Growing Miniature Roses

Miniature roses love to grow in containers, but they also  fit nicely into places in the garden that are not large enough for the “big” roses.

Since Miniatures are usually grown on their 0wn roots, you don’t have to worry about suckers, or tender rootstocks such as those used for some of the large roses.    Mini’s are cold hardy and typically will survive the coldest west coast winters.   In a particularly cold winter they may freeze to the ground level, but they will sprout up again from their own roots.  Miniature roses provide an array of different colours and sizes.  Virtually any colour is available except “blue” and “black”, and their sizes range from ground covers to vigorous climbers which can easily reach six feet and some even higher.  Miniature roses are inexpensive when compared to larger roses, and they are reasonably disease resistant.    Miniature roses are usually the first to bloom in spring and the last one still blooming in fall.  And, many provide a continuous show of bloom for the entire season.   These little gems of the rose world range from the charm of single flowers to the perfect exhibition hybrid tea shaped bloom.  Mini’s have it all!!

Just as with the large roses, miniatures grow best in full sun, or at least half-day sun, with plenty of air movement to lessen the development of diseases.  They need moist, well–drained soil conditions and prefer a fairly rich soil that will keep them growing steadily.  A slightly acid pH of 6-6.5 is ideal.