Now that I have the acreage in our central Virginia garden, I am growing more reference flowers than ever before. When I started gardening in our townhouse I had only a small side yard with limited sunlight – not the best recipe for roses, but I knew I had to have as many as possible in the garden, so I focused on climbers to make the most of my limited space. I am now growing over 25 varieties of roses (which I cannot believe, but I just counted to doublecheck), and while some are newer to me than others, I have some standout favorites for the cutting garden.

My 5 Favorite Garden Roses for Cut Flowers

Princesse Charlene de Monaco

Presiding over the “regal corner” of my raised beds, P. Charlene produces the most lovely peachy pink blooms on nice long stems. Depending on the weather, the petal edges can get beautifully ruffled. She provides a beautiful warm tone to add to arrangements and a nice bridge from very light pink to yellow tones.

Though my mishandling (and not reflecting her vigor!) she was the only rose that did not survive the transplanting from the DC area to our new home in 2022, but she is so lovely I re-purchased her and she has not disappointed. She is also particularly special to me as the variety I bought as a birthday gift from my grandparents, who loved to garden.

Koko Loko

Koko Loko is easily one of the most fun plants I grow, because of its amazing chameleon color shifting quality. Ranging from muted lavender to softest pinky brown, with amazing strong red buds and outer petals – Koko Loko can bridge so many colors in an arrangement.

I have found her to be hearty and vigorous even for the single plant currently growing in less than ideal conditions – that being said, I plan to move this one next year to ensure she gets the full sun she deserves!

Colette

Colette is a peach dream. She is one of the first of my roses to bloom every year along my driveway fence, and when she is in her first flush I can’t get in or out of the car without stopping to admire her. Her warm pinky peach color and deep cup shape make her an eyecatching cluster in an arrangement. I believe she can be grown as a shrub but I am training her as a climber – every year in my garden her stems get stronger and better for arranging.

Parfuma Earth Angel

Earth Angel is such an asset to my cutting garden, I have 5 of her. Vigorous and beautifully fragrant, she is a lovely cool pink that can also play nicely with warm tones. Her high petal count and very deep cup create beautiful texture in an arrangement, and her delicate color intensifying in the center lets her bridge from white into more intense pinks.

After my first plant needed to be removed due to suspected disease, I have been thrilled that my new plants that were planted in 2023 as bare roots are already pumping out blooms. The plants are spread out in the garden in a variety of conditions and watering zones, including one in a container, and all are growing well. This romantic rose is a must-grow for the cottage cutting garden.

Crown Princess Margareta

As you can probably tell by now, I have a soft spot for peachy-pink roses in my garden, and Crown Princess Margareta is an apricot stunner. This climber has finally recovered from being transplanted this season, and has put out beautiful fresh new canes that should bring summer and fall flushes. She can read as yellow at times but with a peachy undertone that lets her bridge both in an arrangement, and looks gorgeous and full from early bud stage to fully opened blooms.

I hope you enjoyed this roundup of my favorite cut garden roses. Once we get through this particularly harsh japanese beetle season, I look forward to sharing more fresh floral arrangements here, so check back soon!

Always with flowers,