In 2000 after many years of unsuccessfully growing
mainly fussy and tender Hybrid Tea roses in rural zone 5,
I found information on hardy and easy to grow roses. 
I have experimented with well over 200 roses
but I've gradually eliminated the ones that didn't thrive
or were disease magnets.
Currently I grow around 50 -60 roses.
I keep experimenting. Roses are addicting!
There are indeed carefree and hardy old fashioned
                                                  & species roses that will thrive even in zone 4
                                                  as well as many modern shrub roses that you should try. 



                                           


Make sure to not over look once blooming
roses which are some of the most hardy, intensely
fragrant and prolific roses that I appreciate 
more and more with each passing year.
I highly recommend trying once blooming
Alba's & Ramblers and repeat blooming
Canadian Explorers, Morden/Pavement
and Rugosas for very easy to grow roses.
Modern but old fashioned looking 
David Austin English Roses such as
'Constance Spry', (pict. below)
'Mary Rose'
'Winchester Cathedral' & 'Heritage'
which do especially well in cold zones.

My favorite rose nurseries....
Pickering Nurseries  (for grafted virus free roses)
Roses Unlimited  (for own root roses)
Resist buying cheap wax coated roses.
The little extra investment in money and time
its takes to purchase quality roses will give you
years of pleasure.

Most roses take 3-4 years
to get established
and should not be judged
by their1st - 2nd growing seasons.


How roses grow...
~First year they sleep
~Second year they creep
~Third year they leap

June bouquet on the right made of
English Roses, Albas, Ramblers and Peonies.
                                                                                                                                                                            

Alba 'Pompon Blanc Parfait' with Sebastopol goslings/2005

To read an article on "cane hardy " roses with
links to other websites on hardy roses
Click Here

To go to my gardening link page
Click Here

Recommended Reading:

"Growing Roses in Cold Climates" by Jerry Olson & John Whitman
"Roses for Michigan" by Nancy Lindley

You might also want to visit The American Rose Society website