Varieties and Shapes of Rose Buds

Hybrid Teas

• Hybrid tea roses have existed since the first one was introduced in 1867. Among the best known is "Peace" (Rosa "Peace"), hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 9. Each yellow and pink "Peace" flower, like those of other hybrid teas, features a large, almost teardrop-shaped bud with a high center. The petals unfurl gradually, with the central petals retaining the bud shape until the flower is fully opened. Floribunda roses, like "Iceberg" (Rosa "Iceberg"), hardy in USDA zones 5 through 9, often have a similar bud form, with buds borne in clusters.

Single Roses

• Roses with a single row of petals fit into several categories, including species roses, shrub roses and, sometimes even hybrid tea roses. Because of the smaller petal count, these roses sometimes feature very slim, elongated buds. The single rose "Mutabilis" (Rosa "Mutabilis") is an old China rose, hardy in USDA zones 7b through 10b. It bears 4 to 8 petals that initially are folded into very slender buds. The buds unfurl rapidly into peachy yellow flowers that age to pink and finally red.

Rounded Buds

• Some roses, especially small-flowered cluster-bearing types, like polyanthas, feature small, round buds. A classic polyantha, "The Fairy" (Rosa "The Fairy"), hardy in USDA zones 4b through 9b, bears pearl-like pink buds that open to many-petaled flowers that are only about 1.5 inches in diameter. Similar round buds are characteristic of "Baby Faurax" (Rosa "Baby Faurax"), a purple-blend polyantha, hardy in USDA zones 5b through 10b. A larger rose with rounded buds is the large-flowered climber "Eden" or Pierre de Ronsard (Rosa "Eden"), hardy in USDA zones 5b through 9b, which features pinkish buds tinged with pale green.

Moss Roses

• Moss roses, like the majority of heirloom and modern shrub roses, generally feature buds formed into a large or small rounded teardrop shape. Moss roses, bred mostly in the 19th and early 20th centuries have an added feature. The sepals that form the calyx, or husk that encloses each bud before it unfurls, are covered with fine glands -- either stiff or soft -- that resemble moss. This gives the appearance of buds that are whiskered or bristled.