As I write this post about thornless roses, I have a song stuck in my head—Poison’s Every Rose Has Its Thorn. You know the one. I wish I were classy enough to reflect instead on Anne Bronte’s famous quote, “But he who dares not grasp the thorn should never crave the rose,” or Alphonse Carr’s, “Some people grumble that roses have thorns; I am grateful that thorns have roses.”
But no, it’s the power ballad from the eighties that’s playing on repeat in my mind. What can I say? I’m a product of my time.
It’s mostly true that every rose has its thorn—it’s fundamental to their nature. This dichotomy of pleasure and pain makes roses an apt symbol for love, even without the cultural associations. Of course, thorns also serve a practical role in nature, helping to deter herbivores and protect the plant from damage.
You might think my opinion on thorny roses would be swayed by the countless cuts, scrapes, and punctures I’ve endured while handling them. Strangely, it’s not. I hardly think of the thorns unless they’re poking me at the moment. In fact, thorniness is such a given that when someone asks me to recommend a thornless rose, I often have to stop and think about it.
Why Choose Thornless Roses?
When customers ask me about thornless roses, they almost always have a good reason. Who wants a heavily armed rose next to a front entrance or patio, where unsuspecting guests might get snagged? Parents with small children, in particular, are rightly concerned about a tumble into a bramble.
Thornless roses aren’t just practical—they’re beautiful. And for gardeners who value both aesthetics and ease of maintenance, they can be a perfect choice.
Popular Thornless and Low-Thorn Roses
When most people think of thornless roses, they start with the classic ‘Zephirine Drouhin.’ It’s a famous Bourbon rose with deep pink flowers and a captivating fragrance. While it’s indeed thornless in my experience, it’s also notoriously prone to mildew. I don’t spray in my garden, so Zephirine has defoliated itself more than once. I might try growing it again someday, but it’s not a rose I recommend lightly.
Instead, I often suggest:
- ‘Amadis’: A beautiful deep pink climber that’s nearly thornless and a joy to grow.
- ‘Veilchenblau’: A gorgeous, almost-blue rambler with smooth canes. It lacks fragrance and blooms for a limited season, but it’s a striking addition to the garden.
- ‘Iceberg’: A popular white rose with smooth canes and abundant blooms.
- ‘Therese Bugnet’: This Canadian shrub rose has smooth new growth with stunning red canes, though older stems may still have thorns.
- ‘Cécile Brünner’: A charming miniature rose with delicate, light pink flowers and almost thorn-free stems.
- ‘Ghislaine de Féligonde’: A delightful rambler with soft apricot blooms and minimal thorns, bringing charm and practicality to any garden.
- ‘Cardinal de Richelieu’: A historic gallica rose with deep purple blooms, nearly thornless canes, and a compact growth habit, perfect for smaller gardens.
- ‘Chloris’: An elegant alba rose with soft pink, fragrant blooms and smooth stems, adding charm to any landscape.
- ‘Crepuscule’: A repeat-flowering noisette rose with warm apricot blooms and smooth canes, ideal for a cottage-style garden
- .‘Geschwind’s Orden’: A rare and unique hybrid with semi-double, pale pink blooms and a relatively thornless habit, appreciated by collectors
- .‘Lady Hillingdon’: Known for its striking apricot blooms and nearly thorn-free stems, this climber exudes elegance and fragrance.
- ‘Paul Neyron’: A hybrid perpetual with enormous, rose-pink blooms, smooth stems, and vigorous growth, perfect for making a bold statement.
- ‘Complicata’: A robust shrub rose with striking, single-petaled pink flowers and a sprawling habit. Low in thorns and high in impact.
- ‘Sophie’s Perpetual’: A charming damask perpetual with small, fragrant flowers and minimal thorns, loved for its delicate beauty.
- ‘Therese Bugnet’: This hardy shrub rose features smooth red canes on new growth and fragrant, double pink blooms. While older stems may have thorns, it’s still a favorite among thornless varieties.
And here are some thornless climber recommendations from the RHS. It’s worth noting that while many roses described as thornless still have occasional prickles, certain species—such as Rosa banksiae—are genuinely and entirely thornless. These exceptions remind us that nature loves its quirks.
A Case for Thorny Roses
While thornless roses are practical, don’t overlook the charms of their thorny cousins. Take ‘Prairie Peace,’ a Canadian treasure with beautiful blooms and bristly stems that add to its unique character.
Thorns can also serve practical purposes, like protecting stems from browsing animals. In some cases, they even contribute to the rose’s visual appeal. My suggestion? Plant thornless varieties near pathways and entrances, but don’t shy away from placing a few thornier roses deeper in the garden. From a distance, you might forget the thorns altogether—until pruning time, of course.
Final Thoughts
There are so many incredible roses with unique features that it would be a shame to disqualify the majority just because they have thorns. Still, thornless and low-thorn varieties have earned their place for their beauty and practicality. Whether you’re planting for safety, ease of care, or sheer elegance, there’s a rose for every garden—and every gardener.
