Looking for stunning, easy-care roses that thrive in the Midwest? Hardy shrub roses are the perfect choice! Unlike traditional hybrid roses, shrub roses are not grafted, making them exceptionally winter-hardy and resilient in tough conditions.

Thanks to advancements in genetics, these roses are now more disease-resistant, longer blooming, and available in a variety of vibrant colors and beautiful bloom styles.

Why Choose Hardy Shrub Roses?

• Thrives in Full Sun: Requires 6+ hours of direct sunlight daily.
• Winter Hardy: No grafting means better cold resistance.
• Disease Resistant: Newer varieties offer clean, glossy foliage with minimal maintenance.
• Repeat Blooming: Blooms from early summer to fall—deadhead spent flowers for quicker rebloom.
• Variety of Forms: Choose from upright, rounded shrubs or low growing, spreading types.

Choosing the Right Shrub Rose for Your Landscape

• Rounded, Upright Growth: Knock Out, Easy Elegance and Grace N Grit series.
• Low-Growing, Spreading Form: Drift series—great for borders, covering large areas, or hard to maintain places and ground cover.
• Bloom Styles: Some varieties produce large single blooms, while others feature clusters of smaller flowers—perfect for cutting and bringing indoors.

Best Companion Plants for Shrub Roses

Enhance your garden by pairing shrub roses with plants that add seasonal interest, texture, and color contrast:

Early Spring Bloomers:

• Daffodils
• Creeping Phlox
• Grape Hyacinth

Summer Bloomers:

• Coreopsis
• Salvia
• Catmint

Grasses for Texture & Contrast:

• Dwarf Fountain Grass
• Switch Grass
• Little Bluestem

Evergreens for Year-Round Color:

• Globe Arborvitae

By choosing hardy shrub roses and pairing them with the right companions, you can enjoy a stunning, low-maintenance garden that provides continuous colorfrom spring through fall. Stop by Earl May Garden Center to explore our selection and find the perfect shrub roses for your landscape!