Striped roses will forever transport me to the garden of the Queen of Hearts. There is something fantastical and exciting about them. While most bicolored roses appear to have an ombre effect, where one color fades gradually into another, these striped cultivars are dramatic and high-contrast.
Striped roses are a unique and striking variety of rose that features petals with contrasting stripes or streaks of color. These stripes can appear in various combinations, such as red and white, pink and yellow, orange and cream, or even purple and lavender. The pattern may resemble brushstrokes, marbling, or even candy stripes, depending on the cultivar.
All rose colors have special symbolism attached to them, and striped roses do as well. They symbolize individuality, passion, and uniqueness with their unusual and uncommon combinations. Here are some stunning cultivars that you’ve got to check out if you’re looking for a special striped rose for your summer garden.
‘Variegata di Bologna’
‘Variegata di Bologna’ rose is a classic and elegant striped Bourbon rose known for its richly scented blooms and beautiful, old-fashioned form. It was bred in Italy in the 1900s by Giuseppe Bonfiglioli and remains a favorite among lovers of heritage roses. It’s another incredibly romantic flower.
The large, fully double blooms have a classic old rose shape; they are cupped and sometimes quartered. They’re also exceptionally fragrant, with a classic old rose aroma. This early summer bloomer may repeat-bloom later in the season. However, it’s not considered a continuous bloomer. The plant is on the larger side, growing as tall as 10 feet in some instances.
‘Frida Kahlo™’
‘Frida Kahlo™’ rose is a dynamic and imaginative modern floribunda rose. It’s named in honor of the famous Mexican painter, known for her bold, eccentric, and colorful paintings. This rose embodies her unique aesthetic with its lively and distinctive coloring.
The medium-sized, double blooms have a classic floribunda shape and also a light, pleasant, fruity scent. These repeat bloomers produce abundant flushes of flowers from spring through fall. The flowers are a blend of golden yellow with deep pink to red striping, which intensifies in warmer weather.
‘Rock & Roll™’
‘Rock & Roll™’ is bold and dynamic; there is nothing quiet about this rose, its volume is on full blast. The large grandiflora blooms are high-centered and fully double, with electric, edgy, and vibrant colors. The ivory petals also have splashes and stripes in deep red and burgundy.
This repeat bloomer produces flushes from late spring through fall. The blooms are remarkably fragrant and have a fruity, spicy fragrance often likened to apples and cinnamon. It’s a mid-sized bush with deep, dark green, glossy foliage.
‘Fourth of July™’
‘Fourth of July™’ is a bold and festive climbing rose that lives up to its name with blooms that resemble fireworks, and a festive presence in the garden. It was introduced by Tom Carruth in 1999. The variety quickly gained popularity, earning the All-America Rose Selections award the same year it was released.
This climber features medium-sized, semi-double, ruffled blooms. They are cream-colored with brilliant red stripes. They appear in large clusters, blooming continuously from spring through fall. You’ll have beautiful patriotic blooms from Memorial Day until Labor Day with this gorgeous cultivar.
‘Purple Tiger’
‘Purple Tiger’ is a gorgeous and dramatic striped floribunda rose that lives up to its exciting and dangerous name. Its deep purple and white marbled blooms attract attention as one of the most visually noteworthy roses in the garden.
This is also a repeat-blooming rose. It is reliable and has a moderate to strong fragrance. It smells of citrus and spice with an undertone of cloves. The shrub is compact and bushy with matte, medium-green foliage.
‘Oranges ‘n’ Lemons™’
‘Oranges ‘n’ Lemons™’ is another energetic, playful floribunda rose that looks as sunny as its name suggests. With citrus candy coloring and a free-flowering habit, it adds a lively, tropical vibe to the garden.
The small to mid-sized shrub makes a wonderful border or container plant. The flowers are medium to large and semi-double with an open form. The petals are bright orange and striped with lemon yellow. Intriguingly, the intensity of the shades also varies with temperature and light exposure. The fragrance is light and fruity—a perfect match.
‘Purple Splash™’
‘Purple Splash™’ is a splashy and spritely variety known for its bold, striped blooms and excellent disease resistance. It’s a vigorous climber that creates drama and artistry to arbors, trellises, and other structures. It can grow up to 15 feet tall and also has strong, upright canes.
The glossy, deep-green leaves provide an excellent backdrop for the medium-sized blooms. The creamy white to pale pink flowers have bold, irregular, purple and magenta stripes. They have a loose and ruffled structure and a moderately sweet and spicy fragrance.
‘Parade Day™’
‘Parade Day™’ is a modern hybrid tea rose introduced by Weeks Roses. This striped rose dazzles with its bold, bi-colored blooms and intense citrus rose fragrance. This variety has an outstanding pink-and-white swirl pattern and hybrid tea rose form.
The blooms are large with high centers and an elegant shape. Single flowers grow on long, strong stems, making this one excellent for cutting. The shrub is also an upright grower, making it ideal for hedges and foundation plantings. It reaches up to six feet tall and has glossy, deep green leaves.
‘Tropical Sunset™’
‘Tropical Sunset™’ is an eye-catching hybrid tea variety that lives up to its name. The medium-sized, double blooms resemble a vivid, artistic rendering of a sunset when in full bloom. The bold variegation and vibrant color palette earn it major recognition.
Rich, golden-yellow petals are striped and splashed with deep coral, creating a sunset effect. The streaking varies from flower to flower, adding a unique, painted quality. They also have a moderate, sweet citrus fragrance with an uplifting quality.
‘Neil Diamond’
‘Neil Diamond’ rose is a gorgeous hybrid tea rose named for the iconic singer-songwriter. It makes a dramatic and lasting impression. This variety has bold striped petals and a heady fragrance. It’s a favorite among fans of vibrant, colorful roses.
The blooms have a classic hybrid tea shape, characterized by large, high-centered, double flowers. The petals are white to cream with fuchsia to deep pink stripes. The bold and high-contrast pattern resembles brushstrokes or candy stripes, and it has a strong, sweet fragrance with notes of spice and citrus.
‘Tropical Lightning™’
‘Tropical Lightning™’ is an electrifying climbing rose that lives up to its name. Another release by Tom Carruth, introduced by Weeks Roses, is this incredibly unique striped rose. It has dramatic coloring and a vigorous habit.
The blooms are medium-sized and fully double-petaled with a rounded, ruffled appearance. The petals are deep, reddish-orange with golden stripes that stand out like flashes of lightning. They have a light, musky scent that is noteworthy, but won’t overpower.
‘Camille Pissarro®’
‘Camille Pissarro®’ is a showstopping floribunda variety named for the respected Danish-French Impressionist painter. This striped rose has vibrant, artistic blooms and vigorous garden performance. The shrub is compact and bushy with glossy, deep green foliage.
The blooms are striking. They’re a blend of gold, pink, red, and white, but each flower and petal is unique. They’re double-petaled and medium-sized, commonly blooming in clusters. ‘Camille Pissarro®’ rose has a moderate fragrance reminiscent of apples.
‘Maurice Utrillo™’
Another striped rose named for a French Impressionist painter, ‘Maurice Utrillo™’, is an excellent hybrid tea variety. It’s part of breeder Georges Delbard’s ‘Painter’s Collection’ and known for its exceptional performance and vibrant, colorful flowers.
The large, double blooms have a classic cup shape, with petals in creamy yellow and red, alternating in concentration of color, often on two sides of a single bloom. Each flower is unique and beautiful, and has a moderate fragrance that is sweet and delicate.
