Variety Requirements

Hybrid Teas.  

While many rose shows will include a section for hybrid tea sprays, these blooms are almost always exhibited one per stem.  Side buds mean disqualification.  What is more, there should be no distracting evidence of scarring from disbudding.

Floribundas.  

Except in specially designated sections, floribundas are exhibited with multiple blooms on one stem.  A group of florets on one stem constitutes a spray.  The overall pattern the spray, or group of sprays, creates is called the inflorescences should show all stages of development:  green buds; buds just beginning to open; blooms one-third, one-half, and three-quarter open; and blossoms fully open.  With some varieties, stages of bloom are easily presented; they grow that way.  With others, only two, or even one stage, appear at any given time on a spray of blooms.  Since judges know that this characteristic is typical of the variety, these aren't overtly penalized, but a floribunda spray showing all stages of bloom will almost always win.

Grandifloras.  

Often exhibited just like hybrid teas and judged exactly the same way, grandifloras have identical exhibition standards.  When they have been exhibited one to a stem, winners can become eligible for yet higher awards:  the Court of Honor.

When grandifloras are exhibited with multiple blooms on one stem, the judging criteria are the reverse of those for floribunda sprays.  Here, all the blooms should be cut at the same stage of development, ideally classic exhibition form.  They are then judged according to their individual flower form and their overall appearance.

Singles.  

Most rose shows include a division for single roses, those varieties with five to twelve petals and a cluster of stamens in the middle.  For these varieties, stamens take the place of centers and weigh heavily in overall scoring.  Stamens must be fresh, a quality best proved by their color, which should be bright, never faded.  Stamen color differs by variety; judges know what is characteristic.