@Hulk - here goes, LOL: Roses - since I don’t know much about your climate or soil, take this as ‘generic’ advice. First thing I’d do is make sure my planting area is well composted, drains decently, and the hole I dig is generous. Full sun is preferred. They like a soil Ph of around 6-6.5.
For a beginner I would probably suggest something in the ‘Knock Out’ line. They have a reputation for being solid performers. Take a look at Regan Nursery in California - website. They have a ton of roses. Just peruse them and get an idea of what you like.
I like roses by Kordes (they are a breeder/wholesaler) - they tend to be hardy and grow well.
Look for roses with the ‘AARS winner’ designation - All American Rose Selection trials are exactly that. They are growing trials where the roses are basically put in the ground and left alone. They are evaluated on their disease resistance, growth habit, etc.
I would, for the most part, stay away from own root roses unless you know for sure what you are doing! Landscape roses and shrub roses generally are own-root, and that’s fine they are usually that way, but hybrid teas? Not always a good bet. I went out of my way this winter to order from a nursery in Canada where I could get grafted roses on very hardy rootstock. In fact over the years I’d say my Canadian grown roses have been some of my best performers.
Cost-wise, well, you get what you pay for usually. I would go to a reputable nursery/garden center if I were you. I would look for roses that have a strong graft union, with decent size canes coming from it. I like to see my bareroots to have canes at least the size of my thumb. Now that said, your smaller floribunda’s or shrubs might not ever have stems like that, so buy the healthiest looking stock you can.
Floribunda’s are another class that generally perform well. They are usually a little smaller so fit into landscapes better.
Not all roses are fragrant, so if that matters…
A good site I found that is ‘member run’ is HelpMeFind.com - if you know the name of the rose, put it in and if it’s in there it will come up with all kinds of info on it - including pics by other gardeners. And comments on how it has grown for them.
As far as your soil goes, around here we have a ton of clay, and it can be thick enough to make a pot and fire it! Anyway compost compost compost if that’s your situation. All I have done to create good roses is amend my soil every year. In the beginning I tilled everything up/in, then in years going on, I would add 2-3 inches of compost, I also put down alfalfa pellets (roses love alfalfa), work it into the soil, plenty of water, and really that was all. Dead-head as needed. Prune in late winter/early spring.
Pruning is a whole 'nother subject. 
Does this help? If COTH will let me I will post pics in another post.
& from now on they can plant themselves! Even if it means just the BOSS kind - they are nice & tall & sunflowery.
