Botanical Name |
Rosa spp. |
Common Name |
Rose, miniature rose |
Plant Type |
Deciduous flowering shrub |
Mature Size |
6 inches to 54 inches tall; ramblers can grow up to 6 feet |
Sun Exposure |
Full sun |
Soil Type |
Loamy |
Soil pH |
6.0 to 7.0 |
Bloom Time |
Summer |
Flower Color |
Pink, red, yellow, white |
Hardiness Zones |
5 to 9 (USDA) |
Native Area |
None; miniature roses are a cultivated creation with no native range |
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Plant and treat miniature roses the same way you would full-size roses. Dig a hole the same depth as the pot the rose came in and about a foot wider. Carefully remove the rose from the pot and gently loosen the roots. If the plant is tightly root bound, use a sharp knife to score the sides of the root ball and try again to loosen the roots.
Add some organic matter to the soil to the hole, if your soil needs it. Place the rose bush in the center of the hole, with the roots spread out. Fill in the hole and gently firm down the soil. Thoroughly water the newly planted bush and then apply a layer of mulch.
Most minis are not budded or grafted, so gardeners in colder climates don’t need to worry about covering or mulching the graft. Gardeners in warmer climates won’t need to be concerned about suckers from the rootstock.
Light
Miniature roses thrive in full sun. Foliage and flowers will become sparse in shady conditions.
Soil
Roses like a rich, well-drained, loamy soil.
Water
How much water your rose bush will require depends on your soil and weather. A general rule of thumb is to provide at least 1 inch of water each week. During hot, dry spells you will need to water more frequently. Be sure to water deeply, so that the soil is wet at least 12 to 18 inches below the surface.
Avoid getting the leaves wet during humid weather to discourage fungal diseases.
Temperature and Humidity
Although mini roses do quite well in containers and you often see them sold as houseplants, many gardeners are disappointed by their performance indoors. Like roses, they need full sun and medium humidity.
These are easy enough to provide in summer, but humidity drops considerably when the heat comes on indoors and roses will quickly become desiccated. Mini roses given as gifts will do best if transplanted outdoors.
Fertilizer
Roses can be heavy feeders and since mini roses continue blooming all season, regular fertilizing is essential. Use any commercial rose food or general-purpose fertilizer, according to label instructions. To keep your plant healthy:
- Feed when the bush first leafs-out.
- Feed after each heavy flush of bloom.
- Stop feeding about 6 to 8 weeks before the first expected frost t
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