Modern Roses, Hybrid Tea and Floribunda

While there are plenty of other popular rose types, these two make up the bulk of what is seen in gardens today. The modern Hybrid Tea began as a cross between the Hybrid Perpetual, and the Oriental Tea rose. Earlier varieties lacked vigour, but with the passage of time they have become far more disease resistant, stronger growing, and the color range has expanded.

Hybrid Tea

An example of a modern Hybrid Tea is shown here - Tequilla Sunrise, bred in 1988 by Dickson (Bonfire Night x Freedom).

If there is one (very small) thing I don't like about Hybrid Teas, it's that many of them are lacking in scent. Breeders, in my opinion, have spent more time and effort concentrating on form, color, and vigor, while overlooking the importance of fragrance.

That trend seems to be reversing now - thankfully! There is something of a let-down for me, seeing a beautiful rose and finding it to have the fragrance of a piece of cardboard.

Floribunda

The Floribundas tend to be slightly easier to grow than Hybrid Teas. They also tend to be smaller, more compact shrubs with muti flowered trusses - and like the Hybrid Tea, many are somewhat lacking in fragrance. But they make up for that with their abundant flowers.

The rose shown on the right is Irish Gee. I have seen this rose classified as both Hybrid Tea, and Floribunda. As it is a sport of Liverpool Echo (floribunda), I tend to think the latter is correct. Also, it has the flower trusses and form of a typical Floribunda. Either way, I think it's a lovely rose, and one well worth a place in any garden. Another popular example is the fire and ice rose.