Shrub Roses comprise various wild species, hybrids, and varieties that develop large, dense bushes more closely resembling shrubs. Their small spring flowers and fall seed pods contribute to their value as ornamentals. Most shrub roses are hardy throughout the state. Their primary use is for mass, screen or hedge plants. The fragrant pink or white Musk roses are typical of the group. Iowa State University has introduced a truly carefree wild hybrid rose that blooms like a floribunda. Carefree Beauty, a lovely pink cultivar, is currently available. Carefree Beauty responds to fertilizer.

Rugosa roses have been hybridized into some fragrant repeat blooming Carefree Beauties. These semi-double roses range from bright red to white and yellow in color. Rugosa roses produce the most disease and pest free plants in rosedom. They are extremely salt tolerant and should be one of the better roses for beginners.

The new Meidiland roses are generally drought tolerant and somewhat disease resistant. Most have seven leaflets, and most grow five to seven feet tall with wide arching branches. They are available in red, pink and white cultivars that bloom throughout the summer. Cultivar Ferdy is covered with coral flowers for 3 to 4 weeks in spring of the second year, so avoid overpruning. Cultivar Bonica is shell pink, grows like a floribunda and flowers all summer and into fall.

Old-Fashioned Roses have been in cultivation since Colonial times. The abundant spring flowers are generally less attractive that today's varieties, but their fragrance is usually better. These very hardy roses require little care and flower abundantly in the spring. Cabbage or Moss roses are typical types. They bear buds covered with dense moss-like growth that open to fragrant pink blooms.

The New English Hybrid Roses were crossed with old roses and modern hybrids for really fragrant beauties with a great deal of disease resistance. For example, Othello is a carmen red rose with little or no disease, and it produces a steady stream of red roses from June to frost.