Hybrid Tea Roses

Think you need a green thumb to grow beautiful roses in your garden? Think again! Hybrid Tea Roses are a stunning group of roses that bring life and color to any garden space. These roses are easy to care for, look great in your garden, in floral arrangements, or a single bud vase.

Read on to learn everything you need to know about Hybrid Tea Roses. 

History of Hybrid Tea Roses 

Hybrid Tea Roses were developed by a British man by the name of Henry Bennett. After years of failed attempts to produce rose hybrids, Bennett visited well-known rose breeders in France to further his knowledge about producing new hybrids. Historians will argue who developed the first hybrid, many others have earlier development dates than Bennetts’, although, once Bennett returned from France he introduced ten “Pedigree Hybrids of the Tea Rose” in 1879 making the “Hybrid Tea Rose” a common term among avid rose growers. 

Characteristics of The Hybrid Tea Rose

These wildly popular and elegant roses grow large high centered buds on long straight stems. The flowers are 3 to 5 inches wide which classifies them as one of the largest hybrid roses. These roses are frequently used by florists because of their many different colors and straight stems.  

Hybrid Tea Roses are shrubs that grow anywhere from 3 to 8 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide. They bloom from spring till fall and in batches rather than continuously. 

Plant Care

Hybrid roses are known for being easy to care for and needing little attention which is wonderful for the busy gardener. 

Soil

Hybrid Tea Roses need well-drained loamy soil that is slightly acidic with a pH balance of 6.0 to 6.5.

Sun

All roses require full sun, about 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight a day.

Water

The best way to water a Hybrid Tea Rose shrub is by soaking the soil, about 10 to 12 inches deep once every week. 

Fertilizer

It’s best to fertilize once in early spring before any roses begin to bud then again after the first bloom of the season. An all-purpose balanced fertilizer does the trick.  

Pruning

To provide proper air circulation, prevent disease, and produce an abundance of blooms you need to prune your Hybrid Tea Roses. 

Important – When pruning your roses always cut at a 45-degree angle to prevent the branches and stems from becoming waterlogged. 

The first step in pruning your Hybrid Tea Roses is to cut away any dead or diseased branches. 

During the summer months when budding and flowering are the most active be sure to deadhead (cut off any flowers that have bloomed, died, and are losing their petals) and cut the stem down about 1/3 of the way to the main stem. 

Finally, when preparing your rose shrub for the winter months you can cut back the roses so that only 4 inches of the canes are sticking out of the ground. This leaves the plant dormant until next spring. 

Planting and Growing the Hybrid Tea Rose Shrub

Hybrid Tea Roses From Containers

If you have purchased a Hybrid Tea Rose in a container, plant in the early spring or late fall, when the soil is dry, not frozen, or waterlogged. The location needs plenty of sunlight and well-drained soil. 

Double dig the soil so there are no hard clumps of dirt or impacted soils so that the roots have plenty of space to spread out. Dig a hole about twice the size of the container and place your Hybrid Tea Rose shrub into the hole.

Give the plant a good watering at the base to drench the soil surrounding the shrub.

Note: Leave 6 feet of space between the roses if you are planning on planting multiple shrubs.  

Hybrid Tea Roses From Seeds

When planting from seeds use 3 to 4-inch seedling trays with all-purpose soil to start. Plant the seeds 1/4 of an inch down into the soil and water. Seal the tray in a plastic bag and place them into a refrigerator for 10-12 weeks. 

Seedlings need to go through a stage called stratification before they sprout. Once this stage is complete they need to sit in a warm area around 70 degrees Fahrenheit. After 2 to 3 weeks the rose shrubs start to sprout and can be transplanted into larger pots until they are strong enough to be planted into the ground. 

Note: If you start the stratification process in the early winter you can just bring the seedling trays outside once the appropriate temperature has been reached. 

This can be a time-consuming and tedious project but is worth the effort! This is great if you already have a Hybrid Tea Rose and have rose hips forming on your plant. 

How To Cut Roses 

Once your beautiful Hybrid Tea Roses have started blooming and are in full swing you’ll want to cut them and display them around your home or make arrangements for family and friends. Use sharp pruning shears and clip at a 45-degree angle 1/3 of the way away from the main stalk. Be mindful, the thorns on these stems are very sharp! 

Where To Buy Hybrid Tea Rose Shrubs

When searching online for these roses make sure to visit Nature Hills Nursery where you can find a number of Hybrid Tea Roses in different colors. Being such a widely popular rose, most garden centers, nurseries, and even farmers markets carry them in early spring and mid-fall. 

Where To Buy Hybrid Tea Roses

Hybrid tea roses are available at basically all floral shop and nearly every online floral retailer you can imagine. You’ll have no problems finding these available as cut flowers!

Wrapping Up Hybrid Tea Roses 

Hybrid Tea Roses look stunning in any landscape, come in a large array of colors, and are simple to care for. Designed to be enjoyed inside the home and in your landscape is what makes these such popular roses. Do you have Hybrid Tea Roses in your garden? We would love to hear about them in the comments below!

Excited for more rose content? Then keep reading all about these beautiful flowers, how to take care of them, and more on our roses page!