In climates where winter temperatures reach lower than -20oF, chose nongrafted roses grown on their own roots. Several are available. These include the Morden and Explorer series, and specific varieties, such as 'Simplicity'. Plant own-root roses at the previous soil line, indicated by the color change on the thick shank above roots. Climate has another important effect on rose performance.
Roses growing in sunny, temperate regions tend to become larger than stated in some catalogs.
For instance, 'Sally Holmes' and 'Lady of the Dawn' are essentially climbers in warm, southern regions, but are medium-sized shrubs in the North. I polled rose experts throughout the U.S. to create the following list. Roses are arranged by height, beginning with the low-growing ground cover kinds. Because of distinctions other than size, own-root, rugosa and David Austin roses are listed separately. All are widely available, low-maintenance, profuse bloomers that are rarely bothered by pests or diseases.