As a general rule, hybrid musks and albas can tolerate more shades than most other rose classes. You could do a search on Helpmefind.com/roses for those two classes and see if theres anything that you like.

Out of those classes I grow Ballerina, Buff Beauty, Darlow's Enigma (sort of a hybrid musk), Celestial, Armide, Bubble Bath & Felicia.

While I do't grow it, Rogue Valley states that Dr. Robert Korn's is extremely shade tolerant. Their mother plant apparently receives almost no direct sunlight.

~Tammy

Here is a link that might be useful: Dr Robert Korns

Some of the David Austin roses might work, such as James Galway.

Antiques such as Zephirine Drouhin, Kathleen Harrop and Gruss an Aachen are some other possiblities.

'Too much' shade reduces the vigor of a rose, and makes it more prone to diseases like blackspot. Since blackspot is already going to be a big issue, whether or not you are willing to spray may determine whether or not this is going to work at all. The Fairy is very resistant to blackspot, though it can get other spot diseases like cercospora.

The less sun the less bloom too for most roses. I had some I had to move out of a bed because the tree near there got too tall and was shading that corner and all of the roses there quit blooming for me.

I don't recommend growing roses in too much shade--they should get at least 4-5 hours of sun. As others above noted, they will tend to get more diseases (like blackspot) and not bloom as much as they should.

However, if you want to experiment to see what might work in that much shade, David Austin says the following of his roses can get by in shady places: Shropshire Lad, Denjamin Britten, Bonica, Crocus Rose, Gertrude Jekyll, Golden Celebration, Graham Thomas, Grace, Hyde Hall, James Galway, Jude the Obscure, Kew Gardens, L.D. Braithwaite, Lady of Shalott, Mary Rose, St. Swithun, Susan Williams-Ellis, Tam O'Shanter, Teasing Georgia, Tess of the d'Urbervilles, The Mayflower, Winchester Cathedral, and Mortimer Sackler.

You can find more info. and pics of them at helpmefind.com (see below).

Here is a link that might be useful: helpmefind.com

Just remembered you asked about roses hardy in Zone 5.
Of the shady ones listed above, these are the ones hardy to Zone 4:

Shropshire Lad, Crocus Rose, Gertrude Jekyll, L.D. Braithwaite, Mary Rose, St. Swithun, Susan Williams-Ellis, The Mayflower, Winchester Cathedral.

David Austin also says "in general" all Austin roses are hardy to at least Zone 5--so there are probably others on my first list that would work in your region also.

Kate

Thanks everyone. I will start looking into those lists you all provided and also the helpmefind site. I will do a post at some point as to which one(s) I chose and let you know how they are doing. I would also like to cut down some trees, let's see if there is any budget for that this year! : )

Thanks for the great pictures, including some good shots of the entire bush that show habit and perspective.

Rose de Rescht is also shade tolerant.

Here is a link that might be useful: Rose de Rescht

Generous Gardener does very well in my shade area.

The presence of "many large oak trees" makes me wonder how dry your soil is? You might consider strategies like planting the rose in a 5 gallon pot and sinking the whole pot into the ground to avoid root competition from the trees.

The best rose for shade and other challenges is Rugosa Alba. It will grow any where and has these beautiful very fragrant flowers. Also suckers like mad!

Oak wood is quite valuable. If you did ever decide to remove a tree, you might be able to do so at no expense to yourself. I envy you all the excellent leaf mold. You are putting it on your garden, right? Or sharing with organic vege gardeners in the neighborhood? (I would gladly trade produce for leaves if I lived nearby). No need to let the city have it. Permiculturists list oak among the plants which allegedly exert a beneficial influence on all other plants. So, allegedly, does hemp (sigh).

I second the Rose De Rescht, and Darlows Enigma suggestions. They are among my best shady bloomers although you must be willing to spray if you want to grow Rose De Rescht. Others shade tolerants that are no spray are Home Run, and the Knockout roses. No scent on those, but real easy to grow. And all of these roses are great repeaters. My Albas did great in less than full sun, although they only bloom in the spring, but alas all except Felicite Parmentier are gone due to RRD. ANother 1x bloomer that does very well in part sun is the species Rosa Primula, my earliest bloomer. The leaves smell like incense and the flowers are bright yellow, also no spray.

My Rose de Rescht is in partial shade and it only blooms sporadically after the first spring flush.

Shade tolerant in my garden: Lyda Rose, the Knock Out roses, Pearl Drift, Rose a Parfum de la Hay, Ballerina, Darlow's Enigma, Betty Prior, Raubritter, The Fawn, Wasagaming, Ghislaine de Felegonde, Clair Matin, Rose de Rescht, White Meiland, to name some. I have read that Peter Mayle is also shade tolerant.

Thank you, mysteryrose, for the above info. I live in zone 5a, 1 hour west of Chicago, in a shady lot with lots of trees. Thank you, altorama, for posting those gorgeous pictures. HMF needs more full-bush shot like yours.

Hi Jmoyaux: Since Austin roses are from a rainy, less sun climate - some of them tolerate shade really well. Crown Princess Margareta was reported blooming in 2 hours of sun. Of the Austins that I grow, Wise Portia, Golden Celebration, Christopher Marlow, and Lady Emma Hamilton (English Musk) all bloom in 4 hours of sun. Austins are such water-hogs that planting them in partial-shade is actually an advantage.

Looks like "Sally Holmes". Are the buds peach color?

Hi, yes the buds are apricot/ pink . I have 2 and they look like they could be climbers. Thanks for any info you could give me.

Suri, welcome to the forum. What a lovely garden & adorable dog you have! Looks like Sally Holmes to me, too. http://www.helpmefind.com/rose/l.php?l=2.5589&tab=1 You can click the tabs across the top of that page (Description, Photos, Member Ratings, Member Comments, etc.) to find out more. You can also click on the name of the poster in each category to find where they garden, since reports from your general area will be more helpful to your growing conditions. Sally Holmes is usually grown as a climber, getting as big as you & your climate allow, but can be grown as a large freestanding shrub with lots of pruning. You might also begin a new post to invite comments, since these older threads get rather lost in the shuffle.