Marvelous Minis and Perfect Polyanthas

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Robert J. Dolezal

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Miniature roses are perfect container plants for small-space gardens, decks and patios. Choose from standards – those grafted to treelike shapes – and traditional shrub forms.

If you don’t have a lot of space but you just love roses, then think small! You’ve got lots to choose from, thanks to miniatures, mini-floras and polyanthas. These little beauties grow anywhere from just 6 inches tall to nearly 3 feet, and no matter which you choose, they’ll work perfectly in your containers or other small garden spaces.

True miniatures are the oldest of the three forms of small roses, dating from the early 1800s. Polyanthas are only slightly more recent. They first appeared in the 19th century as a cross-hybrid dwarf of Rosa multiflora and the new China roses. The mini-flora class was established in 1999 by the American Rose Society to classify the largest hybrids of miniature roses.

Besides having tiny flowers and being on the smaller side in general, roses classified as “miniature” also must bear well-formed buds and have compact form with dense foliage of equally small stature, as well as be vigorous growers, repeat bloomers and cold-tolerant.

An enthusiastic public ensures that growers and hybridizers create a steady stream of new and attractive varieties of these roses. And in fact, many of the popular miniatures are recent hybrids.

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Two types of miniatures are common: true miniatures and polyantha roses. While the blooms are smaller, they’re still beautiful!

In contrast, most of the polyanthas are classics and heritage varieties. The prominence of the miniatures and mini-floras and the success of the hybrid teas and floribundas have combined to eclipse this group of tough, diminutive, beautiful roses. (Fortunately, polyanthas have survived due to the efforts of their dedicated proponents.)

Most miniatures and polyanthas bear profuse, repeat flushes of small blooms, -2 inches wide. Both include varieties that produce individual blooms (also called buttonhole roses) and floribunda-like sprays of multiple blossoms.

In the landscape, miniatures and polyanthas are good choices for foreground plantings, border edgings, and as low, massed-color plantings. No matter where you plant them, however, they must get enough sunlight: at least 4 hours per day is necessary for best flower production. Indoors, place plants near a window with a southern exposure and full sunlight for 6 hours per day, or supplement with artificial light. Also supply ample water and frequent fertilization.

While miniature and polyantha roses may be small in size, they lack nothing in beauty! Whether you’ve got a few containers, a sunny garden corner or the front of a border, they’ll light up your garden in a rosy way!

Facts

You can find miniatures and polyanthas in compact, shrub and tree forms – perfect for containers, edgings and foreground plantings.
Container-grown roses need annual repotting to keep them healthy and get the most blooms. Root-bound plants will become stunted and produce limited foliage and flowers. To prevent this, prune the roots when repotting.

Tips

If you move your containers inside, they’ll still need at least 4-6 hours of bright sunlight to produce those gorgeous blooms. If direct sun isn’t an option inside your home, install full-spectrum fluorescent lights to help your roses grow.
If you don’t have room for a traditional rose garden, consider grouping together containers of miniatures and polyanthas to brighten patios and sunrooms.

Faqs

Q: Are these roses more cold-hardy than the other types?
A: Miniature roses are generally hardy, but polyanthas are especially tolerant of cold temperatures. (In fact, they’ve regained some of their former popularity after falling out of favor for a bit.) Some varieties will survive nicely under blanketing snow, while others will require some cold protection.

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