Roses that lack thorns (actually, prickles) are rare but very desirable. They are especially good choices for areas where children play and along walkways and paths where people pass by. Pruning thornless roses takes on a whole new character as does flower arranging. Who really likes working with plants that grab at your clothes and claw you hands, arms, and legs? Some types of roses, like Polyanthas, have less thorns than most, and a small number of roses are almost thornless. An even smaller number are classified as thornless
Here’s a list of roses that are considered thornless and have ARS ratings of 8.0 or better. It is interesting to notice that all but one are old garden roses most of which bloom only once.
‘Mme. Legras de St. Germain’
The flowers are borne in loose clusters of three to nine on supple stems with pale, gray-green leaves. A mass of creamy white petals surround a button eye which appears as a hole when the flowers mature and reflex. Plants can be trained as a climber.
Type:
-
- Alba
Flower Size:
-
- 3.5”
Flowering:
-
- Once only
Plant Size:
-
- 8’ H x 5’ W
Hardiness:
-
- Zone 5
ARS Score:
- 8.1
‘Mme. Plantier
‘ The light pink flowers quickly turn white as they open to reveal a mass of petals around a green button central eye. They have a mild musky scent and are borne in clusters of five to twenty. Plants are busy and vigorous and have small, pale green leaves.
Type:
-
- Alba-Noisette hybrid
Flower Size:
-
- 2.8
Flowering:
-
- Only once
Plant Size:
-
- 13’ H x 8” W
Hardiness:
-
- Zone 4
ARS Score:
- 8.9
‘Smooth Prince’
With large-medium reddish-pink flowers that are produced in flushes all season, Smooth Prince is an outstanding thornless rose. The petals have a thick texture and are satiny inside and out. Flowers last a long time on the bush and in the vase. Leathery, glossy dark leaves are dark green and have very good mildew and blackspot resistance.
Type:
-
- Hybrid Tea
Flower Size
-
- : 4.5″
Flowering:
-
- Continuous
Plant Size:
-
- 4-5’ H x 4-5’ W
Hardiness:
-
- Zone 6
ARS Score:
- 8.2
Tausendschon
The flowers are deep rose pink with creamy centers when they open but fade to creamy white. They have ruffled petals and are borne in clusters of twenty to forty. Leaves are soft green.
Type:
-
- Hybrid multiflora
Flower Size:
-
- 2.4
Flowering:
-
- Only once
Plant Size:
-
- 16’ H x 9’ W
Hardiness:
-
- Zone 5
ARS
- Score: 8.7
‘Veilchenblau’
Large clusters of ten to thirty small flowers are reddish purple at first, then turn dark blue violet before fading to lilac. White streaks may run from the center to the tips of the petal. Since the flowers stay on the plant for a long time all the colors are usually seen on the plant at the same time. The large leaves are pale green.
Type:
-
- Hybrid Multiflora
Flower Size:
-
- 1.4”
Flowering:
-
- Once only, early in the season
Size:
-
- 10’ H x 7’ W
Hardiness:
-
- Zone 5
ARS Score:
- 8.3
‘Zephirine Drouhin’
An old favorite, this rose has cherry pink flowers borne singly or in clusters of three to five. White streaks run from the white centers to the edge of the petals.. This rose is one of the first and las roses to bloom each season. Stems are crimson, new growth is red, and leaves are dull green.
Type:
-
- Bourbon
Flower Size:
-
- 3.5”
Flowering:
-
- Continuous
Size:
-
- 10’ H x 7’ W
Hardiness:
-
- Zone 5
ARS Score:
- 8.0
