dazzling range of colors.

New hybrids appear regularly so while you enjoy your trusted favorites, keep an eye out for new additions. Some are absolute showstoppers.

Grandiflora Growth Habit

These roses grow erect without major spread. They tend to have long stems making them great for vases.

While the average height is 4 to 6 feet, some grow a bit taller under the right conditions. They are vigorous growers so prune them back occasionally to maintain the shape and avoid scraggly shoots. The average spread is 2 to 4 feet.

Grandiflora Flower Structure 

The abundant flowers produced are large and solid. They make an impressive display with multiple compacted petals. Most hybrids are double blooms and generally grow on long stems or in clusters of 3 to 5 blooms.

Grandiflora Fragrance

Grandiflora roses lack the fragrance strength and power of the Old Roses, but they still have a significant aroma. There are many hybrids, and some have a more powerful fragrance than others. If fragrance is important, be sure to seek out those that have a more powerful fragrance.

Grandiflora Rose Applications 

These are versatile roses so they have a wide range of applications. They are great in groups in garden beds and make great container roses. You can mix and match colors according to your garden design and layout.

With so many varieties, you are spoilt for choice and will only be limited by your imagination. Some color combinations work better than others so give some thought to the process before you start.

These roses tend to grow erect without as much spread as many other rose categories. Depending on the specific variety, you can space them 3 to 6 feet apart. Be sure to keep them trimmed to ensure they have the classic Frandiflora shape. This will also enhance health, growth, and flowering.

The attractive blooms and long stems make them fantastic cut flowers.

Grandiflora Rose Growing Zones

Most of these roses will thrive in growing zones 4 to 9 (USDA’s Plant Hardiness Zone).  The ideal UK zones are H3 to H7 and in Australia, zones 2 to 6. With the right care, you might get away with growing them in zones outside of these ranges.

Planting the Grandiflora Rose

Planting the Grandiflora is simple and much like other rose bushes. They are often sold as bare-root roses. These should be planted soon after purchase. Soak them in water for an hour or two before planting.

Dig a hole large enough to accommodate the roots and dig a bit deeper than the roots to allow for easy growth. Peat moss can be added to improve drainage.

 Mix the removed soil with rich organic matter or compost. If the plant is in a bag, remove it gently and slowly tease out the roots to release them. Ensure the plant is at the same height above the soil as it was originally and gently firm down the soil as you backfill.

Be sure to water the newly planted rose regularly for the first few weeks.  

Don’t plant if there is soggy ground and don’t plant if frost is expected.

Watering Grandiflora Roses

The trick to watering roses is to let the appearance of the plant and the weather conditions guide you. You also want to water the base of the plant and avoid wetting the leaves and blooms (this helps to prevent disease). Water generously 2 or 3 times a week when it is hot. Let the soil dry between watering.

In the winter months little to no watering is required unless you notice that the rose is wilting. Then, only water on a slightly warmer day.

Propagating Grandiflora Roses

While it is possible to grow these roses from seeds, a stem cutting is the easiest way to spread the love and have more of your favorites. You can enhance your garden, gift the new plants, or swop with friends and neighbors. One thing to note is that, as with many hybrids, some are protected by patents meaning that is unethical as well as illegal to propagate them. Check this first.

The process to propagate from cuttings is fairly simple and you can read more details here: Grow the Roses You Love From Cuttings.

It is also a great idea if you want to have more of these beautiful roses for the vase without sacrificing the display in your garden.

Note that new roses grown from cuttings might not be as hardy as the original stock as these are often grown on grafted rootstock.

Fertilizing Grandifloras

When done correctly, roses love to be fertilized. They are voracious feeders and despite our best efforts, the soil and environment rarely provide enough nutrients for a healthy plant that grows well and flowers abundantly.

You can use a rose-specific fertilizer, but a slow-release organic fertilizer is safe and effective. You can add some to the surrounding soil every six weeks. Do not fertilize in the winter months as the plant is dormant at this stage. Always remember to water well after applying fertilizer.

Grandiflora Pests and Diseases

Although the modern hybrids have been specifically bred to be hardy, they are not immune to pests and diseases. Correct planting and basic care and maintenance will drastically reduce the risks. The main issue to watch out for is foliar diseases such as black spot and mildew. Ensure the plant gets good sun and sufficient airflow.

Pests include the usual suspects such as aphids, thrips, mites, and beetles. A healthy plant and garden ecosystem should keep these issues under control. Often, just a hard jet of water is all that is needed to eradicate them. What is important is to observe the plants regularly, including the underside of the leaves. This will help to identify the problem early and take steps if necessary.

You can read more about identifying and treating pests and diseases in our Grandiflora Care article.

Pruning a Grandiflora

The first aspect to note is that you should deadhead roses regularly. This will promote new buds and blooms. You also want to remove any dead or damaged branches throughout the year.

Pruning should be done towards the end of winter.  This will allow them to burst into vigorous growth as the temperatures rise. You want to remove all old wood and shape the plant. Remove the long or scraggly shoots to give the plant an even and balanced shape. Old think canes can be cut back to near the base while others should be cut back roughly 4 to 6 buds from the plant base.

Grandiflora Cultivars

In our main article, we discussed just a few of the many spectacular Grandiflora Roses. They were Rock & Roll; Tournament of Roses; Pink Flamingo; and Queen Elizabeth. All delightful but just a few of the many exciting options available.  

Here are a few more stunning options:

• All Dressed Up

This appropriately named rose is a beautiful and striking option.  It has lush glossy green foliage and a proliferation of large blooms in a glistening watermelon pink. They are fully double and put on a great show. Another benefit is that they do not fade. They look fantastic in the garden but given the long stems and remarkable blooms, they are also awesome flowers for the vase. They are relatively hardy and have a subtle pleasant fragrance.

• Ch-Ching

This rose blooms prolifically in a crisp golden-yellow double rose with a hint of red. The rich green leaves and red stems add to the beauty. The blooms have an impressive fragrance.

• Fragrant Plum

There is so much to love about this stunner. The large plumy blooms have a darker tinge giving the flowers a dramatic and impressive appearance. It also has a powerful and enticing fragrance. The long stems and incredible colors make it a great rose for the garden or cut flowers. It grows up to 6 feet.

• Honey Dijon

This unique rose will add a touch of class and elegance to your garden. What makes it stand out from most other hybrids is the silky antique gold double blooms. It produces masses of these spectacular blooms for a proud show that is sure to catch the eye. The Honey Dijon has a significant and pleasant fruity fragrance.

• Gold Medal

It would be negligent to not give you more detail on the Gold Medal Grandiflora. It is a rather large variety with blooms that turn from a gentle orange to a vibrant yellow as they open. The blooms are bold and impressive. It has good disease resistance and lush dark green foliage to complete the look. Gold Medal grows vigorously and blooms with abandon.

• Love

Few things can symbolize love more than the perfect rose and Love Rose will do that for you. The blooms are close to the perfect rose shape with reverse coloring. The reverse of the petals is a striking white with a dramatic scarlet-red front. The contrast is what makes for such an attractive rose. It has an enchanting spicy fragrance. It does well in a vase but note that it has multiple thorns on the stems, a small price to pay for the beauty it offers.

Conclusion

The Grandiflora is a must in any rose collection. There are so many rewarding options to choose from. The large colorful roses that bloom prolifically for many months of the year have so much to offer. They require only minimal effort and will give you pleasure for many years.