Understanding Buded vs Own Root Roses

In today’s market of roses you can buy own root or budded roses.

Budded or grafted roses are roses that a bud has been attached to another rose variety’s root system. Usually a single red rose called Dr. Huey.  Budded Roses are hardy to zone 6, which works in the Tri-Cities.  Most of the Hybrid Teas, Floribundas, Grandifloras, Climbers, and David Austins are budded. It is best to mulch these rose for the winter either with compost or bark to protect them from quick arctic blasts.

Own root roses are roses that are propagated from cutting and are raised on their own natural root system.  Own root roses are more cold hardy (zone 4 to 5) which is great for the Tri-Cities and outer lying areas that tend to be more exposed or colder in the winter.  Own root roses, being own root, do not bolt (sucker from the root stock) and do not revert to the root stock.  Shrub, Miniature and Ground Cover Roses are own root.

Written by Alex Job