The sight and scent of beautiful roses add to the enjoyment of the warmer months and have been an enduring symbol of love and romance for decades.
Roses provide enjoyment and are a great addition to any garden! A beautiful, soft, velvety bloom is rewarding for any gardener.
Are you curious to know when roses will bloom in your area? Have you noticed roses growing in your backyard?
Read on for our guide to when roses bloom, including a rose bloom calendar, state by state, along with tips for growing roses!
When do roses bloom?
They take their time, but once the spring season is fully underway, you should start to notice roses blooming.
Once the annual growth for roses gets started in warmer weather, roses take around six to eight weeks to develop flowers with the bush, shrub, or climbing rose producing buds at various stages of growth to sustain bloom.
Most Regions – In June, you see the visual spectacle of roses at their most. Most notably, the stunning reds, oranges, yellows, and creamy whites that are undoubtedly associated with this month.
Flowering can seek to be spring and summer flowering, or varieties that continue flowering throughout the fall.
Climate and watering can also determine whether some roses will flower all year.
In fall, flowering usually wraps up, as the roses typically start developing rose hips, which is a common harvest for people that make jam and tea.
Big factor that affects blooming:
If you are looking forward to having some lovely roses this season, be sure that your bushes have the best chance to yield large, full, and sustained blooms.
These six factors are essential in dictating if and when you will have roses:
Location
As we explain below, your location will strongly affect when your roses bloom.
In US USDA plant hardiness zones, roses can thrive between zone 3 to 11. Generally speaking, roses growing in warmer climates will bloom before roses in temperate or cold climates.
Check the table below, to see when roses bloom in your state.
Sunshine
Roses need as much sunshine as possible.
The absolute minimum is five hours per day, but we recommend as much full sun as possible.
Without enough sunshine, you will have “leggy” plants with overly long stems reaching for light rather than developing buds.
Water
Leading up to your flowering period, water your roses regularly, daily throughout the growing season and mulch to help retain moisture.
This is because they are actively growing in sunshine with a greater demand for water and nutrients.
Heads Up! If you stop watering your roses pre-bloom, you may inhibit the rosebush from developing buds!
Feeding
Roses are hungry plants so they must be fed regularly to bring forth their most magnificent blooms.
Do not shy away from adding rich compost, or a forkful of well-rotted manure to the planting hole when planting. Feeds with a quality NPK fertilizer, is the secret to beautiful roses.
There are powerful organic alternatives too; fish, blood, and bone, and compost tea. Start in the spring and feed every two weeks or three weeks until the season is over.
Blind shoots
Blind shoots are frustrating when growing roses.
These are stems that grow with no roses at the end.
Blind shoots could develop because an unexpected frost froze very young buds in spring; however, you can prevent the blind shoots developing by ensuring sufficient sunshine, water, and food for your roses.
Weeds and pests
Weeds and sap sucking pests only sap your roses growth and vigour and are quite often a common reason, for roses unable to bloom.
Works fine – Stay on top to keep the weeds down and spray your roses with garlic juice and neem oil or encourage nature’s natural predators like ladybirds.
Your location in the U.S. will affect when roses will bloom
Roses bloom at different times in different areas depending on your growing zone and location.
In warm southern states, roses bloom before northern states like Nebraska or Ohio.
To learn when roses bloom in your state, please use this helpful chart to explore low-maintenance, hardy local varieties to plant.
| State | USDA plant hardiness zone | Rose blooming time | The best local rose variety |
| Alabama (AL) | 7b to 8b | Late May | Zephyrine Drouhin – this is a classic southern rose variety that has great success and durability in Alabama heat and humidity. |
| Alaska (AK) | 1a to 8b | Mid to late June | Blanda roses or other hardy roses and Scotch roses appear to do better than most other varieties. |
| Arizona (AZ) | 4b to 10b | Late April | Several hybrid tea roses, Chrysler Imperial hybrid tea rose or Double Delight hybrid tea rose. |
| Arkansas (AR) | 6 to 8 | May | Belinda’s dream and Knock Out roses are fast growing, durable shrubs. |
| California (CA) | 5a to 10b | April and late October | There are some great SoCal rose varieties: ‘Playboy’ and ‘Playgirl’ Floribunda roses. Also shrink rose varieties perform very well here. |
| Colorado (CO) | 3 to 7 | Late May/early June | Golden Celebration, Evelyn Jekyll and the Marylin Monroe hybrid teas are wonderful roses for this area. |
| Connecticut (CN) | 5 to 7 | Early June | Rugosa roses, China roses, and David Austin roses will grow well in the NE. Semi-cold hardy varieties: ‘Carefree beauty’ and ‘Quietness’ survive frost. |
| Delaware (DE) | 7a to 7b | Late May/early June | David Austin roses are pure perfection for the mid-atlantic gardener where many teas and old garden roses thrive in a temperate climate |
| Florida (FL) | 8 to 11 | Year-round in southern FL. 9 months for northern FL | Tea roses and old garden roses do beautifully with warm, sunny Florida. Report from University of Florida for Florida’s best roses – ‘Mrs. B.R. Cant’ and ‘Louis Philippe’ and then more modern for Florida would be Knock Out roses. |
| Georgia (GA) | 6 to 9 | May and June, some varieties bloom again in fall. | Native to Georgia, is the Cherokee rose, Rosa laevigata. The Lady Banks rose and the Bourbon rose Zephirine Drouhin are noted. |
| Hawaii (HI) | 11 to 13 | Continually drift common. | Several rose varieties bloom year-round. Most are cultivated and maintained by the Honolulu Rose Society. The island is short varieties such as a Peace rose, Fairhope rose, and Bolero rose. |
| Idaho (ID) | 3 to 7 | Mid to late June | ID roses are more than capable to put up with harsh weather. Hybrid tea roses don’t do well. Look for hardy roses varieties of shrub roses or miniature roses such as April Moon, Hope for Humanity, or Carefree Delight. |
| Illinois (IL) | 6a to 7a | Late May | Shrub roses and David Austin roses have been more reliable – they’re hardier if that matters. Hybrid tea roses do not do well. |
| Indiana (IN) | 5b to 6b | June to fall shrub roses are best for midwest. | Typical popular Indiana varieties that have had good success in Indiana include Knock Out, Earth Song, and Snowcone. |
| Iowa (IA) | 5 | Early June | Knock Out, William Baffin, rugosa roses, Easy Elegance, David Austin roses. |
| Kansas (KS) | 5b to 7a | Mid May shrub roses are best for Midwest. | Common Kansas varieties are Good ‘n Plenty, Knock Out, Earth Song, and Snowcone. |
| Kentucky (KT) | 6a to 7a | May to early June | Many roses do well in Kentucky weather. Hybrid tea roses such as Let Freedom Ring, Olympiad, Denali, Floribundas such as Scentimental and Marmalade Skies, and Grandifloras such as Gold Medal and Octoberfest. |
| Louisiana (LA) | 8 to 9 | April to June and October to early December | LA has one of the longest growing season for roses, Growing roses can be a state tradition and very Southern varieties especially Bourbon roses, China roses and tea roses can make for very nice display. |
| Maine (ME) | 3 to 6 | June | Cold hardy varieties are important. Leaving canes especially hybrid ones through winter and provide protection is important. Container grown roses can be sheltered through the winter months. Use ‘William Baffin’, ‘Purple Pavement’, or Rugosa hybrids. |
| Maryland (MD) | 5b to 8a | Late May to early June | MD has several native species of roses: Rosa virginiana (Virginia Rose), Rosa Carolina (Carolina Rose), and Rosa Blanda (Smooth Rose). |
| Massachusetts (MA) | 5a to 7a | June | Most roses grown in New England will perform well. Rugosa roses, China roses and David Austin roses do well in the Northeastern climates. Most hybrid roses need to be able to tolerate at least a few mild frosts in the spring-fall. Cold hardy roses like ‘Carefree beauty‘ and ‘Quietness‘ tolerate frost. |
| Michigan (MI) | 4a to 6b | Late May | Our best roses in the Midwest seem to be shrub roses. Popular plants include Good ‘n Plenty, Knock Out, Earth Song, and Snowcone. |
| Minnesota (MN) | 3a to 4b | June to July | The best shrub roses for the MN weather and winters are hardy ones. Popular hardy shrub roses in MN include: Northern Accents, ‘Sigrid’, ‘Lena’ and ‘Ole’. |
| Mississippi (MS) | 7 to 9 | April | Mississippi’s sunny prompt and humid weather are excellent for hybrid teas varieties like Barbara Bush, Chrysler Imperial and The McCartney rose. |
| Missouri (MO) | 5 to 7 | Late April to early May | In Missouri, you can grow some heavy hitters. Moss rose (Rosa centifolia mucosa), Damask rose (Rosa damascena), and Cabbage rose (Rosa centifolia) will all do well here. |
| Montana (MT) | 3 to 6 | April to May or late June to August | Montana is best for hardy shrub roses like William Baffin, Champlain, and Adelaide Hoodless. They adapt well to the cold weather. |
| Nebraska (NE) | 4 and 5 | Late May | Most people grow shrub roses in the Midwest. Some good Kansas varieties include Good ‘n Plenty, Knock Out, Earth Song, and Snowcone. |
| Nevada (NV) | 5 to 9 | Multiple bloom times during the year. | The cold-season blooming is more sustained. Low humidity limits disease so you are able to grow most plant varieties with ease. Mulching is a must in the desert. Hybrid tea roses, like the Lincoln hybrid tea rose thrive. |
| New Hampshire (NH) | 3 to 6 | June | Beach roses, sheltered climbing roses, and tea roses all do great in New Hampshire. |
| New Jersey (NJ) | 6 to 7b | Mid to late April | The Knock Out variety is common here in New Jersey, including Double Knock Out, and Pink Double Knock Out. Rugosa roses do well here too. |
| New Mexico (NM) | 4b to 9a | April to May | Pick from the rose species native to New Mexico: Rosa stellata, Rosa arkansana, and Rosa nutkana. Additionally, other naturalized hybrids in New Mexico include the Yellow Rose of Texas, and Rosa multiflora. |
| New York (NY) | 3b to 7b | Mid-May to early June | The rose is New York’s state flower. Roses can be tough to grow in the NY climate, especially in the cooler regions. Season-long hardy varieties popular in NY include Pink Home Rosa, Marie Pavie, and Easter Basket. |
| North Carolina (NC) | 5b to 8b | May | North Carolina spring and summer hybrids bloom best in southernmost NC, including hybrid tea roses Elle and Perfect Moment and Grandiflora hybrids like Strike it Rich and Heart o’ Gold. |
| North Dakota (ND) | 2b to 6a | June to August | Choose hardy rose varieties that can survive the winter months and cool spring months. Recommended varieties include Hope for Humanity, Morden Sunrise, and Snow Pavement. |
| Ohio (OH) | 5b to 6b | June | Classic midwest varieties such as Zephirine Drouhin, Rosa Carding Mill, Peace, and Mr. Lincoln thrive in Ohio. |
| Oklahoma (OK) | 6a to 8a | May, June, and October | Roses seem to grow well in Oklahoma, however, the terrain varies widely across the state. Recommended varieties are Rosa ‘Darcey Bussell’, Baronne Prevost, and the White Meidiland shrub rose. |
| Oregon (OR) | 4b to 9b | April to October | The best roses for the Pacific northwest will be shrub, hybrid tea, rugosa, and hybrid rugosa varieties. |
| Pennsylvania (PA) | 5b to 7a | Early June | In the northeast rugosa roses, china roses, and David Austin roses will do well. Cold hardy varieties such as “Carefree Beauty” and “Quietness” can tolerate frosts. |
| Rhode Island (RI) | 5 to 7 | May to September, | RI growers have success with the rosea rugosa rose, sheltered climbing roses, and tea roses, in New Hampshire. |
| South Carolina (SC) | 7a and 9a | Late April | Classic Southern roses will be the best fits for the warm sunny climate in SC. Consider the Cherokee rose, Lady Banks, and the sweetbriar rose. |
| South Dakota (SD) | 3 to 5 | June | Hard shave shrub roses will be the best variety for the Midwest area. Popular shrub roses in this area are Good ‘N Plenty, Knock Out, Earth Song and Snowcone. |
| Tennessee (TN) | 5b to 8a | Early May | For easy-care, low-maintenance rose varieties that are extremely adaptable and already proven to work in the TN climate, consider Old Garden roses and Earth-Kind |
| Texas (TX) | 6 to 9b | Spring and Fall | Some excellent choices for TX include climbers like Sea Foam and Caldwell Pink, Knock Out shrub roses, and the classic Cinco de Mayo, that will endure full TX sun and survive that’s a huge pick!! |
| Utah (UT) | 4 and 6 | May | The media favors older Garden Roses and Antique rose varieties which include Cherokee rose, french rose, and dog rose varieties. |
| Vermont (VT) | 3b to 5b | June | Vermont growers need hardy roses in the Damask, Gallica, and Centifolia families. |
| Virginia (VA) | 5a to 8a | Late May to early June | Virginia actually has multiple native varieties of roses you can grow in your yard including, Virginia rose, Pasture rose, and Swamp rose, |
| Washington (WA) | 4a to 9a | June | The best roses for the Pacific northwest will be shrub, hybrid tea, rugosa, and hybrid rugosa varieties. |
| West Virginia (WV) | 5a to 7a | Late May | Classic varieties of West Virginia roses are Swamp rose, Carolina rose, Jackson rose, and Monongalia rose. |
| Wisconsin (WI) | 3 to 5 | Mid-June | The native and wild roses in Wisconsin are Meadow rose, Climbing Prairie rose, and Woods rose. |
| Wyoming (WY) | 3 to 6 | June | The harsh Wyoming winters mean that only hardy varieties will thrive in this state! Great varieties include Harrison’s Yellow rose, Strawberry Hill rose, and Mary rose. |
Can roses repeat bloom?
Many old-fashioned varieties of rose bloom only once a season. This leads to gardeners putting everything into feeding mulching pruning, and otherwise preparing their bushes for a single long display.
However, there are rose varieties that re-bloom.
These repeat flowering or remontant varieties will give one several opportunities to enjoy their rose beauty and fragrance over the course of the season.
Repeat flowering roses
These modern and hybrid types of roses are capable of multiple blooms within a season, with the flowers separated by rest cycles of a few weeks.
Listed below are rose varieties that re-bloom.
Shrub roses
Even if shrub roses do not have all the drama of a classy tea rose, shrubs can still put a show with some beautiful hits of color in your garden.
Modern shrub rose varieties, like the Desdemona English shrub rose or the odoriferous William and Catherine shrub rose, will re-bloom twice or more during their growing season – in some cases will bloom continuously from late spring to the first frost.
Hybrid tea roses
Beautiful modern rose varieties that resulted when tea roses and hybrid perpetual roses were crossed.
Hybrid tea roses will re-bloom, up to three times a year, with beautiful tea roses on long stems that are perfect for cutting.
These forms flower in the summer, and may persist flushes all the way until fall.
Climbing Roses
Climbing roses are among the best groups for repeat flowering.
Bourbon roses are fragrant when they flower and the flowers linger for a good long time.
After an initial summer bloom, these little climbers will keep flower until the fall.
They are easy to care as they will not need continual pruning, but a good dead head in late summer may help them keep blooms in the fall.
Floribunda roses
Floribunda, a cross of tea rose and polyantha rose, have large flower heads that bloom ample flowers, and are in a burst of compartments around the stem.
Floribunda varieties for the most part are repeat flowerers and will be likely to re-bloom with dead heading.
Even better – they are also pretty low maintenance varieties and you should enjoy several blooms if: (1) you prune them back in the winter; (2) liberally feed them on two occasions per year; and (3) keep up with dead-heading once they bloom.
Grandiflora roses
Grandiflora roses are a modern cross between hybrid tea roses and floribunda roses.
Like other roses, they are elegant long-stemmed beauties made for cutting.
Grandiflora roses also are repeat flowerers and with some decent sunshine and an adequate geed, will repeat bloom in clusters of gorgeous flowers.
Re-blooming takes place on a 5-to-7-week cycle. Generally, a next blooming cycle can be activated by “dead heading” – removing the dead or dying flower heads.
Dead-head roses to prolong blooming
Removing spent blooms is a fantastic way to extend the bloom time of your roses.
To do this properly, remove flower and stem down to the first 5-leaflet, or just above the node you want the new stem to grow from.
Cutting roses indoors when they are looking their absolute best can also help keep those blooms coming. By cutting yourself some roses you are actually pruning your rosebush.
Make sure whenever you are cutting, you do it properly for the sake of the node left for new growth. Also be sure to cut roses long stemmed so the plant appears neat and compact.
Once you have these re-blooming roses producing blooms, you can continue to support them with fertilization and water, as, always in our garden, starts with what are their physiological needs.
Keep the soil moist and mulch to help retain soil moisture. Feed at least once a month with good food every month during bloom.
To wrap up
A well-shaped beautiful rose bush can be good for eye sore, while making itself at home in just about any garden.
Start yourself off on the right foot by selecting re-blooming variety of rose that is well-suited to your state.
If you shower your roses with lots of TLC, there is no reason why you can’t enjoy months of fragrant blooms.