Floriferous, compact rose for the hot, dry climate of Phoenix, AZ?

Carrie_in_Phoenix Zone 9b, Sunset 13, Heat 10

last year

I live in Phoenix, Arizona, and I’m looking for a rose that will thrive in the low desert. I’ve found a lot of information online, but all of the recommendations I’ve found for my area are at least 8 years old; I’d love to get more current recommendations on the following...

I’m looking to plant roses in a mixed bed along with various perennials, succulents, and grasses, so I’m going for looks over fragrance here (although fragrance would be wonderful too). In order, my priorities are:

1. Continual blooming with LOTS of blooms over a long cycle;

2. Mounding, well-balanced growth habit (i.e. I hope it will be a pretty shrub even without flowers);

3. Jewel tone blooms, esp purple, fuchsia/magenta, red, or even yellow, that maintain color in the summer sun;

4. Compact size, ideally 2-3 ft tall and wide; and

5. Cupped or fully double blooms — the bigger the better!

And of course, fragrance would be a huge plus, but it’s not strictly necessary…although it’d be awesome. :)

If you have any recommendations for roses that might fit the bill in a hot, dry climate, I would be so grateful to read them. Thank you!

Featured Answer

marascz9b

last year

last modified: last year

In Tucson, Black Baccara, Little White Pet (own root), and Savannah bloomed for me during June 2021. They were less than one year old, in pots, under shade and had drip. Black Baccara had the best looking blooms, but I'm not sure any of them meet your requirements for size and color.

Black Baccara

In late July, I went to Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden in San Diego, which probably doesn't get as hot as Phoenix. David Austin's that they had blooming were Mary rose and L D Braithwaite. Floribunda Easter Basket and Hybrid Tea (?) Pink Promise also impressed me (they're pink and white though). I remember lots of reds, but don't have pictures.

Mary Rose

L. D. Braithwaite

L. D. Braithwaite or Darcy Bussell?

I visited the Mesa rose garden in late December and was able to see a bunch of roses in bloom. It is a pity that many of them don't have tags. Definitely recommend going to see what's thriving in the summer.

Unknown light purple

Unknown red

Unknown apricot

Unknown dark red/purple

Dream Come True?

I've also gone to Mesquite Valley Growers in August 2020, and if my memory serves me right, Jubilee Celebration, Burgundy Iceberg, First Crush, Ingrid Bergman, Firefighter, and Tahitian Treasure had blooms in the heat.

Burgundy Iceberg fits your requirements the best for bloom power, color, and size. I didn't take pictures because it's not cupped enough for me (it is double though).

Ingrid Bergman

Tahitian Sunset

Firefighter

I'm trying to upload pictures but they aren't working so hopefully these links work.

Comments (39)

sautesmom Sacramento
last year
I don't think anything is going to continuously bloom in Arizona heat.

Maaaaybe Iceburg, but even then...

That being said, my number one heat star in Sacramento is Strike it Rich, which still blooms when we get over 105 and the blooms rarely fry.

Also good in heat are Ketchup and Mustard, Elle and Rainbow Sorbet.

My Grandmother grew Chrysler Imperial in Indio, but mine here crisps a little over 100.

Carla in Sac
Carrie_in_Phoenix Zone 9b, Sunset 13, Heat 10 thanked sautesmom Sacramento
librarian_gardner_8b_pnw
last year
last modified: last year
My experience gardening in Phoenix ( I grew up there) is that there are nice bloom periods in spring and fall but in the heat of summer, many plants are just trying to stay alive. You might want to plant some roses in dappled shade, for example, under a Palo Verde tree and see if that could extend your bloom time a bit. I have a friend who grows roses in Tucson (so not quite as hot as Phoenix) and she has a fabulous Munstead Wood as well as a lovely Mutabilis. She gets great blooms in spring and fall but I don't know if her bush rests during the hottest part of the summer.
Carrie_in_Phoenix Zone 9b, Sunset 13, Heat 10 thanked librarian_gardner_8b_pnw
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rosecanadian
last year
Carla - amazing...these roses do well in such heat! :) :)
Carrie_in_Phoenix Zone 9b, Sunset 13, Heat 10 thanked rosecanadian
mojavemaria
last year
I hope your rose bushes will be placed where they receive either filtered sun or morning sun only. Wanting a smaller plant excludes some of the roses listed above because hybrid teas want to be tall. Here in Las Vegas as soon as the heat comes on (now) most rose blooms dry up quickly.

One that fits your size requirements, blooms a lot, has a bright color and long lasting bloom is Millie Walters. It’s a Ralph Moore mini so the blooms are small but it is very showy.
Carrie_in_Phoenix Zone 9b, Sunset 13, Heat 10 thanked mojavemaria
Carrie_in_Phoenix Zone 9b, Sunset 13, Heat 10
Original Author
last year
Yes, i am actually planning to them under a palo verde! And y’all are absolutely correct: we get spring and fall flushes. I just selfishly want them to bloom for as long as possible. Everybody in my area has Iceberg roses, which are lovely, but I have to believe there are other roses that will work here. Thank you so much!!!
librarian_gardner_8b_pnw
last year
last modified: last year
Carrie, it sounds like you're going to have a lovely garden whatever you choose! I'm so glad that you have a Palo Verde to plant under. And how beautiful your spring must be with all those yellow blooms! I'd love to see updates on what you decide.
Carrie_in_Phoenix Zone 9b, Sunset 13, Heat 10 thanked librarian_gardner_8b_pnw
Carrie_in_Phoenix Zone 9b, Sunset 13, Heat 10
Original Author
last year
sautesmom Sacramento - Thank you for the recommendations! What size is your Strike It Rich rose bush? And do you like the shape of the bush itself?

librarian_gardner_8b_pnw - I spend an absurd amount of time staring at David Austin's website and catalog. :) I love the look of Munstead Wood, but I wasn't certain it would work here. I'll look into it more!

mojavemaria - Yeah, I figured I would need floribundas as opposed to hybrid teas. Do you like the shape of Millie Walters? How large does it get in Vegas?

I hope I"m not asking too many questions! Thank you all!
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
last year
Both the KnockOut and Drift series of landscape roses are extremely heat and drought tolerant. And of an appropriate size for your requirements.

It might also be helpful to know that one of the primary growing facilities for Austin roses in the US is located in Arizona (not sure where in AZ precisely). Heat tends to be much less of an issue than does drought tolerance and that is going to be your limiting factor. And in high summer heat, the roses will go semi-dormant or cease flowering until temperatures cool down to acceptable levels.
Carrie_in_Phoenix Zone 9b, Sunset 13, Heat 10 thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
Diane Brakefield
last year
Munstead Wood is one tough rose for me. Last year it bloomed from May to late November in our semi arid zone 7. We can't compare to your heat, but it can get bad here. Our first heat wave began June 9 and never quit until fall, nor did we get any rain during that time period (I use a big drip system augmented with tiny sprinkler plugged into the drip lines). Diane

Munstead in May, July and late November. Diane
Carrie_in_Phoenix Zone 9b, Sunset 13, Heat 10 thanked Diane Brakefield
rosecanadian
last year
Diane - oh my!! :) :) Such different looks...what an amazing rose!!
Kristine LeGault 8a pnw
last year
If you want something short and vibrant I recommend Vineyard Song. It stays low and blooms these beautiful fuchia colored flowers
Carrie_in_Phoenix Zone 9b, Sunset 13, Heat 10 thanked Kristine LeGault 8a pnw
hugogurll
last year
You should visit the rose garden in Mesa to get a first hand look at the better performers for you climate.
Carrie_in_Phoenix Zone 9b, Sunset 13, Heat 10 thanked hugogurll
SylviaWW 9a Hot dry SoCal
last year
Our Lady of Guadalupe has everything you’d like, except scent. Jewel tones? Well, imagine a pink diamond. Light pink with silvery overtones.

Blooms even on triple-digit days. Stays small and has a nice shape.

I’d also suggest Life of the Party, aka Huntington’s 100th. Delightfully fragrant even in our bone-dry climate. If you think a blend might work for you …

This one is in a pot, but small in its second year. Note how early it bloomed! Last year it was mostly dormant in the summer, but this year it’s been more prolific, so I have hopes.

The blooms start out yellow, than gradually turn pink, and can be violet towards their end. I find the scent intoxicating and it does waft — a little.

I have Munstead Wood, and I love it, but it’s so thorny, I hesitate to recommend it. Also it tends to send up octopus canes in spring, and hibernate from June to October. If it does bloom in the heat, the colors will be like Diane’s — pink, not deep purple-magenta. It is more resistant to chili thrips than the other two.
Carrie_in_Phoenix Zone 9b, Sunset 13, Heat 10 thanked SylviaWW 9a Hot dry SoCal
Kristine LeGault 8a pnw
last year
Lifes Little Pleasures stays small and the bush itself is really beautiful a nice shape

Blooms are in big clusters.

How about the Veranda roses?

I have 4 and they hold up really well in out 110 degree summer temps
Carrie_in_Phoenix Zone 9b, Sunset 13, Heat 10 thanked Kristine LeGault 8a pnw
mojavemaria
last year
My millie walters is young and small but its supposed to get to 2–3 ft tall by 2 ft wide. What’s so wonderful about her is how long her blooms last when others rose blooms are quickly turning to potpourri.
Carrie_in_Phoenix Zone 9b, Sunset 13, Heat 10 thanked mojavemaria
Liz 9b Sunset 14
last year
last modified: last year
Judy Singer’s roses are in Tucson, bred for the hot weather specific to your desert.

http://www.hot-roses.com
Carrie_in_Phoenix Zone 9b, Sunset 13, Heat 10 thanked Liz 9b Sunset 14
Carrie_in_Phoenix Zone 9b, Sunset 13, Heat 10
Original Author
last year
Thank you all! I'm so grateful for your responses.

hugogurll - I totally forgot that was here! I'll try to get out there in the next couple of weeks to see what's still in bloom once we're fully in the 100F's.

marascz9b - What are your thoughts on Burgundy Iceberg?

And do any of you have experience with Darcey Bussell, Pretty Lady, or Celestial Night? I spotted those at a nursery today :)
Kristine LeGault 8a pnw
last year
I have Darcy and Celestial night.

Darcy is always one of the first to bloom. It is a continual bloomer.

My Celestial night is the most amazing color but for me doesnt bllom as often as Darcy.

Darcy

Celestial night
Carrie_in_Phoenix Zone 9b, Sunset 13, Heat 10 thanked Kristine LeGault 8a pnw
SylviaWW 9a Hot dry SoCal
last year
Darcey blooms constantly for me and has a great scent, but it’s six feet tall here.

See what I mean? Great rose, though, very healthy and trouble-free
Carrie_in_Phoenix Zone 9b, Sunset 13, Heat 10 thanked SylviaWW 9a Hot dry SoCal
marascz9b
last year
@Liz 9b Sunset 14 Judy Singer has been on my radar for some time, I just wasn't sure because I haven't heard of anyone who grows her roses in my area. Do you have any experience with her roses?

@Carrie_in_Phoenix Zone 9b, Sunset 13, Heat 10 I haven't grown Burgundy Iceberg personally so take what I have to say with a big grain of salt, but it consistently has blooms and foliage around town year round at big box stores, local nurseries, and I even saw a hedge of them at Prescott in the fall that impressed me. Several times I've seen it and gotten excited, but it has none to mild fragrance and that's what keeps me from getting it.
Carrie_in_Phoenix Zone 9b, Sunset 13, Heat 10 thanked marascz9b
sautesmom Sacramento
last year
Celestial Night fries above 80 degrees here.

Carla in Sac
Carrie_in_Phoenix Zone 9b, Sunset 13, Heat 10 thanked sautesmom Sacramento
Liz 9b Sunset 14
last year
@marascz9b I haven’t had a chance to grow her roses yet. I’m new and getting started but her roses, like Elizabeth Bowers, Puppy Kisses, and Bandito! are on my list.
Carrie_in_Phoenix Zone 9b, Sunset 13, Heat 10
Original Author
last year
SylviaWW 9a Hot dry SoCal + Kristine LeGault 8a pnw - Wow! Darcey is gorgeous, but yeah, probably too tall for my purposes. Le sigh.

sautesmom Sacramento - I was afraid you'd say that. :)

marascz9b - Thanks for the info on Burgundy Iceberg! I think I'm leaning towards that one. But I agree that it's a bummer it doesn't have much fragrance.

Does anyone know how big Burgundy Iceberg gets in hot, dry areas?
mojavemaria
last year
This is a copy of a post a while back from someone who live(d) in Tempe AZ. I saved her recommendations because our conditions are similar. Maybe you can find something to try from her list.
Carrie_in_Phoenix Zone 9b, Sunset 13, Heat 10 thanked mojavemaria
librarian_gardner_8b_pnw
last year
last modified: last year
I love Duchesse de Brabant! Now that I'm in Western Oregon, I'm not anywhere nearly as hot as Phoenix but I do have a very happy DdB in the hottest, sunniest part of my garden, all day sun right next to the street and west facing. She loves that spot. Good to hear she does well in Tempe. Romantic looking blooms, wonderful fragrance.

I just remembered that i have a couple of friends in Tucson who happily grow Reine des Violetes....if you're interested in repeating old garden roses.
rosecanadian
last year
Librarian - beautiful blooms!! Love!!
Sheila z8a Rogue Valley OR
last year
Ingrid had Burgundy Iceberg I think and it was large/tall in So California.
Dar Sunset Zone 18
last year
last modified: last year
I would test out Treasure Trail (it rang a bell for jewel-toned and relatively small). I dont remember the blooms frying in the sun for me (it it did it was not very often). I live in the Inland Empire and I believe it is drier in summer than AZ (we dont get as much monsoon moisture).
Carrie_in_Phoenix Zone 9b, Sunset 13, Heat 10
Original Author
last year
Dar Sunset Zone 18 - Wow, I can't believe there are drier parts of the US. :) Did Treasure Trail repeat / continuously bloom?

librarian_gardner_8b_pnw - I don't know much about old garden roses, but I think I need to look into them.

mojavemaria - I will check alllll of those out!
Carrie_in_Phoenix Zone 9b, Sunset 13, Heat 10
Original Author
last year
FYI, I emailed David Austin with the same question I posed here, and here was their response:

My first pick for your requirements would be Princess Anne -

This is a 4ft rose, which flowers abundantly and is especially healthy. It is a very vivid pink tone which may fade to a mid pink in the hot sun of AZ, but should still retain good pigment.

The Poet's Wife would be a good choice, this is a rich yellow bloom, 4ft shrub with a large flower.

Carding Mill is a beautiful vibrant orange bloom, with a lovely rounded shape -

Finally, James L Austin would be another solid choice -

I do hope these suggestions are helpful. Our stock is very low currently and we are expecting bare root pre-orders to go live in June/July for early 2023 shipping.
librarian_gardner_8b_pnw
last year
last modified: last year
Carrie, much of California is dryer than parts of Arizona. It is hard to imagine. Those summer monsoons make such a difference in climate.

I've heard that Carding Mill can do well in warmer climates. It has a delicious candy sweet myrrh fragrance.I don't have it but I've been considering it for a while.
Carrie_in_Phoenix Zone 9b, Sunset 13, Heat 10 thanked librarian_gardner_8b_pnw
debbym, Tempe, AZ Zone 9
last year
last modified: last year
I'm an old rose devotee but I do grow some modern roses as well. And, as others have noted, roses are just trying to survive in the summer here so I wouldn't expect any blooms. We used to get a lot more rain than we do now (not much monsoon anymore), due to climate change, and it is hotter than it used to be as well, so that is also a factor. Morning sun and afternoon shade is preferred but unfortunately not always possible. I put umbrellas on some of my roses during the worst of the heat (all summer!). My recommendations:

Tea roses!! the most beautiful roses in my opinion and they do well here. I grow many: Duchesse de Brabant, Mdm Joseph Schwartz, Maman Cochet, Soncy, Lady Hillingdon, etc etc. My experience is they are the most resistant to disease although we don't have much of that here.

Modern: Firefighter, Fragrant Cloud, Marmalade Skies, Julia Child. There are many others of course.

Personally I dislike Austin roses and I don't think they do very well here. The only one I like is The Dark Lady. I've tried many as they look so delectable in the pictures but have been unhappy here.

Go visit Mesa Community College rose garden. They have many and most are moderns, I believe.

Good luck!

Just realized someone posted one of my old posts! Hmm, wonder what I said then! I forgot to mention the wonderful Bourbons!
Carrie_in_Phoenix Zone 9b, Sunset 13, Heat 10 thanked debbym, Tempe, AZ Zone 9
mojavemaria
last year
I posted your list Debby! I keep info that might relate to my desert conditions. About Carding Mill mentioned by David Austin I used to have it but the blooms were very shortlived in Las Vegas dry air and heat so its gone now. A somewhat similar looking rose that did well here for a few years was Jump for Joy. And on the tall side but with long lasting blooms is Dolly Parton.
Carrie_in_Phoenix Zone 9b, Sunset 13, Heat 10 thanked mojavemaria
Carrie_in_Phoenix Zone 9b, Sunset 13, Heat 10
Original Author
last year
debbym, Tempe, AZ Zone 9 - Thank you so much! Between The Dark Lady and Firefighter, which blooms more for you?

I planted 3 Fragrant Cloud (as well as 2 Desdemona, 1 Don Juan, 1 America, and 1 Benjamin Britten) in my backyard a couple of months ago, and I'm hoping they will love it there. :)

I will check out the rest of your recommendations too -- thank you!
debbym, Tempe, AZ Zone 9
last year
mohavemaria glad the list was helpful.

Carrie: Firefiighter by far is the better rose here. The Dark Lady has declined, I fear, and is not as good as it used to be. But, it is a good rose.

I prefer own root roses (although most moderns are grafted) as I find they are longer lived in this hot climate. One of the reasons I prefer antique roses to moderns.
Carrie_in_Phoenix Zone 9b, Sunset 13, Heat 10 thanked debbym, Tempe, AZ Zone 9
Carrie_in_Phoenix Zone 9b, Sunset 13, Heat 10
Original Author
last year
last modified: last year
debbym, Tempe, AZ Zone 9 - Last question: do you have a favorite heat-tolerant OGR that is red / dark pink? Especially one that is relatively compact.

Do any of you? :)

I'm leaning towards Francis Dubreuil at the moment...
debbym, Tempe, AZ Zone 9
last year
I can't think of one that is small. I did have Frances Dubreuil at one point but she didn't seem to like my garden. She's a beautiful rose though. In the right place she might be ok, like an eastern exposure with little afternoon sun. There might some China roses that would work, like Cramoisi Supérieur. I haven't grown it but would like to if I had room.

I do have Souvenir de Therese Levet which is a wonderful rose but she is large.

Most tea roses do get large, especially in warm/hot climates so finding a small one is not easy. That's when I go for the smaller modern roses.
Carrie_in_Phoenix Zone 9b, Sunset 13, Heat 10 thanked debbym, Tempe, AZ Zone 9
Carrie_in_Phoenix Zone 9b, Sunset 13, Heat 10
Original Author
last year
Hi folks! I visited The Rose Garden at MCC yesterday (June 2nd), and I'm hoping to make another trip in the next week or two...without my kids. :) Several were blooming well and weren't huge, so I thought I'd share:
- Crimson Bouquet - nice shape, blooming well, minimal fragrance
- Canyon Road - decent shape, blooming well, minimal fragrance
- Stormy Weather - slightly awkward shape, blooming well, some fragrance
- First Lady rose (Brindabella) - good shape, blooming well, can't remember the fragrance
- Whisper rose - nicest bush shape (and compact!), blooming well, minimal fragrance
- Rhapsody in Blue - decent shape, blooming well, fragrant
Rhapsody in Blue was probably my favorite of the roses I saw yesterday. It wasn't too big, and the blooms were a gorgeous magenta color. If any of you have any experience with any of these, please do chime in!

(For SEO purposes: I live in Phoenix, AZ, USDA Zone 9b, Sunset Climate Zone 13, Heat Zone 10.)