Garden Mastery Tips
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March 2009 |
Miniature Roses – Versatile Landscape Gems
What landscape plant is hardy, inexpensive, blooms from April into October in many colors, comes in several sizes and grows very successfully in the ground or in containers? In spite of these important attributes is often over-looked and under-used by gardeners? Is seldom found in public gardens? Is rarely found in local garden centers? Can be used to line a walkway or a driveway, as a border for a garden, to fill in a difficult corner or planted for contrast in front of larger and more heavily foliaged plants? Is ideal for today’s smaller gardens, rock gardens, decks or patios and for all types and sizes of containers including hanging baskets? Is effective when grown among selected perennials such as heuchera, sedum, day lilies and lavender as well as bonsai groupings? What is this mysterious and versatile plant?…It is the miniature rose!
Where can you find these little gems? There are thousands of varieties readily available. Our recommendation is to check with nurseries that specialize in miniature roses. There are many who sell on-line and/or through mail order catalogs (see below). Local garden centers rarely carry miniature roses and if they do stock them, the selection will be small.
But before proceeding, a few words on miniature roses found in super markets, drug stores, hardware stores, etc. While they serve their purpose as temporary enjoyment, (usually 7–14 days), they are not bred as garden roses for disease resistance. They do not have the flower form, beauty or color range of the garden miniatures, thus their garden performance is often disappointing.
Varieties and Colors
The four recommended nurseries will have approximately 600 varieties in stock. The American Rose Society has divided the spectrum of colors into 18 distinctive color classes. Many variations in color occur in blooms within these classes because of differences in soil, moisture, temperature, fertilization, sun and other conditions in which the rose is grown. Colors range from white through yellow, pink, orange, mauve and red. There are no blue roses.
The catalogs of the four specialty nurseries have color photographs and detailed descriptions including size, growth habit, sometimes disease resistance ratings and location preference, such as full sun, partial shade, etc.
Your mini roses will usually arrive in small pots ready for planting. Plants will be securely wrapped to prevent drying or damage. Upon receipt, open the package and check for adequate moisture. Continue to water until planting. Plants will be labeled and detailed planting directions included. Two important caveats… minis like 6 hours+ sun and adequate moisture. Never allow the soil to dry out. Garden minis do very poorly indoors and will rarely survive in normal home conditions. Prices for miniatures will be in the $7.00 to $8.00 range.
One of the distinguishing features of these small gems is that they are perfectly proportionate, with diminutive flowers, foliage and habit. Miniature roses are smaller versions of many of the different full-size plants, including hybrid teas, old garden roses and wild roses.
We have about 50 varieties of miniature roses in our garden, with about 30 in the ground and 20 in different size and shaped containers. Some are tucked in with other plants as described and are located both individually and in groupings.
Oh yes…and there are a number of varieties that have noticeable fragrances. This will also be noted in some of the catalogs. Take time to enjoy a few of these versatile gems in your own garden. You won’t be disappointed.
Sizes
| Micro-miniatures: | range in height from 4" to 5" |
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| Miniatures: | short – range from 12" to 16" tall |
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| Mini-floras: | generally range from 16" to over 24" tall |
Nurseries Specializing in Miniature Roses
Bridges Roses
2734 Toney Rd.
Lawndale, NC 28090
Tel: 704-538-9412
e-mail: biroses@shelby.net
www.bridgesroses.com
John’s Miniature Roses
24062 Riverside Dr. NE
St. Paul, OR 97137
Tel: 503-538-1576
www.johnsminiatureroses.com
Moore Miniature Roses
2519 E Noble Ave
Visalia, CA 93292
Tel: 559-732-0309
Nor’East Miniature Roses
Arroyo Grande, CA
Tel: 800-426-6465
www.noreast-miniroses.com
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