A Florist’s Guide to Rose Varieties with Fewer Thorn
Roses are beloved for their beauty and fragrance, but their thorns can be a challenge for florists and gardeners alike. Fortunately, some rose varieties have fewer or softer thorns, making them easier to handle for arrangements, bouquets, and gardens. Here’s a flower shop guide to some of the best nearly thornless roses.
1. Hybrid Tea Roses (Elegant & Classic)
Hybrid tea roses are popular for their large, elegant blooms and long stems, ideal for cut flowers. Some varieties have very few or no thorns.
'Smooth Prince' – A deep red rose with a classic hybrid tea shape and minimal thorns.
'Smooth Velvet' – A rich, velvety red rose with a strong fragrance and almost no thorns.
'Mme Legras de St. Germain' – A white hybrid tea with a lovely old-fashioned bloom and very few thorns.
2. Shrub Roses (Hardy & Bushy)
Shrub roses are disease-resistant and hardy, making them great for landscaping while being easier to handle.
'Zephirine Drouhin' – A stunning, fragrant, deep pink Bourbon rose that is nearly thornless.
'Reine des Violettes' – A mauve-lavender antique rose with almost no thorns and a delightful scent.
'Cécile Brunner' – A small, pale pink climbing rose with minimal thorns and abundant blooms.
3. Climbing Roses (Perfect for Trellises & Arches)
Climbing roses add vertical beauty to gardens, and some varieties are nearly thorn-free, making them ideal for training on structures.
'Zephirine Drouhin' – (Mentioned above) This rose is one of the most famous thornless climbers.
'Reine Olga de Württemberg' – A deep pink climbing rose with very few thorns.
'Golden Showers' – A bright yellow climbing rose with minimal thorns and a light fragrance.
4. Miniature Roses (Delicate & Compact)
Miniature roses are great for indoor arrangements, patios, and borders, and some varieties have softer or fewer thorns.
'Sweet Chariot' – A mauve miniature rose with a strong scent and almost no thorns.
'Climbing Pinkie' – A soft pink miniature climber with very few thorns and a long bloom season.
'Perle d'Or' – A peachy-apricot miniature rose with a light fragrance and smooth stems.
5. Old Garden Roses (Timeless & Fragrant)
Historic roses often have unique scents and charming shapes, with some being almost thorn-free.
'Madame Alfred Carrière' – A nearly thornless white-to-pale pink climbing rose with a strong fragrance.
'Souvenir de la Malmaison' – A soft pink Bourbon rose with a delightful fragrance and few thorns.
'Alba Maxima' – A white rose with elegant, double-petaled blooms and minimal thorns.
Tips for Handling Roses with Fewer Thorns
Even “thornless” roses may have tiny prickles—wear gloves when handling them.
Keep stems hydrated to prevent them from becoming brittle.
When arranging bouquets, use thorn-free varieties for hand-tied arrangements to prevent scratches.
If a favorite rose has thorns, carefully remove them with a floral knife or thorn stripper.
Choosing rose varieties with fewer thorns makes floral arrangements and gardening much easier while still delivering beauty and fragrance. Whether you're a florist or a home gardener, these varieties offer the best of both worlds—graceful roses without the pain!
