by Ken Lain, The Mountain Gardener, Watters Garden Center
The mountains of Arizona are famous for easy-care roses. Because of the dry air and alkaline soils, we grow a better, brighter, more fragrant rose without the disease and insect issues that plague gardens in high-humidity states.
Every garden deserves at least one rose bush, whether in the ground, raised bed or a container.
Winners of the Best Mountain Roses for 2026 are those with fragrance, ease of care, long bloom cycles, and fadeless colors. Roses are listed in alphabetical order, not in order of popularity. Enjoy reading about this year’s list of the best mountain roses.
Arctic Blue
(double-ruffled lavender floribunda)
Pointed buds slowly unfurl to reveal spiraled flowers of lovely lilac pink, fading to lavender-blue with a cream reverse. The petals hold their color well, remaining attractive right until they are finished.
Falling in Love
(blushes of clear pink hybrid tea)
This rose makes your heart pitter-patter with its showy, fragrant flowers of warm pink and porcelain white. Each long-lived blossom is regally carried atop sturdy stems, just waiting to be cut and enjoyed. Destined to garner its share of awards, we’re confident you’ll swoon over Falling in Love.
Frida Kahlo
(fabulous jeweled floribunda)
World-acclaimed painter Frida Kahlo once said: “I paint flowers so they will not die.” Frida, the rose, is a lively reminder of her enduring spirit. The colored swirl of this rose intensifies as the flowers age, adding a red blush as the final touch. If you are one of Frida’s followers or merely a rose lover, plant her rose for a striking show of vibrant flowers on this compact, vigorous bush.
Good as Gold
(Sunset Gold hybrid tea)
Some might say “orange,” some “gold,” some “amber” or “double-dipped yellow.” However you perceive it, we guarantee it is bold and beautiful, especially with the kiss of red on the finish. This bushy bouquet fills your garden with loads of long-stemmed roses. Good as Gold is not for the lovers of pastel in their gardens.
Head over Heels
(pink cloud-like flowers, shrub)
Full, fluffy, light pink flowers repeatedly blooms through the season. A straightforward rose used along driveways right to the front door or planted in comfortably elegant containers.
Lady in Red
(large ruffled old-fashioned red, climber)
The large ruffled flowers will take your breath away. You will fall in love with her sturdy, fast-growth covered in classic red flowers. No other climbing rose shows off masked in red like this lady.
Neptune
(aquatic lavender hybrid tea)
You’ll idolize the big blossoms of luscious lavender tinged with just a touch of purple. This new rose is sure to get awards. The abundant blooms arrive on a praise-worthy plant with large glossy green leaves, good vigor and energetic vitality; best bloom size in colder temps.
Radiant Perfume
(citrus yellow grandiflora)
The boldest yellow rose with an intoxicating citrus fragrance! The long-stemmed flowers are perfect for gardens and bouquets full of blooms! The combination of dazzling color on long-stemmed flowers and the irresistible lemon scent makes Radiant Perfume a favorite.
Tropical Lightning
(fast sunset purple growth, climber)
No other rose comes close to this extraordinary color blend. Her tropical warmth comes in the form of vibrant sunset oranges with dazzling streaks of light cream. The effect is accentuated by a layer of purple smoke creating a burnt orange combo, perfect for a stormy sky! New growth shows in dark burgundy for an endless tropical storm of fragrant rosy blooms!
There you have the roses you’ll find mountain gardeners talking about in 2026. View all 25 rose winners for 2026
at Pinterest.com/WattersGardenCenter.
Water your new rose bush deeply twice a month for bouquets of full, plump flowers the entire year.
