Rose Cultivar Resistance

By Jay W. Pscheidt, OSU Extension Plant Pathology Specialist.

The fungal diseases rust, powdery mildew, and black spot are common in Pacific Northwest rose gardens. Cultivars in this table were grown and tested at the Portland, OR International Rose Test Garden; many also were grown at the Longview, WA Public Library Rose Garden. The list was originally compiled in 1990. Growers report that many of these cultivars are no longer easily available from rose suppliers. Also, cultivars may react differently in other areas of the Pacific Northwest. Roses found resistant in one location may be susceptible in another location due to the presence of different fungal strains. Also, resistant roses may become susceptible after a few years due to changes in the local fungal population. Editions of the PNW Plant Disease Control Handbook before 1991 list resistant rose cultivars available in the 1970s.

Below you will find seperate tables showing the color and disease reaction of Hybrid Teas, Grandifloras, Floribundas, and climbers. The disease reactions include R = Resistant, M = Moderate Resistance, and S = Susceptible.

Hybrid Teas
Cultivar	Color	Rust	Powdery Mildew	Black Spot
Blue Nile	M	R	M	M
Chicago Peace	PB	M	M	M
Color Magic	PB	M	M	M
Dainty Bess	LP	M	M	M
Double Delight	RB	M	M	M
Electron	DP	R	R	R
Folklore	OB	M	M	M
Fragrant Cloud	OR	R	M	M
Granada	RB	M	S	M
Headliner	PB	M	S	M
Heirloom	M	M	M	M
Helmut Schmidt	MY	R	M	R
Honor	W	M	M	M
Irish Gold	MY	M	M	M
Just Joey	OB	R	R	R
Keepsake	PB	R	R	R
Las Vegas	OB	R	R	R
Medallion	AB	M	M	M
Mr. Lincoln	DR	M	M	M
New Day	MY	R	M	R
Olympiad	MR	R	M	M
Paradise	MB	M	M	M
Pascali	W	R	M	M
Peace	YB	M	M	M
Peter Frankenfeld	DP	R	M	R
Polarstern	W	R	M	R
Precious Platinum	MR	R	M	R
Princess Margaret	MP	R	M	M
Pristine	W	R	M	M
Red Devil	MR	R	M	M
Silver Jubilee	PB	R	R	R
Tiffany	PB	M	M	M
Touch of Class	PB	R	S	M
Voodoo	OB	R	R	R

 

Grandiflora
Cultivar	Color	Rust	Powdery Mildew	Black Spot
Aquarius	PB	M	M	M
Camelot	DP	M	M	M
Gold Medal	DY	M	M	M
Love	RB	R	R	R
New Year	OB	R	M	R
Prominent	OR	R	M	M
Queen Elizabeth	MP	M	M	M
Shreveport	OB	M	M	M
Tournament of Roses	MP	R	R	R

 

Floribunda
Cultivar	Color	Rust	Powdery Mildew	Black Spot
Bonica	MP	R	M	R
Cherish	MP	R	M	M
Class Act	W	R	R	M
Escapade	M	M	M	R
Europeana	DR	R	R	R
Eye Paint	RB	R	R	M
French Lace	W	M	M	M
Iceberg	W	R	M	R
Impatient	OR	R	R	R
Intrigue	M	R	M	M
Little Darling	YB	M	M	M
Liverpool Echo	OB	R	R	R
Marina	OB	R	M	M
Matangi	RB	R	R	R
Orangeade	OR	M	M	R
Play Girl	MP	R	R	R
Playboy	RB	R	R	R
Redgold	YB	R	M	R
Regensberg	PB	R	R	R
Sarabande	OR	R	R	R
Sexy Rexy	MP	R	R	R
Shocking Blue	M	M	M	M
Showbiz	MR	R	R	R
Sun Flare	MY	R	M	M
Sunsprite	DY	M	M	M
Trumpeter	OR	R	R	R
Viva	DR	R	R	R

Climbers
Cultivar	Color	Rust	Powdery Mildew	Black Spot
Altissimo	MR	R	M	M
Dortmund	MR	R	R	R
Dublin Bay	MR	R	R	R
Golden Showers	MY	M	M	M
Handel	RB	R	M	M
Joseph’s Coat	RB	M	M	M
Royal Sunset	AB	R	R	R

 

Color Classification

AB = Apricot Blend, DP = Deep Pink, DR = Dark Red, DY = Deep Yellow, LP = Light Pink, M = Mauve, MB = Mauve Blend, MP = Medium Pink, MR = Medium Red, MY = Medium Yellow, OB = Orange Blend, OR = Orange Red, PB = Pink Blend, RB = Red Blend, W = White, and YB = Yellow Blend.

References:

Article last updated on January 1, 2009