Comparatively few of the hundred or more rose species found in the wild have contributed to the make up of present-day garden roses.
The principal parent species are:
- Rosa gallica
- Rosa moschata
- Rosa fetschenkoana
- Rosa canina
- Rosa chinensis
- Rosa gigantea
- Rosa foetida
- Rosa multiflora.
Significant sub-groups derived from
- Rosa arvensis
- Rosa pimpinellifolia
- Rosa wichurana
- Rosa rugosa
The following rose groups have been selected because they form part of a chain of evolving types providing the backbone of the history of this popular garden flower.