If you yearn for the classic hybrid tea, the new cold hardy roses will disappoint; but if you love that true rose fragrance and big loose blowzy blooms, they will delight you. Many of the hardy roses are descended from old rose varieties and possess the characteristics of the antiques.
Successfully growing roses in our climate requires a couple of tricks. Carefully choose the site for your rose garden, selecting a sunny area protected from harsh winds with rich well-drained soil. I maintain two rose gardens, both protected by a corner of the house; and am unable to grow any rose variety that will bloom, except species roses, elsewhere on the property.
The second trick is to pick tough cold hardy rose varieties. Even though I'm zone 4a, I try to pick roses hardy to zone 3. Yes! They exist. Most of the Agriculture Canada roses are hardy to zone 3. Some are even hardy to zone 2, such as Prairie Joy and the climber William Baffin. Many of the rugosa species are hardy to zone 3; the rest to zone 4, making these rugged little roses just about fool proof.
The vigorous growth of species roses may satisfy your cravings if you aren't fussy about having double blooms. Many of these roses are hardy to at least zone 4 and most require no care whatsoever. Several grow as large hedges and the only drawback to species roses is that they usually bloom only once. Some excellent varieties are Harrison's Yellow, Rosa Pomifera, Rosa rubrifolia, Stanwell Perpetual, Persian Yellow, and Rosa spinosissima. All of these flower in profusion and fill the air with a heady perfume.
The miniature rose was introduced to the world in the early 1920's and has been charming growers ever since. These mighty midgets are nearly impossible to kill when planted outdoors. They are the only roses a friend of mine, who is a terrible gardener, can grow! Many fail with minis because they try to keep them inside in a pot. Miniature roses need a long dormant period before rebloom and northern New England provides the perfect environment for that requirement.
If you feel you must have hybrid teas, try the Sub-Zero Roses. I planted Charlotte Brownell in a north-facing corner and she survives my zone 4a winters fairly well with no protection. Though not spectacular in growth habit and bloom, these may be hardy performers for you.
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