The Secret’s Out: Why Modern Roses Rule Containers
Spoiler alert: Modern roses are the key for easy-care and an elevated look
Summer is here! That means it’s time for celebrations. Whether you’re entertaining for summer weddings or backyard BBQs, now is the time to show off your outdoor space.
One of the fastest ways to dress up a patio, deck, or front entryway is with colorful containers. And the quickest way to add elevated, bold color is by planting roses! Surprised? You’re not alone. You may think roses don’t belong in containers, but they do. The key is to choose the right variety.
Effortless Elegance: Why Today’s Roses Are Different
Thanks to modern breeding, roses are as easy to grow as any other flowering shrub. Gone are the days of spraying, deadheading, and waiting forever for blooms. New rose varieties are disease-resistant and flower all season long, providing outstanding color without the hassles of older genetics.
“Roses are one of the easiest ways to add striking, long-lasting color in the garden,” says Katie Tamony, plant expert and trend spotter at Monrovia. “Containers with plentiful blooms will capture your guests’ attention, and nothing does that better than roses. Their full, color-saturated blooms add an instant infusion of happiness.”

Versatile, Movable Color Anywhere You Need It
Roses are outstanding container plants for so many reasons. Just one plant can fill a container, making it easy to add a pop of color to any space. Planting in a container creates the opportunity for perfect growing conditions, which means there are no limits to where roses can be placed in the landscape. If there is not enough light or space in the garden, pots can be positioned in a sunny location, just about anywhere. Containers can also be moved to different areas of the garden to add color wherever needed – perfect for dressing up the patio for a party or the front door to greet guests.
Here are some top rose picks for container gardens, available at your local independent garden center or Lowe’s garden centers:
Nitty Gritty® Red Rose – The perfect summer red!
Nitty Gritty® roses feature a low-growing habit that makes them an instant container favorite. Nitty Gritty Red adds striking color to the garden with bold red, double blooms that flower throughout the season. The entire Nitty Gritty collection makes it easy to grow roses, with fuss-free, own-root, low-maintenance plants. In addition to the stunning red, choose from Peach, Pink, White, and Yellow. Recommended for Zones 4-9.
Itsy Bitsy® Peach Miniature Rose
Beautiful things come in small packages! This is especially true of the new Itsy Bitsy® Peach Miniature Rose. The abundant blooms range in color from soft peach to glowing orange, covering the plant in sunny color. Itsy Bitsy stays compact, reaching only 18 to 24 inches tall, making it an excellent choice for containers. Zones 5-9.
Grace N’ Grit™ Pink Shrub Rose
Create lush, larger containers with Grace N’ Grit™ shrub roses. Grace N’ Grit Pink makes a statement in the garden with deep, dark pink blooms that hold up in just about any weather, including heat and humidity or hot and dry summers. Each color in this series features double blooms that cover the plant all season long. This variety is also available in Red, White, Pink Bicolor, and Yellow. Grace N’ Grit roses can grow to 5 feet tall, so choose a larger container or two for maximum impact. Zones 4-9.
Ready to freshen up your outdoor entertaining space? Which rose will you choose? Learn more at Monrovia.com, and visit your local Lowe’s store or independent garden center.
Learn More about Roses at Ask Me Anything About Roses Webinar
Written by NGB Member: Monrovia
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