Roses That Can Take (Some) Shade

     Right now, roses are arriving at area nurseries, a bargain in bare root form. As you browse the many selections available, remember that most roses need more than six hours of direct sunlight a day to bloom well. 



What's a rose-loving gardener to do with a yard that has more shade than sun?

     According to Sacramento-based Consulting Rosarian Pam Myczek of the American Rose Society, you may be in luck. She has compiled a list of roses that may be successful in a planting area that gets only four to six hours of sun each day. 

As always, all gardening is local. Although these roses will succeed in the Central Valley, Foothills and warmer parts of the Bay Area of Northern California, your luck may vary.  Look for these shade-tolerant varieties on your shopping trips:
 

• White roses: 

Gourmet Popcorn

Iceberg

Sally Holmes

Also: Madame Hardy, Sea Foam

 

• Apricot-colored roses: 

Valencia

 












Also: Evelyn, Buff Beauty
 

• Orange-blend roses: 

Just Joey

Bill Warriner

 

Touch of Class

 



























Also: Victoria Park
 

• Mauve roses: 

Angel Face

Also: Kaleidoscope, Lavender Lassie
 

• Red roses:

Asso di Cuori

Mr. Lincoln

Playboy

 

 Also: Europeana, Lavaglut

• Pink roses:

Secret

Baby Grand

Miss Ada

Also: Savoy Hotel, Cape Cod, Flower Girl
 

• Yellow roses: 

Elina

Gold Medal

St. Patrick

Sunsprite

Also: Graham Thomas, Mutabilis

Valley rosarian Lance Walheim, author of the books, "Roses for Dummies" and "The Natural Rose Gardener" recommends these hybrid tea roses for light shade gardens:


 

Brandy (apricot/orange)

Garden Party (creamy white with a hint of pink)

Voodoo (peach/yellow)

 




Also: Swarthmore (red)


In our own garden, three hybrid tea roses - 

Pink Peace

Fragrant Cloud

Oklahoma









- are doing well on the north side of the house, where they get primarily early morning and late afternoon sun.

For more of Myczek's "shady roses" selections, visit the Sacramento Rose Society website. Thanks to Baldo Villegas and the SRS for use of many of these photos.