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Miniature Roses
Mary Beth Enggren
“Miniature” Does Not Mean “Delicate”
Many novice gardeners forego the color and beauty of miniature roses fearing that the tiny bloomers will require high maintenance. These roses are quite hardy and able to survive the winter in all but the coldest zones. Drought-resistant and disease-resistant varieties provide a profusion of blooms from spring through early fall.
Planting and Care Instructions
Miniature roses require four main ingredients – sunlight, water, fertile soil, and air circulation. Choose a location that receives four to six hours of sunlight each day. During mild weather, the roses require two to three inches of water per week. During hot weather, the roses require daily watering. Proper soil preparation ensures that the roses retain the moisture they crave. The flower’s new home should be the same depth as its original container and about one foot wider than the container. Add a mixture of equal parts of soil, perlite, and peat moss to the bottom of the hole. Spread the roots evenly across the hole. Fill the hole with the remaining soil mixture. Fertilize the new rose bush with organic fertilizer such as blood meal or nonorganic fertilizer. Gardeners utilizing nonorganic fertilizer should dilute the mixture by half. Finally, despite their small size, these roses require room. Air circulation enables the plant to breathe and bloom.
Types of Tiny Roses
Climber miniatures can grow vertically over a trellis or around a tree. These roses add a pop of color to a lonely mailbox or a porch railing. Trailer miniatures enliven hanging baskets and cascade down retaining walls. Micro-mini roses are potent little bloomers, reaching a mature height of only six to twelve inches.
These roses bloom in a variety of colors from vivid red to pale lavender, from hot orange to delicate pink or white. These low-maintenance plants are perfect for every garden no matter the size and every gardener no matter the skill level.
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