THORNLESS ROSES

Common sense and conventional wisdom tell us that every rose has its thorn. Indeed, most rose gardeners learn to accept thorns with a kind of quiet resignation, arming themselves against the less-pleasant tasks of rose care with gauntlet gloves and loppers. We turn philosophical: "Instead of complaining that the rosebush is full of thorns, be happy the thorn bush has roses" (German proverb). But in the end, no matter how hard we try to overlook thorns and focus on blooms, we find ourselves longing for a kinder, gentler bush.

Fortunately, nature provides exceptions to every rule. While there are not many, some truly thornless roses do exist. A greater number of "nearly thornless" roses are available, which have scattered thorns here and there on the stem. Certain kinds of roses, such as Polyanthas, tend to have fewer thorns as a class. An interesting botanical side note: technically roses don't have thorns. All of those projections along the stem are really called prickles.

Thornless varieties are useful when roses are planted along walkways or other high-traffic areas. They are also a great idea for children's gardens, elderly gardeners, or anyone who has let thorns get in the way of enjoying the world's most popular flower.

Roses classified as "nearly thornless" tend to have thorns on lower/older wood, with unarmed new growth perfect for cutting.

Thornless Roses

• Bleu Magenta (Hybrid Multiflora, mauve)
• Chloris (Alba, light pink, very fragrant)
• Goldfinch (Hybrid Multiflora, light yellow/white, fragrant)
• Hippolyte (Gallica, mauve/red blend)
• Kathleen Harrop (Bourbon, light pink, fragrant)
• Lady Banks Rose (Species, white or yellow)
• Lykkefund (Large-flowered Climber, white/light yellow)
• Mme. Legras de St. Germain (Alba, white, fragrant)
• Mme. Plantier (Alba, white, fragrant)
• Tausendschön (Hybrid Multiflora, pink blend)
• Veilchenblau (Hybrid Multiflora, mauve, fragrant)
• Zéphirine Drouhin (Bourbon, medium pink, fragrant)

Nearly Thornless Roses

• A Shropshire Lad (Shrub, David Austin, yellow blend)
• Aimée Vibert (Noisette, white, fragrant)
• Bride's Dream (Hybrid Tea, light pink)
• Cardinal de Richelieu (Gallica, mauve, fragrant)
• China Doll (Polyantha, medium pink/light pink)
• Climbing Iceberg (Climbing Floribunda, white)
• Climbing Pinkie (Climbing Polyantha, medium pink)
• Clotilde Soupert (Polyantha, white)
• Complicata (Gallica, pink blend, single)
• Cornelia (Hybrid Musk, pink blend/yellow blend, fragrant)
• Crépuscule (Noisette, apricot blend)
• Crown Princess Margareta (Shrub, David Austin, apricot blend)
• Frau Karl Druschki (Hybrid Perpetual, white)
• Geoff Hamilton (Shrub, David Austin, medium pink)
• Ghislaine de Féligonde (Hybrid Multiflora, light yellow/yellow blend, fragrant)
• Golden Showers (Large-flowered Climber, medium yellow)
• Heritage (Shrub, David Austin, light pink, very fragrant)
• J.P. Connell (Shrub, medium yellow/light yellow)
• James Galway (Shrub, David Austin, light pink/medium pink)
• John Clare (Shrub, David Austin, deep pink/light red, fragrant)
• La Marne (Polyantha, pink blend)
• Lady Hillingdon (Tea, yellow blend, fragrant)
• Leander (Shrub, apricot blend)
• Mlle. Cécile Brunner (Polyantha, light pink)
• Mme. Alfred Carriére (Noisette, white, fragrant)
• Mortimer Sackler (Shrub, David Austin, light pink)
• Oceana (Hybrid Tea, apricot blend)
• Outta the Blue (Shrub, mauve)
• Paul Neyron (Hybrid Perpetual, medium pink)
• Pure Perfume (Shrub, white)
• Reine des Violettes (Hybrid Perpetual, mauve, fragrant)
• Rose-Marie Viaud (Hybrid Multiflora, mauve)
• The Generous Gardener (Shrub, David Austin, light pink)
• Thérèse Bugnet (Hybrid Rugosa, medium pink, fragrant)
• Tuscany Superb (Gallica, mauve, fragrant)
• Veilchenblau (Hybrid Multiflora)