Defining color in roses has been resolved by the American Rose Society, which as the custodian of the registration process, has devised a classification scheme that divides the spectrum of colors into 18 distinct color classes.

w - white, near white & white blend

ly - light yellow

my - medium yellow

dy - deep yellow

yb - yellow blend

ab - apricot & apricot blend

ob - orange & orange blend

op - orange-pink & orange-pink blend

or - orange-red & orange-red blend

lp - light pink

mp - medium pink

dp - deep pink

pb - pink blend

mr - medium red

dr - dark red

rb - red blend

m - mauve & mauve blend

r - russet