Roses: Australia's Favourite Floribunda Roses

Bush Roses which are compact in shape,

Shrub Roses which tend to spread,

Landscape Hedge Roses because they are larger, tall and robust and

Landscape Groundcover Roses are a lower procumbent group.

Of course Climbers, Miniatures and Stem Roses can be Floribundas although they are not exclusively. The Miniatures are often Polyanthus X Floribunda hybrids, such as the new Rosanova Parade Roses® and the climbers can represent any group of Roses a feature frequently overlooked in Rose catalogues and Rose books. Of course almost any Rose can be budded onto a tall stem, to develop as a Standard or Stem Rose, which is the preferred term to call them these days.

When looking for Australia's best cultivars from each group, bear in mind that these do well in my region in Adelaide SA, which has a Mediterranean climate, but that others may be better suited to you if you live in an area influenced by summer rainfall.

There are some charming Floribunda roses grown as Stem Roses and 'Seduction' would be my all time favourite. It's a sensuous semi-double reminiscence of chiffon that has a classical fragrant bud flushed pink in the centre that reverses as it opens to reveal a pale pink edged petal with ivory heart.

The Stem and Bush forms of roses can be pruned twice a year during the growing season with hedge trimmers so that they flower all spring, summer and autumn in southern states. All of the Floribundas can be lightly pruned with hedge trimmers and in fact so can the Hybrid Teas, but of course if you are growing exhibition varieties you are unlikely to prune with other than the trusty Felco® secateurs. By a light prune I mean remove the dead flower heads and about 10 centimetres of tip growth. They very quickly create a flush of buds and from a February trim will be flowering again in eight weeks or 53 days to be more precise in Adelaide.

If you have one of those ubiquitous hedges of the Shrub Floribunda 'Iceberg' you might trim alternate plants so you have a continuous flowering.

Floribunda and Landscape roses are definitely for the romantic at heart and for those who can't see the merit in tedious winter days spent pruning, since with a quick swipe from a hedge-trimmer... miracle maintenance is performed in an instant.

Floribunda Bush Roses: (the bracketed name) is a universal descriptor used by modern rose breeders, to allay fears of replication due to the fact that the same cultivar could have been registered by different names in a range of countries, but this universal name is constant. is a universal descriptor used by modern rose breeders, to allay fears of replication due to the fact that the same cultivar could have been registered by different names in a range of countries, but this universal name is constant.

Carries dense clusters of cloudy pink semi-double blooms similar to Bonica, that unlike Bonica, fade white as they age. Leaves are a robust deep green. Flowers from October to as late as May in Adelaide.

Height to 1.5 metres with a spread of 2 to 3 metres and a strong arching habit in the canes. Plant it to trail or in a bed where it can ramble. Introduced in 1992, from Meilland, near Lyon in France and it is synonymous with Denise Grey 1988, but not to be confused with the Hybrid Tea rose, Caprice de Meilland.

Large fragrant flowers in clusters of coral pink blooms that fade on the outer petals to a soft shell pink and even when fully blown, maintain their shape. The foliage is usually a luscious green, even on alkaline soils. A compact bush to 1.5 metres. Plant en masse in bedding schemes. A particularly hardy rose, even after a bout of very hot weather in summer. Introduced to Australia in 1993 from Meilland in France and synonymous with Jacqueline Nebout® 1989 in Europe. Introduced to mark the first Rose Festival in the "Rose Capital", Adelaide.

A prolific flowering shrub rose with large rich pink ruffled semi-double flowers, cream at the centre. The foliage can become a rather chlorotic yellow on limestone soils and in Adelaide, it generally needs treatment with iron chelates. Flowers all through the warm season. Makes a compact bush to 1.4 metres and with a similar spread. Plant in groups at 2 metre centres in full sun and mulch heavily. Needs more attention to fertilizing on poor soils than most roses. Appears to be a robust disease free rose in a Mediterranean climate. Introduced 1976 from Meilland in France.

Escapade (Harpade)

A mildly musk scented rose with virtually single pale lilac flowers and ivory tints around prominent stamens. The deep cerise buds are a charming contrast. Leaves are a semi gloss light green. Flowers on a spreading bush 1.4 metres high and 1.1 metres wide. Plant densely for a border effect. Benefits from a summer trimming of a third of its foliage in February to be back in full bloom 8 weeks later. Seems resistant to disease in a warm dry climate. Introduced 1967 and bred by Harkness in Britain from Pink Parfait X Baby Faurax.

It has modest sized double flowers that open rather flat, but the early morning sun on their deep crimson blooms and the stunning young maroon foliage makes them literally glow. The leaves are highly glossy deep green and maroon on the young foliage. Flowers prolifically.

Grows to a squat bush of 0.7 metres high and wide and resents alkaline soil. Noted rosarian, the late Deane Ross, claimed that planted with a contrasting white flowering rose such as Edelweiss, the effect would be stunning. It sure is! Introduced 1963 from de Ruiter in The Netherlands.

This is a real surprise because the dense heads of double orange-gold flowers age to a very rich russet red and have a rich fruit-like fragrance.

Leaves are deep glossy green. Flowering is continuous over extended periods. A compact small bush that seldom exceeds 50cm in height. Planted as a medium small bush it can create a good gradation from miniatures in a border to taller shrub roses. Introduced 1985 from Meilland in France.

The clear lemon-gold double flowers cover the robust bushes.

The rich green leaves make this a feature plant in many rose collections even near the coast! The bushes grow to a metre and they hardly every seem to be without flowers. Plant it to make a statement, like alongside your letterbox. This is a disease-free cultivar, which has made it very popular in warm climates. Introduced 1978 by Paulino in France, synonymous with Gold Badge and Rimosa '79. There is also a Climbing Gold Bunny (Meigro-Nurisar) introduced 1986 from Meilland in France.

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Flowers are a curious cerise to mulberry colour with a paler underside to its double fragrant blooms. Dull green leaves. Flowers sparingly unless fed frequently. Grows to 1.3 metres and about as wide. Would need to be carefully located alongside compatible blue or white roses, since the red or orange flowering roses seem to cause a visual aggravation. Seems to need regular attention to Blackspot, but then in micro-irrigated rose collections, what doesn't? Introduced 1973 from Le Grice in Britain.

Has dense heads of the most brilliant scarlet double flowers. The new foliage is a sensational rich maroon, even in mid summer. It also flowers exceptionally well during very hot weather, so I'm not sure if the name is for the flower colour or its hardiness to a heat wave! Makes a compact bush to 70cm in height. Plant it around a pool or summer entertainment area for best effect. Introduced 1958 from Swim in the USA, synonymous with Mme. Paula Guisez, but does not appear to be widely grown or offered for sale in Australia. Adelaide City Council have it in their Veale Gardens.

Has very similar colours to 'Hannah Gordon' but with a more formal double shape and tighter buds. Flowers well with afternoon shade, but with needs at least five hours morning sun, as for most roses. Grows to 1.4 metres and as wide. Seems to flower at its best in the 'Indian Summer' of autumn in Adelaide. Introduced internationally in 1970 and to the local market in 1971 by the Dawson Garden Centre, Forrestfield in WA.

This rose was launched to commemorate South Australia's Sesquicentennial or Jubilee 150 in 1986. It's a semi-double that opens from deep golden buds to reveal a gold heart to outer petals of orange-red.

The leaves are a semi-gloss deep green that provide the perfect foil for such a bold, hussy of a flower. The blooms are surprisingly long lasting and retain their colour as they age. The bush will reach 1.3 metres and as wide. It was widely planted in SA during the 150 celebrations, but really deserves a wider interest these days. Introduced to Australia 1985 by Meilland of France and synonymous with Chacok, Fakir, Pigalle® and Pigalle '84 in Europe.

Masses of brilliant letter-box red rippled semi-double flowers in large clusters make this a stunning bush rose. It also makes a charming Stem rose, providing it is hedge-pruned fairly hard. The leaves are mid green and vigorous. Grows to 1.5 metres tall but spreads only 90cm, so summer trimming certainly aids its repeat flowering in autumn. In common with so many Meilland-bred roses, it is relatively disease free. Introduced 1985 but only registered in 1988 by Meilland of France and named after the patriarch, Alain Meilland's son.

A most outstanding rose in bloom. It's a very free-flowering semi-double with a range of pinks from flesh through to carmine and ivory in the heart of each lightly perfumed flower. The leaves are a rich mid green and always seem healthy. Responds well to summer trimming to be back in full bloom within 8 weeks. The bushes grow to 1.3 metres tall and spread to 75cm. Ideal solitary specimen, even in a lawn, since it does not readily get fungal diseases. Introduced 1960 by Swim of the USA.

One of the 'hand-painted series' where the blooms look like they've been splashed with contrasting colours. The sweet lightly fragrant semi-double carmine flowers have a prominent yellow centre of anthers as they mature. Leaves are a very deep green and features contrasting maroon new foliage. The flowers are at their best at each end of the hot season, with flowers increasing in size in the cool of autumn. Grows to only 1 metre with a 1.5 metre spread. Somewhat resistant to fungal disease in humid areas. Introduced 1979 by New Zealand's Sam McGredy.

A long display of candy-pink blooms that fade as they age and retain the contrasting white centre to each flower is your reward for planting this hardy rose. Very popular in municipal townscapes for colour under shaded trees however it flowers even better in full sun! Leaves of mid green, but prone to two spotted mite attract in shaded areas.

Flowers virtually non-spot in its growth season. Height to 1.5 metres and similar spread. Planted en masse for best effect. Introduced to Australia in 1987 by Meilland of France, synonymous with Lutin®.

Simply Magic (Meitobla) (Meitobla)

A most impressive border bush rose that makes a very bold flowering impression most of the year. Its masses of deep pink fragrant blooms on hardy disease free glossy green bushes are a delight. This is the perfect rose for the novice! Grows to no more than 50cm and is only defined as a bush rose because of its regular habit, otherwise it would be a landscape rose and probably is anyhow, which just proves how insignificant these tags are anyhow. Introduced to Australia in 1993 from Meilland in France, synonymous Les Amoureuix de Peynet® 1992.

Has semi-double almost tangerine coloured blooms on longer stems than most Floribundas, which make it good for cut flowers. The leaves are a highly glossy deep green and are not upstaged by the bold blooms, especially when putting on the fresh bronze new growth. Flowers well even late in May, but it's a bold-as-brass flower colour that intimidates the romantics in the flower garden. If you're not easily intimidated, them it's really worthy of your garden! Grows to 1.7 metres and up to 1 metre wide. Introduced 1982 from Meilland in France.

An oldie but a goodie. It is a most prolific tiny double flowering pink bush rose and deserves a place in every rose collection. The small leaves are a deep rich glossy green. Grows to 50cm and will trail to nearly 2 metres, so plant it to trail or keep it clipped. It would be one of our most easily grown roses and planted with Simply Magic® they make an irresistible pair. Like most roses that stand the test of time, it is pretty disease free. Introduced 1932 from Bentall in Britain, synonymous with Fairy and Féerie in Europe. It is actually a Polyanthus type, but too good a bush rose to overlook.

Named after the International Women's organisation of that name. The small clear bright yellow semi-double ruffled flowers just beg for attention.

Leaves are bright green and healthy looking. The flowers last a long time when cut for indoors display. It grows to 40cm and 50cm wide, cute and compact, a bit like a large miniature. Plant it near a path for compliments! Introduced 1985, from Harkness of Britain, synonymous with Zonta, Brite Lites and Princess Alice®.

Apricot Gem

Has large terminal heads of fairly small bright apricot-orange blooms. Leaves are a bright glossy green and it will make an open shrub to 1.5 metres tall and spread 1.6 metres. For visual harmony it would need to be planted in some robust company or with other buff coloured roses, like the HT Spirit of Peace or the Floribunda Apricot Nectar. Introduced to Australia 1991 from Delbard-Chabert in France, where it was released 1978.

The very fragrant pale apricot blush on its semi-double flowers, made it Australia's most popular rose in 1993. Deep green leaves. Flowers its head off! If there was a problem with this rose it would be that it needs regular attention to dis-bud it frequently or the flowers heads get too large and heavy. They also obscure the buds keen to emerge. Grows to 1.5 metres and 1.8 metres wide. The fragrant blooms smell best early morning and at dusk so plant to get the benefits. Introduced 1965 from Boerner in the USA.

Bonica (var. Meidomonac)

Small pastel pink semi-double flowers that erupt in bloom from prominent clusters on the shrub. While it only grows to 1.2m in height, it will spread to 1.5m. Responds well to an annual hedge-pruning, where a half of the bush is removed. Small dark green leaves make a good contrast to the red rose hips that it retains all year. Widely planted by councils because it's so easily maintained in public places. Introduced 1982 from Meilland in France, synonymous with Bonica '82, Bonica Meidiland® and Demon, which seems unfair!

Ellen Poulsen

This is not a very well known rose, but its 2cm rich fairy-floss pink semi-double flowers are in large clusters all through the warm season and it should be more widely enjoyed. It grows to about 1.3 metres and spreads up to 1.8 metres. Introduced 1911 from Poulsen in Denmark, it is actually a Polyantha rose, but makes a lovely shrub too.

Goldmarie (Korfalt) (Korfalt)

A big bold golden double flowered shrub rose that looks for all the world like the Gina Lollobrigida (Meilivar) Hybrid Tea rose from Meilland. The flowers have long stems that would make ideal cut blooms. The lush deep green leaves are a feature of this rose, but alas the perfume is not. A height and spread of 1.5 metres can be expected. Introduced 1984 from Kordes in Germany, synonymous with Goldmarie '82®.

It has large cluster heads of cerise pink fringed flowers that are a pale ivory on the underside and internally. climates. The leaves are a full gloss mid green. The bush grows to 1.2 metres tall and 1 metre wide in warm dry climates. Introduced 1983 from Kordes in Germany, synonymous with Raspberry Ice, but not to be confused with other Raspberry Ice cultivars (Zipberry) & (Kortabis), which are not Hannah Gordon.

Iceberg (Korbin) (Korbin)

There are probably more wedding photos taken with this as a backdrop than any other rose in Australia. It is our most prolific rose. A semi-double white that tints pale pink when the cool of autumn sets in. The masses of flower make a lovely display all spring, summer and autumn. The bushes grow 1.6m tall and there is a climbing variety which looks wonderful growing on a loggia and of course the stem versions are popular too, maintaining their height at whatever they were when you planted them. Introduced 1958 from Kordes in Germany, synonymous with Fée des Neiges and Schneewittchen in Europe. There has recently been a Pink Iceberg released too.

This a classic bud shape that unfurls the most charming soft pink double flowers which retain an ivory-pink centre. Leaves are rich dull green. Makes an erect shrub to 1.4 metres and 1 metre wide. Plant it where you will appreciate the subtle fragrance in the late afternoon, when you water it. Introduced 1975 by McGredy from New Zealand, synonymous with Madame President. Another rose frequently stated to be an Hybrid Tea by some and a Floribunda by others. Either way, it makes a superb shrub rose.

A clear pale pink ruffled semi-double rose with long stemmed clusters of delicately scented blooms that make it a delight to cut for display. Favoured by those who do not want to be overpowered with strong fragrances indoors. The buds are a deeper pink than the flowers and as they age in cool weather, they colour to a deeper hue. A very tall shrub rose, to at least 2.7 metres if you let it and a modest spread of 1.3 metres. One of our hardiest and most disease resistant roses. Introduced 1954 from Lammerts in the USA, synonymous with The Queen Elizabeth Rose and Queen of England.

The blooms have an incredible translucency about them. A prolific flowering rose, with almost single undulating cream petals fringed in the palest lilac-pink. Leaves are a rich glossy green and the bushes make compact shrubs of up to 1 metre in height and as wide. It has been widely planted in recent times to almost rival Iceberg in some areas. It is certainly a more sensuous bloom. A favourite cut flower because the cute buds last so long indoors and still open with fragrance. Introduced 1988 by Meilland of France, synonymous with Matilda®, Charles Aznavour and Pearl of Bedfordview.

Interesting snippets

A big bold and full double bloom of a pale lilac-pink, with ivory deeper in on the petals, that heavily reflex as they age. Leaves are a very dark green, with bronze tips on the new foliage. Grows to 75cm and as wide. Introduced 1964 by McGredy who was a resident of Britain in those days.

An outstanding hardy, disease resistant and free-flowering hedge-shaped bush rose, in the landscaping style. It does not form the neat shape of the shrub or bush Floribunda rose, but looks like a thicket. The flowers are saturated rich pink and fragrant, as well as being silver lined on the underside. Leaves are a dull blue green. The thicket of canes will grow to 1.2m and spreads to 90cm making it a keenly sought after landscape subject. Introduced to Australia in 1992 by Meilland of France where it was released in 1990. Synonymous with Dynastie in Europe.

La Sevillana® (Meigekanu)

This hedge rose makes a stunning wall of semi-double scarlet blooms when trimmed as a hedge. It will grow to 1.5m and attain 90cm in width. There is also a 'Pink La Sevillana' (Meigeroka) 1985, but with so many good pink Hedge Roses, it doesn't get a Guernsey for my money. Both need the annual short-back-and-sides to flower prolifically each year. The leaves are of the deepest glossy green and quite resistant to the usual eating grubs and fungal attack. Introduced 1978 from Meilland in France.

The flowers are relatively small semi-double cerise pink, fading to cream at the base. The leaves are a very rich green and their hardiness is this plant's main attribute. A small hedge subject to 70cm and as wide. Introduced 1993 by Meilland in France, but 1996 in Australia, synonymous with Magic Meillandécor®. The Meilland dynasty seem to have a monopoly on the hardy landscape style roses, but that's because they started to breed and select this style ahead of the pack. Alain Meilland told me last year when he visited Australia, that he's working on yellow landscape roses at present!

A perfectly crafted compact head of small ivory pink blooms in a tight head, reminiscent of Softee. Leaves are quite hard and not easily knocked about by strong winds. Makes a manageable hedge of 1 metre tall and 70cm wide. Disease resistance on all the landscape roses is legendary, so we take it for granted. Introduced 1989, from Meilland of France, synonymous with Pearl Meillandécor®.

Pink Meidiland™ (Meipoque)

The flat open single blooms are reminiscent of enormous apple blossoms.

The small leaves are a pale green. The bushes are strong and upright in habit to 1.7m with a spread of only 90cm and large orange-red hips in winter. As a hedge it needs a heavy trim in winter to force a prolific blooming in spring and summer. On sites with good soils, a trim of one third in late summer will have it back in full flower in 52 days. Introduced 1984 in France from Meilland, synonymous with Schloss Heidegg.

Scarlet Meidiland™ (Meikrotal)

The scarlet semi-double blooms appear to glow in the sunlight, carried high on the thicket-like stems. The bushes grow to 1.3m and have arching canes that spread 1.2m. All the disease resistance you'd expect from a landscape rose. Introduced 1987 from Meilland of France, synonymous with Scarlet Meillandécore.

Alba Meidiland™ (Meiflopan)

A compact landscape rose, with masses of small white flowers that cover the plant in flower. The plant has a habit that will trail over rocks and embankments. The foliage is a very deep green and extremely dense effectively smothering out the weed competition. Only makes a 45cm in height but trails 1.4 metres. Disease resistance is outstanding. Introduced 1987 from Meilland of France, synonymous Alba Meillandécore and Meidiland Alba.

Is a heavily ruffled semi-double clear pink flowering Polyantha rose that flowers with great profusion, covering the small plant. China Doll is frequently seen as a stem rose, where it trails to perfection. It makes a compact groundcover to 40cm at the most. It is quite disease resistant.

Introduced in 1946 from Lammerts in the USA, there is a Climbing China Doll, synonymous with China Doll Weeping, released by Weeks in the USA 1977 in Australia through Melville Nurseries in Carmel WA.

Coral Meidiland™ (Meipopul)

Its almost unnatural single peach blossom-pink flowers are most impressive. It has a very low habit under 40cm in height and spreads to 1m in width and has been widely planted by the Adelaide City Council, most conspicuously near the old Queen Victoria Maternity Hospital on Fullarton Road at Rose Park. Coral Meidiland™ needs the heavy hedge-trimmers' prune in winter to flower densely, as indeed do all the prostrate bedding roses, except Ferdy™. Coral Meidiland™ was introduced 1993 by Meilland of France, synonymous with Douceur Normande® and Sandton City.

The masses of miniature semi-double coral pink blooms extend well into early winter. The bushes grow to 1.5m in height and the arching canes will spread 1.2m, so that planted where it can trail over a retaining wall, it looks stunning. It can easily be contained to a 30cm bedding plant with trimmers, but won;t flower a for a year or two if you do. For the best flowering it should not be pruned at all! The tears that have been shed over this variety are legendary! Introduced 1984 by Suzuki from Japan and sometimes seen spelt as Ferdi.

Flower Carpet™ Apple blossom (Noamel)

A compact landscape bush rose that grows to 80cm high and 1 metre wide. The feature is the profusion of pale pink flowers that really look like apple blossom. The tiny leaves go almost unnoticed when it's in flower.

It flowers all through the rose season (Sept - May) and it is a most hardy variety. There are also sold as stem varieties and they make ideal container plants too, with noted resistance to Blackspot and Powdery Mildew. Introduced in 1995 by Noack of Germany.

Flower Carpet™ Pink (var. Noatraum)

A compact landscape bush rose that grows to 80cm high and 1 metre wide. The flowers are deep cerise pink semi-doubles and it is well suited to hanging basket culture. Flowers 9-10 months of the year and is very disease resistant to Powdery Mildew and Black Spot. This was the original Flower Carpet™ introduced in 1989 by Noack of Germany, that took Australia by storm and firmly established this style of landscape rose.

Flower Carpet™ White (var. Noaschnee)

This has an identical growth habit to the other Flower Carpet™ landscape roses growing to 80cm high and 1 metre wide. The flowers are white and semi-double and it is ideal for containers and hanging baskets. Flowers 9-10 months of the year and is very disease resistant to Powdery Mildew and Black Spot. Introduced in 1992 by Noack of Germany.

The stunning brilliant red flowers on such a small compact bush that usually only makes 75cm with a spread of 60cm is quite a sight in flower.

The dark green leaves are the perfect foil to such bright red flowers. The prolific and savage thorns on its stems, make this popular with plantings to secure borders from intruders! Introduced 1959 from Kordes in Germany and synonymous with Lilli Marlene, Lily Marlene and Lili Marlène. The Climbing Lilli Marlene was introduced in 1983 from Pekmez in France.

Red Meidiland™ (Meineble)

The single red flowers with the white eye, cover this squat groundcover that can be contained to 40cm in height when hedge-trimmed in summer, but will grow to 60cm if left. Its spread is about 1.4m and the bronze-red hips are a feature in autumn and winter. The leaves are able to withstand the most robust of battering from the wind. Introduced in 1989 from Meilland of France, synonymous with Rouge Meillandécore.

A compact shrub that has masses of semi-double creamy-white flowers, with apricot coloured centres. The bushes grow to 75cm high and its canes are strong and spread to 1.5m wide. It's a robust rose as we expect of all the landscape roses and has good disease resistance. Introduced 1983 from Moore in the USA, There is a Climbing Softie that was introduced in 1991 from Poulsen in Denmark.

If I were to only grow one landscape rose, this is it. Masses of the most stunning double white clusters of flowers which open ivory and fade to white. While they flower on huge heads of flower, on closer examination of a solitary bloom, each appears to be composed of three or four roses compressed into one bloom and when planted en masse, they make a sensational sight. The bushes grow to 60cm and spread 1.2m. While they flower well when left unpruned, they can be hedge-trimmed in summer and still rebound with autumn flower. Introduced 1989 from Meilland in France, synonymous with Blanc Meillandécor in Europe.