Treat yourself to these new roses coming out in 2026

For The Union-Tribune

Do you like to be the first in the neighborhood to grow the newest roses? Here is a peek at the brand new 2026 roses. They will be in nurseries very, very soon and these beauties will be hard to resist. Look also for the wonderful roses that have won awards for horticultural excellence from American Garden Rose Selections (AGRS) and American Rose Trials for Sustainability (A.R.T.S.).

2026 rose releases

Hybrid teas

‘Martha Stewart’ introduced by Star Roses for The House of Meilland, has large blooms of over 100 petals unfurling in shades of “ballet pink” and apricot. The blooms have a strong lemon verbena, bergamot and honeysuckle fragrance. The plant is compact, at under 3 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide, has dark glossy foliage and exhibits excellent disease resistance. In France, the rose is named ‘Jean de la Fontaine.’

‘Nothing but Class,’ introduced by Weeks Roses and hybridized by Christian Bédard, has a strong sweet and fruity scent. The elegant 50- to 130-petal count, very large blooms are a dark carmine pink. The foliage is dark and very glossy, and the upright, medium-tall plant has very good disease resistance.

‘Parfuma Sunrise’ is a Kordes rose introduced by Star Roses. The 3-to 4-inch 60-petal count, romantic double blooms are apricot and cream with pink outer petals. The blooms’ strong fragrance is reminiscent of peach, fruit, citrus and spices and tea. Upright and bushy, the plant is 4 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide, is hardy to Zone 4, and has very good disease resistance.

‘Zuzu’ is a medium red rose hybridized by Burling Leong and introduced by Burlington Rose Nursery. The 25-petal, 3-inch blooms are slightly fragrant. The plant is 4 feet tall and 3 feet wide. The rose is named for Zuzu, the daughter of George Bailey in the classic movie “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Those familiar with the movie will remember that the rose petals are an integral part of the story.

Grandiflora

‘Living the Dream,’ hybridized by Christian Bédard and introduced by Weeks Roses, has very double, cuppy, quartered, old-fashioned, yellow-gold and magenta blooms. The medium-large, 90- to 160-petaled blooms are produced singly and in small clusters. The blooms have a strong fruity and citrus fragrance. The medium-tall, upright and moderately spreading plant has medium glossy foliage and excellent disease resistance.

Floribundas

‘Fabulous Frenches’ is an unusual cream-centered rose with light mauve and red outer swirls. The rose is hybridized by Burling Leong and introduced by Burlington Rose Nursery. This disease resistant, 4- to 5-foot-tall rose is an excellent repeat bloomer. The moderately fragrant, 3- to 4-inch, 20-petal count blooms are produced singly, and in small clusters. The plant’s parentage is ‘Fourth of July’ x ‘Angel Face.’

‘Fashion Forward,’ hybridized by Christian Bédard and introduced by Weeks Roses, has cuppy, quartered, old-fashioned and very double medium pink and white bicolor blooms. The medium-large, 100- to 135-petalled blooms are produced singly and in small clusters and have a strong fruity fragrance with hints of citrus. This medium, upright floribunda has deep green, glossy foliage and excellent disease resistance.

‘Light Years Away,’ hybridized by Christian Bédard and introduced by Weeks Roses, has old-fashioned, spiraled, dark-magenta blooms. The medium-large, 75- to 100-petaled blooms have a strong fruity and citrus fragrance. This medium, upright and moderately spreading floribunda has medium-glossy foliage and excellent disease resistance.

‘Purple Aura’ is a Meilland rose introduced by Star Roses. The 3- to 4-inch, 35-petal count, vibrant magenta-purple blooms have a spicy scent reminiscent of clove and cinnamon. The bush is 3 1/2 to 4 feet tall and has matte, medium green foliage.

Shrub roses

‘Enchanted Meadow’ is a Will Radler rose introduced by Star Roses. The multicolor blooms bring a magical, multicolor effect to the garden. Each cuplike 15-petal bloom is lined with deep pink and opens to reveal a creamy, ice-green interior. The bushy rose is 4 feet tall and wide and has a slight fragrance.

‘Oso Easy Red Stripe,’ hybridized by Pheno Geno and introduced by Spring Meadow Nursery/Proven Winners ColorChoice was selected for its superior disease resistance, health and vigor, as well as for its prolific blooms. The appealing red-white bi-color, 60-to 70-petal count blooms have an average diameter of 3 inches, and no two blooms are alike. The 3- to 4 1/2-foot shrub rose is easy to grow.

‘Reminiscent Yellow’ is hybridized by Chris Warner and introduced by Spring Meadow Nursery and Proven Winners ColorChoice. The 4-inch large, 17- to 25-petal ruffled, yellow blooms have a light spice fragrance. The 3- to 4 1/2-foot-tall plant has exceptional vigor and outstanding disease resistance. ‘Reminiscent Crema,’ ‘Reminiscent Coral’ and ‘Reminiscent Pink’ are three other compact landscape roses introduced by Proven Winners in recent years.

Miniatures

‘Tom Mayhew’ is hybridized by Dr. Suni Bolar and introduced by High Country Roses. The stunning apricot, amber and tan blend, 26- to 40-petal count blooms have a moderate fruity fragrance. An excellent choice for exhibition and gardens, this miniature rose is a continuous bloomer. The rose is named in honor of the late master rosarian and renowned photographer Tom Mayhew.

‘Sugar Candy Rose’ is hybridized by the House of Meilland and introduced by Star Roses. It has eye-catching, bright orange 3-inch blooms that have a very slight sweet scent. The compact, bushy plant is 18 inches tall and wide and is ideal for growing in small spaces and containers.

Groundcover

‘Scarlet Drift,’ introduced by Star Roses for the House of Meilland, is an early blooming rose. This compact, bushy plant features a continuous display of 2-inch, single-petal red flowers. It grows to be about 18 inches tall and 24 inches wide.

Horticultural Excellence Award Winners

The American Garden Rose Selections (AGRS) 2026 winners:

• ‘Buttercream Drift,’ introduced by Star Roses and Plants.

• ‘Butterfly Bliss,’ introduced by Antique Rose Emporium.

• ‘ Glass Slipper,’ introduced by Antique Rose Emporium.

• ‘Make Me Blush,’ introduced by Weeks Roses.

• ‘Persian Eye,’ introduced by Altman Plants.

• ‘Reminiscent Pink,’ introduced by Spring Meadow Nursery.

• ‘True Crush,’ introduced by Altman Plants.

• ‘True Happiness,’ introduced by Altman Plants.

• ‘White Lies,’ introduced by Certified Nurseries.

• ‘Blushing Drift’ is a pink blend ground cover rose introduced in 2022 by Meilland. It won a regional choice award for all six AGRS regions.

The American Rose Trials for Sustainability (A.R.T.S.) 2026 winners

Master Rose Award Winners are roses that earn a Local Artist Award in four of the six trial regions:

• ‘Blushing Drift,’ introduced by Star Roses and Plants.

• ‘Bee Sweet Dessert First,’ introduced by J. Berry Nursery and Genetics.

• ‘Ruby Red,’ introduced by Star Roses and Plants.

Local Artist Award Winners

• ‘Celeste BlueSky,’ introduced by Altman Plants.

• ‘Easy Spirit,’ introduced by Weeks Roses.

• ‘Elizabeth,’ introduced by David Austin Roses.

• ‘Julie Andrews,’ introduced by Certified Nurseries.

• ‘Maurice Utrillo,’ introduced by Certified Nurseries.

• ‘Patriot Dream,’ by Bailey Nurseries.

• ‘Reminiscent Coral,’ introduced by Spring Meadow Nursery.

• ‘Ringo Double Pink,’ introduced by Spring Meadow Nursery.

• ‘True Confidence,’ introduced by Altman Plants.

• ‘True Crush,’ introduced by Altman Plants.

• ‘White Lies,’ introduced by Certified Nurseries.

Pruning workshop

January is the month we prune our roses in San Diego. Come learn how at the San Diego Rose Society’s annual Rose Pruning Workshop, which will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. on Jan. 10 in the Inez Grant Parker Balboa Park Rose Garden. For more information, visit sandiegorosesociety.com.

Perwich is a member of the San Diego Rose Society, a Consulting Rosarian and a Master Gardener with UC Cooperative Extension. For more information and advice, visit rose-harmony.com.