The article presents the analysis of breeding work with garden roses, carried out in the Nikitsky Botanical Gardens (NBG) from 1824 to the present time. There are three main historical stages, which have different breeding tasks, as well as methods of work: the first stage is connected with the work of N.A. Hartwiss, the second stage – N.D. Kostetsky and the third one – V.N. Klimenko, Z.K. Klimenko and K.I. Zykov. The most significant breeding achievements of the NBG’s rose breeders are indicated. Based on the analysis of the results of the introduction study of garden roses in the NBG, the main features of garden roses cultivation in the Southern Coast of the Crimea (SCC) are specified and the requirements for cultivars created for these conditions are determined. It is established that currently in the breeding work with roses in the NBG, there are four main directions. The first direction is the creation of cultivars with multiple long flowering, the total duration of which can exceed 200 days. A cultivar must endure difficult xerothermic conditions of the Southern Coast in July – August without losing of decorative value. The second task is the selection work with garden groups that are difficult to cultivate in the more northern areas. Among them, under conditions of the SCC, there are highly promising garden groups of miniature and climbing roses. The third direction of breeding is to increase resistance to major fungal diseases affecting roses under the conditions of the SCC. The basic breeding methods to achieve this objective are given. The fourth research line is the creation of cultivars with a strong aroma. These cultivars can be used in aerophytotherapeutic rosaries, arrangement of which in the SCC is relevant in connection with the development of the resort industry.