Thornless Roses: A Gardener’s Dream
Roses are beautiful flowers, but their thorns can be a nuisance. For centuries, rose breeders have worked to create roses without thorns, and today, there are many varieties of thornless roses available.
The History of Thornless Roses
The first thornless rose was created by accident in the early 1900s by a rose breeder named Harvey Davidson. Davidson was experimenting with ways to create hardier and more disease-resistant roses when he discovered a mutation that resulted in a rose with no thorns. This rose was named ‘Smooth Sailing’, and it is the ancestor of all modern thornless roses.
Characteristics of Smooth Touch Roses
Smooth Touch roses are a group of hybrid tea and floribunda roses that are known for their lack of thorns. They are also very hardy and disease resistant, making them a good choice for gardeners of all levels.
Different Varieties of Smooth Touch Roses
There are many different varieties of Smooth Touch roses available, each with its own unique color and bloom form. Some of the most popular varieties include:
- Smooth Angel Rose: A fragrant, cream-colored rose with a glowing apricot/yellow center.
- Smooth Velvet Rose: A deep red rose with velvety petals and a strong fragrance.
- Smooth Buttercup Rose: A cheerful yellow rose with a light, sweet fragrance.
- Smooth Satin Rose: A blend of apricot, coral, and pink with a delightful perfume-like fragrance.
- Smooth Lady Rose: A soft salmon pink rose with a sweet fragrance.
- Smooth Prince Rose: A royal rose with glowing cerise-pink blooms and a quick repeat bloom cycle.
- Smooth Delight Rose: A large, soft shell-pink rose with a radiant apricot center and a sweet fragrance.
- Smooth Ballerina Rose: A captivating rose with an explosion of color variations and a wonderful fragrance.
- Smooth Queen Rose: A compact rose with beautiful yellow blooms with softly ruffled edges and a light, sweet perfume.
Tips for Growing Smooth Touch Roses
Smooth Touch roses are easy to grow and care for. They prefer full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. Water them regularly, especially during hot weather, and fertilize them monthly during the growing season.
Benefits of Growing Smooth Touch Roses
There are many benefits to growing Smooth Touch roses. They are:
- Beautiful: Smooth Touch roses come in a wide range of colors and bloom forms, so you can find the perfect rose to complement your garden.
- Easy to care for: Smooth Touch roses are low-maintenance and easy to grow, even for beginners.
- Versatile: Smooth Touch roses can be grown in beds, borders, containers, or as climbers.
- Attractive to pollinators: Smooth Touch roses are a favorite of bees and butterflies.
How to Care for Smooth Touch Roses
Smooth Touch roses require minimal care. Here are a few tips to keep your roses healthy and blooming:
- Water: Water your roses regularly, especially during hot weather.
- Fertilize: Fertilize your roses monthly during the growing season.
- Prune: Prune your roses in the spring to remove dead or diseased canes.
- Mulch: Mulch around your roses to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.
Where to Buy Smooth Touch Roses
Smooth Touch roses are available at most garden centers and online retailers. When choosing a rose, be sure to select a variety that is well-suited to your climate and growing conditions.
With their beautiful blooms, easy care, and versatility, Smooth Touch roses are a great addition to any garden.
