We have Walter Lammerts to thank for the Grandifloras. He created a rose type that didn’t quite fit into existing groups. They were similar to Hybrid Teas, in that they had that typical high center, and large showy blooms.
Yet they also inherited the Floribuba trait of blooming in sprays rather than on single stems. And to top it off, they would grow taller than either of these, 6-8′ was not uncommon.
The first of these was the “Queen Elizabeth” which is still popular more than 60 years later.
So, What Exactly Is A Grandiflora?
If we look at the name we would assume it means something along the lines of “Big Flowers”. But perhaps it would be slightly more accurate to say “Lots of flowers”, as that is one way to distinguish a Grandiflora from a Hybrid Tea rose.
Grandiflora roses sit somewhere between hybrid teas and floribundas, which is why they can be a little hard to explain neatly.
Hybrid tea roses are usually grown for large, well-shaped blooms, often one flower to a stem. Floribundas are usually grown for clusters of flowers and a good all-over garden display. Grandifloras try to bring those two qualities together.
A good grandiflora rose can have the tall, elegant growth and large blooms you associate with hybrid teas, but with more flowers carried in clusters or small sprays. They are often taller and more upright than many floribundas, which makes them useful when you want height as well as color.
Growing Grandiflora Roses in the Garden
Grandiflora roses are best used where they have room to grow. Many are tall, upright plants, so they can look very good toward the back of a rose bed or mixed border, where their height becomes an advantage rather than a problem.
They can also be useful where you want a rose that makes a strong statement. A grandiflora is not usually the rose I would choose for the front edge of a small border, but in the right place it can be impressive, especially when it is carrying clusters of large blooms.
Because of their height, some grandifloras may need a little support in windy areas, or at least a position where they are not constantly battered. Good pruning also helps keep them balanced, because a tall rose can look awkward if it is allowed to become leggy and bare at the base.
Like most roses, they appreciate good sun, decent air movement, regular feeding, and deep watering. If they are given enough space and looked after properly, grandifloras can reward you with big flowers, repeat bloom, and a strong vertical shape in the garden.
Where Grandifloras Work Best
Grandifloras work well in rose beds, larger borders, formal plantings, and gardens where you want roses with height. They can also be useful as background roses behind lower-growing floribundas, perennials, or smaller shrubs.
They are often good cutting roses too, because many have large blooms and long stems. If you like bringing roses indoors, that can be a real advantage.
I think grandifloras are especially useful for gardeners who like the look of hybrid tea roses but want a little more garden display. They give you some of that classic rose shape, but often with a fuller show on the bush.
Featured: Queen Elizabeth
Queen Elizabeth is the rose that really put grandifloras on the map. Bred by Walter Lammerts and introduced in 1954, it combined the height and elegance of a hybrid tea with the generous flowering habit that helped define the grandiflora class.
It is tall, graceful, and upright, with clear pink blooms carried above the foliage. Even today, Queen Elizabeth remains one of the best-known grandiflora roses, and it still shows why this rose type was worth naming in the first place.
Grandiflora Roses Worth Knowing
Queen Elizabeth is the obvious grandiflora to mention first, because it helped define the class. It has tall growth, clear pink flowers, and a graceful, upright habit. It became popular for a reason and is still one of the best-known examples of the type.
Tournament of Roses is another grandiflora worth knowing. It has soft pink blooms and a good garden presence, with the sort of generous flowering that makes grandifloras useful rather than just showy.
Gold Medal is a warm golden-yellow grandiflora with large blooms and strong color. It is a good choice if you want a grandiflora that brings brightness and impact to the garden.
Montezuma is a coral-orange grandiflora with a bold, warm color. It shows how grandifloras are not limited to soft pinks and traditional rose shades.
About Face is a striking orange grandiflora with rich coloring and strong garden impact. It is the sort of rose that draws attention, so it suits a position where you want a feature rather than something quiet.
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