Roses for Smaller Gardens

Miniature roses do well in pots on a patio or as many apartment dwellers know, miniature roses happily thrive on sunny fire escapes and Manhattan’s skyscraping rooftops. Rosarian and author Rayford Reddell, in his charming book ‚”Miniature Roses” refers to minis as ‚”irresistibly-hell-bent-for-survival.”

The first documented miniature roses were found in China in the 19th century and arrived shortly after in Europe. The first miniature rose to arrive in the United States was introduced by American Rosarian Robert Pyle of Pennsylvania in 1936. He named the little red flower with the white eye,’Tom Thumb’. Today miniature roses are so adored that they outnumber those of full size roses.

Choosing a Miniature Rose

The American Rose Society rates miniatures on a scale of 1.0 to 10.0. They recommend you consider buying miniature roses with a 7.0 rating or higher. They are best purchased bareroot in the winter when there is a large variety available.

Planting a Miniature Rose

When planting minis choose a location with at least five hours of sun per day. If you must choose between morning and afternoon sun, morning sun is preferable with shade in the afternoon. Plant miniature roses away from wind or large bushes and trees. Good drainage and good loose garden soil is a prerequisite. If planting in containers, wood or clay is preferred since they keep roots warmer in cold weather and cooler in summer. A 6 inch pot is a good size for new minis. They can be transplanted later to a larger pot if necessary.

Some Rosarians recommend adding a tablespoon of Epsom salt, 1/4 cup alfalfa meal and a handful of peat moss to each pot when planting. Container plants will need more watering and fertilizing than roses in the ground. Besides frequent deep watering, minis also love being fed. If you’d like continuous blossoms for the summer months, it is recommended to serve a well-balanced organic liquid fertilizer or side-dress with a handful of compost twice a month.

Miniature Rose Problems

Miniature roses are less prone to fungal diseases that commonly affect large rosebushes such as rust, powdery mildew and Blackspot. It is rare but if an infestation should occur to a mini, it can usually be cured with organic products from your local nursery. Insect wise, spider mites are attracted to a miniature rose’s low growing foliage but can easily be sprayed off with water in the heat of summer.

Harvesting

When harvesting blossoms, always cut blooms in the late afternoon or evening since this is when blooms are filled with the most moisture. Once you’ve chosen an outward facing five-leaflet set, make a downward sloping cut 1/4 inch above a swelling bud. Place cut roses in hot water with a few drops of household bleach and a teaspoon of sugar for a longer lasting vase life.

Pruning

Miniature roses can be pruned annually in winter at the same time as full size roses. The great thing about pruning minis is that you don’t have to be as precise as you would be with full size rosebushes. They can be sheared with garden shears instead of hand pruners. Britain’s Royal National Rose Society has been experimenting with this unconventional technique for years with great results. The miniature roses come back each spring happy, healthy and prolific. They truly are ‚”irresistibly-hell-bent-for-survival.”