21 Neutral Colored Roses You Can Grow This Season

I love lots of color in the garden. However, sometimes I need to remind myself that when everything pops, nothing pops. Neutral shades outdoors give your eyes a calming resting place among all the bright tones, allowing the vibrant colors you’ve selected to make more of an impact.

On the other hand, neutral garden palettes can be lovely all on their own. Earthy, low-saturation hues in gentle creams, tans, blushes, and browns look elegant, relaxing, and tasteful.

In this article, we’ll explore 21 roses that add depth, dimension, and beauty to your garden while remaining color-neutral. They go with everything and look gorgeous standing on their own. Let’s check them out!

‘Silver Shadows’

	botanical name Rosa ‘Silver Shadows’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun-Part Shade
	height 3’ – 5’
	hardiness zones 5-9

‘Silver Shadows’ is a stunning pale silvery-lavender. It has very large (5 inches across!) elegant hybrid tea blooms.

This variety is a “Buck Rose,” a collection of roses from hybridizer Griffith Buck created for their rigor and cold hardiness. While it looks ethereal and fragile, ‘Silver Shadows’ will persevere through harsh winters with ease.

If you’re like me, fragrance is a priority. ‘Silver Shadows’ doesn’t disappoint with its delicious citrus fruit scent. This rose will wow when planted with other flowers in lavender shades.

‘Spice’

	botanical name Rosa ‘Spice’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun-Part Shade
	height 3’ – 6’
	hardiness zones 7-9

‘Spice’ has a unique peppery scent and ruffled old-fashioned bloom form. The petals are pale blush to apricot.

This variety is one of the Bermuda “Mystery Roses,” earning the title when they were discovered on the island and found untraceable in origin. It was later linked to the original China roses, distinguished by their compact stature and delicate flowers.

Flourishing in humid climates, this is a great choice for the American South where it stays evergreen. It tolerates drought well once established.

‘Stephen Rulo’

	botanical name Rosa ‘WECrulo’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun
	height 4’ – 6’
	hardiness zones 5-10

This is a special rose with subtle colors that are hard to capture in photos. ‘Stephen Rulo’ has waved petals in smoky mauve, gold, gray, and lavender. Cool weather brings out the warmer beige shades, while gray comes out in high temperatures.

The unique coloration of this grandiflora has made it highly sought after. If you can find it, you will love its profuse blooms from spring through fall. A gorgeous choice for cut flowers, ‘Stephen Rulo’ ices the cake with sweet perfume.

This rose is hardy down to zone 5. It looks wonderful with other pastel shades or planted en masse for a constantly evolving show of subtle color changes.

‘New Dawn’

	botanical name Rosa ‘New Dawn’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun-Part Shade
	height 10’ – 15’
	hardiness zones 5-9

This vigorous climber grows up to 15 feet tall and looks worthy of a fairy tale when draping over an arbor. ‘New Dawn’ produces abundant silver-blush blooms all summer long.

This rose was the very first to be patented in 1930. Crowned “World’s Favorite Rose” in 1997, it’s a dependable and hardy choice with loads of glamour. Its popularity doesn’t detract from the beauty of this robust bloomer.

‘New Dawn’ has long, thorny canes and needs sturdy support. It received the Earth-KindⓇ designation for excellent performance in dry heat with no chemical treatments and is perfect for gardeners who value water-wise plants and organic growing.

‘Koko Loko’

	botanical name Rosa ‘WEKbijou’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun- Part Shade
	height 3’ – 4’
	hardiness zones 6-10

This florist-favorite rose is in high demand for wedding arrangements. With rare caramel latte blooms with hints of pink and light purple, it has an intriguing look that’s striking in the garden.

‘Koko Loko’ performs well in both humid and arid climates and is a prolific bloomer. It’s an international gold medal winner that dazzles in bouquets with a fun grape juice fragrance.

Plant ‘Koko’ where it gets afternoon shade to bring out the deeper chocolate shades and in full sun for a milky lavender. You’ll fall in love with this one.

‘Quietness’

	botanical name Rosa ‘Quietness’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun
	height 4’ – 5’
	hardiness zones 5-9

We all need a little more quiet in our lives. ‘Quietness’ double blooms open to a soft shell pink. Another tough “Buck Rose,” this variety is hardy down to -20℉.

This romantic rose has continual flushes of blooms all season. It has a lush, classic rose fragrance that wafts through the garden.

‘Quietness’ is an attractive shrub for the garden. It has a sturdy, compact structure and a nice mounded shape. This is a remarkably healthy variety with a gentle aesthetic.

‘Bolero’

	botanical name Rosa ‘MEIdelweiss’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun
	height 3’ – 4’
	hardiness zones 5-9

‘Bolero’ is a top-selling rose with globe-shaped buds that open to a flat, frilly bloom. The outer petals are ivory, and the centers are rich cream. Its dreamy fragrance recalls honey and candied tropical fruits.

One of the most beloved white roses, ‘Bolero’s’ small stature makes it versatile in the garden. At 3-4 feet tall, it mixes well with taller and bolder plants, like purple delphiniums. It also looks lovely in patio containers.

‘Bolero’ is healthy and nearly ever-blooming in summer. Its creamy colors are a perfect foil for brighter tones and look elegant in bouquets all on their own.

‘Honey Dijon’

	botanical name Rosa ‘WEKsproulses’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun- Part Shade
	height 3’ – 5’
	hardiness zones 6-9

Everyone will ask you about this golden caramel rose. ‘Honey Dijon’ is appropriately named, with honey-colored rose blooms occasionally flecked with crimson. Usually spied in professional arrangements, it makes an equally striking shrub in the garden.

‘Honey Dijon’ is a bloom machine from spring ‘til frost. It has a delectable fruity scent and a healthy disposition. The deeper honey-mustard tones are richest in the cooler months of spring and fall.

This unusual variety has a long vase life and great disease resistance. You won’t find its color replicated anywhere else. I love it paired with cream roses and pale purple phlox. 

‘Stainless Steel’

	botanical name Rosa ‘WEKblusi’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun
	height 3’ – 6’
	hardiness zones 7-10

‘Stainless Steel’ is often marketed as a more disease-resistant ‘Sterling Silver,’ the OG cool light purple rose. This variety is a stunning frosty white with dusty purples that show up best in cool temps.

While ‘Stainless Steel’ is more reliable than some of its lavender predecessors, it’s still a hybrid tea that likes a bit of pampering. Give it winter protection and monitor for pests to keep it healthy.

This is an exposition-worthy variety with a lovely high-centered form and long, sturdy stems. It’s pretty in bouquets and mixed borders and will lure you in with intoxicating tea rose scent.

‘Penelope’

	botanical name Rosa ‘Penelope’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun-Part Shade
	height 5’ – 8’
	hardiness zones 5-10

Do you need a hardy shrub for a shady corner? Whimsical ‘Penelope,’ introduced in 1924, thrives in partial shade and produces generous trusses heavy with open, semi-double flowers.

‘Penelope’ is a nicely shaped large shrub great for landscaping. It blooms repeatedly during the season and emits a delightful fruity musk perfume.

‘Penelope’s’ has tiny blush buds that unfurl into white flowers with notes of light pink. They’re complemented by prominent gold stamens. Its dark green foliage is attractive and healthy. Plant this no-fuss multiple award winner for an easy neutral backdrop.

‘Heavenly Ascent’

	botanical name Rosa ‘Heavenly Ascent’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun
	height 6’ – 10’
	hardiness zones 5-10

‘Heavenly Ascent’ is a luscious climber with old-fashioned, petal-packed blooms in deep cream. Its centers have a slight apricot tinge. What’s heavenly about it, you ask? Well, this rose smells like a dreamy floral and vanilla musk perfume.

Plant ‘Heavenly’ near your seating areas for some serious aromatherapy. Wind it up a trellis or column for a vertical display of flowers reaching up to 10 feet. While blooms are small at 2.5 inches, they appear abundantly, blanketing the plant all season.

This is a new, disease-resistant rose introduced in 2022. Try it out this year, and let us know how it does in your garden!

‘Iceberg’

	botanical name Rosa ‘KORbin
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun-Part Shade
	height 4’– 15’
	hardiness zones 5-11

I recommend this rose a lot. Workhorse ‘Iceberg’ is just a no-fail snowy white rose that deserves a spot in any garden. It blooms generously from spring through fall and can be trained as a full bushy shrub or a tall climber.

When several ‘Iceberg’ roses are planted over a wide arch, the effect is a dazzling curtain of cotton-white blooms. The flowers are small and ruffled, smothering the bush. Its long arching canes are flexible and easy to train.

This rose is tough. It thrives through hot summers (some afternoon shade will protect its color from scorch) and extreme winters. It was one of a few with no dieback in my garden this year. A Hall of Fame winner!

‘Rubens’

	botanical name Rosa ‘Rubens’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun-Part Shade
	height 3’– 5’
	hardiness zones 7-11

Are you a fan of the voluptuous women immortalized by Dutch painter Peter Paul Rubens? Bring that lavish and indulgent look to your garden with ‘Rubens,’ an heirloom rose named for the artist.

‘Rubens’ is a compact and free-flowering shrub with romantic swirled blooms in cream and pale pink. It repeat-flowers all season. Introduced in 1859, this is a wonderful Old Garden rose with modern appeal.

As ‘Rubens’ flowers mature, they deepen into a coffee beige. The showy cupped blooms are fantastic cut flowers.

‘Winter Magic’

	botanical name Rosa ‘FOUmagic’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun
	height 18’ – 20’
	hardiness zones 5-9

If you’re working with limited space, this enchanting miniature will appeal. ‘Winter Magic’ is a tiny rose with bewitching silvery beauty. It has white petals touched with shimmering lavender.

At only 20” tall, ‘Winter Magic’ is a great choice for pots or window boxes. This variety has won several “Queen of Show” awards with its perfect swirled form and citrusy scent.

This mini’s fragile look belies a tough nature. It’s particularly winter hardy and robust, with bushy green leaves that stand up to pests and disease issues. Plant ‘Winter Magic’ for a cool-hued little rose that doesn’t need a lot of maintenance.

‘Madame Alfred Carriere’

	botanical name Rosa ‘Madame Alfred Carriere’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun-Part Shade
	height 8’– 20’
	hardiness zones 6-10

In my opinion, the beauty of roses makes their prickly thorns tolerable. However, nobody likes pruning a rose that fights back! ‘Madame Alfred Carriere’ is a thorn-free antique rose that will let you prune, prickle-free.

‘Madame’ is a French noisette bred in 1875. Noisettes are treasured in the southern US, where they thrive despite high heat and humidity.

This Old Rose Hall of Fame variety is a fast grower that climbs up to 20 feet high. It has profuse clusters of exquisite blush ruffly flowers with musky perfume appearing throughout the season. Plan for strong support like an arbor or sturdy trellis so this heirloom rose has room to shine! 

‘Distant Drums’

	botanical name Rosa ‘Distant Drums’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun-Part Shade
	height 3’ – 4’
	hardiness zones 5-10

A richer neutral than the other blooms on this list, ‘Distant Drums’ produces flowers in copper, mauve, and pink that look stunning with nearly all other colors. This rose garners tons of attention due to its distinctive, nuanced color combo.

‘Distant Drums’ is frequently requested in floral arrangements and is unrivaled for its unique appearance. The petals have a waved, sculptural look and an enticing myrrh and anise fragrance.

This variety is a high-performing and disease-resistant showstopper. Let it dry out thoroughly between waterings and cut often for more blooms!

‘Danae’

	botanical name Rosa ‘Danae’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun-Part Shade
	height 5’ – 6’
	hardiness zones 6-10

If you like just a touch of buttery yellow, you’ll love ‘Danae’. This is a hybrid musk rose, a class characterized by perpetual blooms, handsome leathery foliage, and robust growth habit.

‘Danae’ is named for a Greek myth in which a daughter of royalty was seduced by Zeus as he appeared in the form of golden rain. It has golden-yellow buds that slowly open to ivory semi-double blooms. This is a popular rose with pollinators for its easily accessible flower form.

‘Danae’ is a charming large shrub with a subtle sunny cheer all season long. It tolerates difficult dry-shade areas. Its strong musk rose scent and pretty orange hips through winter add to its attributes.

‘Ash Wednesday’

	botanical name Rosa ‘Aschermittwoch’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun-Part Shade
	height 12’ – 18’
	hardiness zones 5-9

This is a robust climbing rose with smoky lilac blooms that draw the eye when trained up a trellis. ‘Ash Wednesday’ is from Kordes, a breeder known for dependably healthy roses. This variety is often planted to commemorate the Catholic holiday of the same name.

‘Ash Wednesday’ produces its most impressive flush in spring but will repeat with smaller bloom displays throughout the season. The flowers are excellent in bouquets.

In bright sun, the double blooms have hints of beige-pink. ‘Ash’ tolerates shady areas with ease and complements a wide range of other colors in the garden. Try it with coral hues for an unexpected combination. 

‘Seafoam’

	botanical name Rosa ‘Seafoam’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun-Part Shade
	height 2’ – 3’
	hardiness zones 4-9

Did you know that roses can make a striking and consistently blooming ground cover? Gracefully trailing ‘Seafoam’ stays under 3 feet tall and has heavy clusters of white double blooms.

This variety looks elegant when allowed to spill over the edges of a container or drape over a rock wall. It regularly flowers all season with frosty white blooms that have a tint of spring green.

‘Seafoam’ is a versatile choice that works in borders, hanging baskets, or as a specimen plant. It’s hardy and shade tolerant, and surprisingly stunning in informal weeping bouquets.

‘Alister Stella Gray’

	botanical name Rosa ‘Alister Stella Gray’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun-Part Shade
	height 8’– 18’
	hardiness zones 5-9

This peachy noisette rose has magical little pompon flowers on a large forest-green shrub. This strapping rose will gladly climb up a tree with training. It sprawls into a giant arching shrub if left to its own devices.

‘Alister Stella Gray’ is named for the son of the breeder, who brought this rose to market in 1894. It has prolific clusters of peach and yellow-tinged pale double blooms.

While often classified as a rambler, ‘Alister Stella Gray’ differs in that it blooms repeatedly through the summer. It performs best in warm climates and has a nice tea rose fragrance. Try it underplanted with blue flax for an understated yet eye-catching display.

‘Amazone’

	botanical name Rosa ‘Amazone’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun
	height 4’ – 6’
	hardiness zones 7-9

‘Amazone’ is a luminous lemony ivory tea rose. The foliage has beautiful red veining and burgundy new growth. In cooler temperatures, the flowers develop a tawny hue.

This moderate-sized tea rose was popular in the Victorian era but still has much to offer the modern gardener. It’s especially heat tolerant and robust, with repeat flushes during summer. When mature, ‘Amazone’s’ outer petals reflex slightly, adding to its appeal.

Floriferous, fragrant, and disease-resistant, ‘Amazone’ is a timeless beauty that fits in anywhere.