One of the keys to growing roses successfully in the harsh summers and generally mild, but unpredictable winters of this area (USDA zones 7b and 8a) is to choose types and varieties that are proven winners, in the gardening sense.  Here is a list of roses that are frequently recommended for gardens and landscapes in North Central Texas.  They are known to grow and perform well in this area, and they are highly resistant to -- or exhibit good tolerance for -- both insect pests and fungal diseases.

Of course, many other varieties could be included in a list such as this, but you won’t go wrong if you choose one or more of these.

This list has been updated as of January 25, 2002, to include all of the Texas A&M EarthKind™ no-spray roses, the names of which have been underlined, emboldened, and then colored maroon as a tribute to my Aggie friends and colleagues.   These were the qualifying roses from a four-year torture test of 117 varieties, which were planted in unamended native clay soil with a pH of 8.6, watered with a drip irrigation system, and mulched.  None were ever fertilized or sprayed for either fungal diseases or insect pests.  (Note that 'Livin' Easy' and 'Easy Going' fell out of the running at almost the last possible moment, when they began showing indications of black spot for the first time.)

ANTIQUE ROSES

Bourbons: Kronprincessin Victoria, Maggie, Souvenir de la Malmaison, Zéphirine Drouhin
Chinas: Archduke Charles, Green Rose, Louis Philippe, Martha Gonzales, Mutabilis, Old Blush, Sanguinea
Hybrid Perpetuals: Baronne Prévost, Frau Karl Druschki, La Reine, Marchesa Boccella
Noisettes: Blush Noisette, Lamarque, Madame Alfred Carrière, Maréchal Niel
Ramblers and Species: Albéric Barbier, Cherokee, Chestnut Rose, Mermaid, Silver Moon, Yellow Lady Banks
Teas: Duchesse de Brabant, Madame Joseph Schwartz, Madame Lombard, Monsieur Tillier, Sombreuil, William R. Smith

MODERN ROSES

Climbers: Altissimo, America, Climbing Cécile Brunner, Climbing Pinkie, Don Juan, Dr. W. Van Fleet, Dortmund, New Dawn
Floribundas: Class Act, Else Poulsen, Easy Going, Europeana, French Lace, Gene Boerner, Gypsy Dancer, Iceberg, Livin' Easy, Playboy, Playgirl, Spartan
Grandifloras: Aquarius, Arizona, Caribbean, Pink Parfait, Prima Donna, Shreveport, Tournament of Roses
Hybrid Musks: Buff Beauty, Cornelia, Felicia, Penelope, Prosperity
Hybrid Rugosas: all varieties (but in USDA zone 7 only, not in zones 8 or 9)
Hybrid Teas: Crystalline, Double Delight, First Prize, Fragrant Cloud, Lafter,  Mirandy, Peace, Pristine, Radiance, Rio Samba, Tropicana, Uncle Joe (El Toro)
Polyanthas: Caldwell Pink (Pink Pet), Cécile Brunner, La Marne, Marie Daly, Marie Pavié, Perle d’Or, Phyllis Bide, The Fairy, White Pet
Shrub Roses: Belinda's Dream, Bonica, Carefree Wonder, Earth Song, Katy Road Pink (Carefree Beauty), Knock Out, Meidiland roses (all), Sally Holmes, Sea Foam