Rosa spp. 'Grandiflora Group'
grandiflora roses
Complex hybrid origin — developed in the United States; the class was created in 1954 for 'Queen Elizabeth' (a hybrid tea × floribunda cross)
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Overview
Rosa (Grandiflora Group) includes grandiflora roses, tall upright deciduous shrubs growing 4-8 feet (1.2-2.4 m) tall and 3-4 feet (0.9-1.2 m) wide. Hybrid-tea-shaped (high-centered) flowers 3-5 inches (7-13 cm) borne singly or in small clusters of 3-5 per stem — combining the large flower size of hybrid teas with the cluster habit of floribundas. White, pink, red, yellow, orange, or bicolor depending on cultivar. Repeat-blooming from May through October. Moderately fragrant (cultivar-dependent). Glossy dark green pinnately compound leaves with 5-7 serrated leaflets. In Rosaceae. The grandiflora class was created in 1954 for 'Queen Elizabeth' — a hybrid tea × floribunda cross that was too tall for the floribunda class. The tall upright stature (4-8 feet / 1.2-2.4 m) requires placement at the back of rose beds — the bare lower stems are visible from the front. This leggy bare-stemmed lower habit is the primary aesthetic limitation. Black spot, powdery mildew, and Japanese beetles require monitoring or spraying. Disease-resistant cultivars: 'Queen Elizabeth' (pink, vigorous), 'Gold Medal' (yellow), 'About Face' (orange-gold bicolor). Not drought-tolerant. Winter protection in zones 5-6 (mulch over graft union). Deer browse. Non-toxic. Zones 5-9. Full sun. Growth rate is fast.
Native Range
Complex hybrid origin — developed in the United States. The class was created in 1954 for 'Queen Elizabeth', a hybrid tea × floribunda cross.Suggested Uses
Grown at the back of rose beds, in borders, and as a hedge spaced 3-4 feet (0.9-1.2 m). Tall upright habit — place behind shorter roses. Large flowers on tall stems for cutting. High maintenance. Non-toxic. Zones 5-9.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height4' - 8'
Width/Spread3' - 4'
Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years
Bloom Information
Late spring through fall (May-October). High-centered flowers 3-5 inches (7-13 cm) singly or in small clusters of 3-5 per stem. White, pink, red, yellow, orange, or bicolor. Moderately fragrant (cultivar-dependent). 20 weeks of repeat bloom. Deadhead for continuous flowering. Bee- and butterfly-visited.Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Variable by cultivar — white, pink, red, yellow, orange, and bicolor; 3-5 inches (7-13 cm) across; hybrid-tea-shaped (high-centered) blooms borne singly or in small clusters of 3-5 per stemFoliage Description
Glossy dark green, pinnately compound with 5-7 serrated leaflets each 1-2.5 inches (2.5-6 cm)Growing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Full sun (6+ hours). Well-drained soil pH 6.0-7.0. Not drought-tolerant — 1 inch (2.5 cm) water per week. Black spot and powdery mildew — choose disease-resistant cultivars. Japanese beetles in zones 5-7. Deadhead spent flowers. Winter protection in zones 5-6. Prune in late winter (February-March). High maintenance. Deer browse. Non-toxic. Zones 5-9.Pruning
Prune in late winter (February-March) before new growth. Remove dead, damaged, and thin canes. Shorten remaining canes to 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) — longer than floribundas to maintain the taller stature. Cut to an outward-facing bud. Open the center for air circulation. Remove below-graft suckers.Pruning Schedule
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early spring