Discover the Queen of Flowers: A Guide to the Rose Collection at Nesbitt’s Greenhouse & Nursery
By Patrick Stephenson, M.Sc. and Sylvia and Ron Nesbitt
Whether you're a novice gardener or a seasoned rose enthusiast, a visit to Nesbitt’s Greenhouse & Nursery opens the door to a rich and inspiring world of indoor and outdoor plants and accessories. Among the many offerings, the rose collection truly stands out. At Nesbitt’s, roses are more than just beautiful blooms, they are thoughtfully selected for their elegance, fragrance, resilience, and remarkable adaptability to the Canadian climate.
This article introduces you to the main rose types available at Nesbitt’s and highlights why they each deserve a place in your garden.
1. Floribundas – The Reliable Performers
Floribundas are known for their clusters of blooms that appear in waves from early summer to frost. These roses are prized for their continuous flowering, bright colors, and disease resistance. Ideal for borders, mass plantings, or containers, they are easy to care for and highly rewarding.
Popular varieties at Nesbitt’s include: ‘First Crush’, ‘Fiji Elegance’, and ‘Bolero’.
2. Grandifloras – The Bold and Beautiful
A cross between Hybrid Teas and Floribundas, Grandifloras offer the large blooms of Hybrid Teas with the bloom frequency of Floribundas. They grow taller, making them perfect as showy focal points or flowering hedges.
Look for: ‘Queen Elizabeth’, an award-winning classic with long-stemmed, elegant pink blooms.
3. Hybrid Teas – The Classic Rose
These are the iconic, long-stemmed roses you see in florist bouquets, single, elegant blooms per stem, often with a strong fragrance. While they need more care and are best in well-drained soil with good sun exposure, their beauty and refinement are unmatched.
Favorites include: ‘Mr. Lincoln’ (deep red and fragrant) and ‘Rio samba’ (a legendary yellow and pink variety).
4. Knock Out® Roses – Low Maintenance Powerhouses
If you want roses with minimal upkeep, Knock Out® varieties are for you. These disease-resistant, self-cleaning, and long-blooming roses are ideal for busy gardeners. They require no deadheading and offer vibrant color all season long.
Available in multiple colors, from cherry red to radiant pink and sunny yellow.
5. Drift® Roses – The Compact Groundcover Solution
Drift® Roses are a perfect choice for small spaces, borders, and containers. These compact groundcover roses offer mounds of color from spring through frost and are highly resistant to disease and pests. With a naturally low-growing habit, they are ideal for edging walkways or filling in gaps between larger shrubs.
Popular selections at Nesbitt’s include: ‘Coral Drift’, ‘Pink Drift’, and ‘Red Drift’
6. David Austin Roses – Old World Charm Meets Modern Performance
These English roses combine the romantic form and fragrance of heritage roses with the repeat blooming and vigor of modern hybrids. Known for their full, cupped blooms and lush scents, they bring poetry and elegance to any garden.
Nesbitt’s selections often include: ‘Gertrude Jekyll’, ‘The Poet’s Wife’, and ‘James Gallaway’.
7. Canadian Hardy Roses – The Explorers and Artists Series
Developed for Canada’s cold climates, these roses thrive in zones where others struggle. Many tolerate temperatures down to -35°C and are low maintenance, highly resistant to disease, and remarkably floriferous.
Highlights include:
- ‘John Cabot’ (vigorous climbing rose)
- ‘William Baffin’ (ideal for natural hedges)
- ‘Emily Carr’ (brilliant red with continuous blooms)
- ‘Campfire’ (a compact yellow-pink rose from the Canadian Artists series)
8. The miniature roses – Small but stunning
Miniature roses pack vibrant color and classic rose elegance into a compact form. Ideal for containers, edging, or even brightening up indoor spaces, these petite beauties deliver all the grace and charm of full-sized roses, just in a size perfect for smaller gardens or patios.
Why Choose Nesbitt’s Greenhouse & Nursery?
Nesbitt’s offers not only one of the most diverse collections of roses in the region, but also expert horticultural advice. The staff are passionate and knowledgeable about what grows best in local conditions. You can count on personalized guidance whether you’re planning a formal rose garden or just adding a single statement plant.
Final Thoughts
With so many options, from the carefree Knock Out® and Drift® roses to the majestic Grandifloras and nostalgic David Austins, and from classic Hybrid Teas to the hardy Canadian Explorers. There is a rose for every taste, purpose, and level of experience.
At Nesbitt’s Greenhouse & Nursery, you'll find roses that not only survive but thrive in Canadian gardens, bringing beauty, fragrance, and joy for years to come.
