Researchers work on creating a blue rose for cultivators

Rajapakse said rose genomes will allow growers to more easily and quickly weed out undesirable plants.

Now, growers typically have to wait until all of their roses bloom to decide which plants to keep and which to discard.

"Biotechnology holds great promise for roses," Rajapakse said.

Among other biotechnology projects that may soon be under way is the creation through genetic engineering of thornless roses. Robert Skirvin, a professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, hopes his work with thornless blackberry bushes can be used to de-thorn the stems of brambled rose varieties.