The third and final division* in the IRAR's classification is Modern Roses. (A fourth division, Miniature Roses, is included here for the purposes of discussion on their landscape usage.) They include
- Hybrid Teas and their climbing varieties
- Floribundas and their climbing varieties
- Grandifloras and their climbing varieties
- Polyanthas and their climbing varieties
- Miniatures and their climbing varieties
- Large Flowered Climbers
- Ramblers
With the exception of the Ramblers, virtually all modern roses are remontant or continuous blooming. That is, they rebloom during the growing season. As such, their use in modern landscape design is as a continuous color display throughout the season. That said, as with everything else, there are a few exceptions to every generalization as just made. For example, there are a few varieties of Ramblers that are continuous blooming, and a few onesies and twosies of the Polyanthas that are once-blooming.
Although some rosarians - those that enjoy exhibiting roses - grow modern roses in clusters for ease of maintenance and grooming, they are best grown as specimens of landscape color. Since many of the moderns tend to be prone to disease, by spreading them out into the landscape less care is required. With roses, the severity of pests and diseases is directly proportional to the distance between the plants. That is, the closer they are planted together, the more pests and disease problems will be observed, and the more pesticides and fungicides will be required.
Roses with the most disease resistance
In this author's experience, the roses that fall into the Modern Rose division with the least pest and disease problems and the most floriferous show of color are the Polyanthas. A very popular member of this group is 'The Fairy', noted for its adaptability to most any garden situation since its introduction in 1932. Growing to 3 - 4 ft. (1 m), 'The Fairy' produces massive clusters of pink blooms on dark green leaves. It is an excellent rose for planting on a mound that focuses the design "eye" to one section of the landscape. Unfortunately, Polyanthas as a group are weak on fragrance, and 'The Fairy' is no exception.
Another Polyantha noted for its disease resistance is 'Perle d'Or'. Growing only 3 - 4 ft. (1 m) produces a salmon-colored bloom in large clusters. It performs well in the heat of summer, and is almost continuously in bloom.
As mentioned before, there are always exceptions to generalizations, and Polyanthas are not without their own. 'Clotilde Soupert', a white with larger than normal blooms for a Polyantha, is infamous for "balling" in humid weather. The term is given to roses that tend to remain closed during high humidity situations (from irrigation or rainy
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