Miniature roses have taken the country by storm! True miracles of nature, these tiny roses have become big business for rose growers.
One nursery alone—anticipating demands—propagated over two hundred thousand of the small bushes.
Called the jewels of the rose world, the miniatures are exquisitely formed replicas of the hybrid tea rose, but on an almost incredibly small scale.
Long buds no longer than a grain of wheat, or round ones smaller than a pea, are perfect in every detail.
As many as seventy little petals may be counted in a double miniature rose. These blossoms measure only ¾” to 1 ½” inches across.
The bushes, too, are small, measuring from 6” to 12” inches in height, depending on the variety, with little leaves, stems, and even thorns—all in perfect scale.
Why interest has been focused on such small-scale objects, dainty and gemlike in quality, is difficult to decide.
Care For Minature Roses
Perhaps it may be the natural revolt from over-emphasis on the supercolossal that such delight is found in the other extreme in size.
Another factor might be that modern living in more compact quarters demands a reduced scale, whether in hobbies or flowers. Then there is the disarming appeal of all things small and delicate.
Miniature roses, though finely wrought, are rugged and bear a generous number of flowers. Furthermore, they are hardy and will last for years, given care.
The little roses may be grown outdoors in rock gardens or as an edge for small pools or walks.
Where To Plant Them
They are especially good as edging for borders of larger roses, but for this use, they must be carefully placed.
The small bushes should be set far enough forward so as not to be shaded and overhung.
They should not be close enough to the larger roses to be robbed of moisture and nutrients.
As many as ten or twelve miniature roses may be grown in the openings of a strawberry jar.
Use Of Miniature Roses
One of the most charming ways to use miniature roses is to plant them in formal beds in a true miniature garden designed and proportioned to suit their stature.
I have seen gardens in flower shows, surrounded three and four rows deep with admirers, almost stealing the show from larger exhibits.
During a recent Red Rose Rent Day celebration, I wondered why so many men were gathered in one area of the rose nursery and discovered.
They were hovering over a miniature rose display, vying with each other for photographs of the miniature rose garden.
One busy editor was struggling to find the right angle and the best light for a shot of the strawberry jar full of miniatures.
First Miniature Rose I Saw
In this setting, with miles of beautiful roses, the miniatures were holding their own.
I shall never forget the first miniature rose I ever saw.
It was Pixie, called “the tiniest fully double white rose in the world,” blooming on a sunny window sill.
I stood amazed— as do flower show crowds—at the minute size, yet a perfect rose replica down to the last thorn.
Successful Flowering Indoors
Of course, I, too, wanted to grow these roses indoors. I was assured that I could with specially prepared stock.
The bushes were rested in fall, then dug and shipped in January after several months of cold weather outdoors.
In those days, the technique for successful flowering indoors was more difficult. However, after some eight weeks, my plants flowered and continued to bloom until time to set them outdoors.
Miniatures are now grown like indoor orchids. A bright location where they will have at least three hours of sunlight daily is necessary for success.
Fertilization Of Roses
The pots are set on pebbles in a tray with the water level constantly kept just below their bases. This will supply the humidity needed.
Plants are watered as usual from the top. Ample water should be given, but the soil should not become soggy.
Roses are fertilized during the growing season of roses but not at planting.
True Miniature Arrangements
Another fascinating use of miniature roses is as cut flowers for true miniature arrangements.
The smallest size sample perfume bottle will hold several. Special containers, suitably proportioned, have also been designed for them.
Any arrangement of these roses will attract attention and excite wonder and admiration.
After growing my first miniature roses, I became eager to learn about their origins.
While many of our flowers are as old as history itself, the true miniature rose is “something new under the sun.”
No mention can be found of it in any of the old rose books or rose catalogs. However, the reason has come to light recently.
Story Of Little Roses
The story of the little roses dates to the days of sailing ships when sea captains set out from England on long and lonely journeys to distant lands.
They often carried plants—perhaps to relieve the monotony of months at sea or perhaps simply because they enjoyed them.
Early in the 19th century, miniature roses were mentioned in England. Those plants were thought to be a form of Rosa chinensis minima found in the Far East.
Along with cargoes of silks and spices, they were carried home from China or Japan by the captain of an English clipper.
Dwarfed Rose
The dwarfed rose was known in England as Rosa pasilla and the “Fairy Rose.”
It was later renamed Rosa Lawrenceana in honor of Miss Mary Lawrance, a charming and popular artist famous for rose paintings and a frequent exhibitor at the Royal Academy.
In the Botanical Magazine of 1815, where the first drawings of this rose appeared, it was called Rosa semperflorens minima, Miss Lawrance’s Rose.
Two additional Lawrenceana varieties were also mentioned: one credited to Redoute in 1821 and the other, R. Lawranceana alba, to Mauget in 1827. Then for some unknown reason, the little roses disappeared.
Nearly a century later, a miniature rose was found again; this one was growing on the window sill of a Swiss cottage high in the Alps.
Versions Of Stories About Miniature Roses
There are several versions of this story. One account has it that only one plant was found and that one had been in the same family for over 150 years.
Another more dramatic version claims that before the plant could be propagated, both the cottage and the rose were destroyed by a landslide or a fire.
Rouletti Rose
However, another plant had been found in another cottage in Switzerland. Both stories agree that the rose was finally propagated by Henri Correvon, a Swiss nurseryman and rock plant expert.
It was named Rouletti in honor of his friend Colonel Roulette, who is credited with the discovery.
This find may have been one of the Lawrenceana varieties whose name was not known or had been forgotten by the Swiss mountaineers who had been growing it—perhaps for generations.
A sport of Rouletti, called Oakington Ruby, was brought out in 1933 by C. R. Bloom of Oakington, Cambridge, England.
True Miniature Roses
The first true miniature rose to be introduced as a new variety from seed was Tom Thumb, a self-seedling of Rouletti.
In this country, miniatures were introduced through the interest of a prominent rosarian and nurseryman, Robert Pyle, late president of The Conard Pyle Company.
While traveling in Europe in 1933, Mr. Pyle saw hybrid seedlings of Rouletti growing in the nursery of Jan deVink of Boskoop, Holland; the following year, the first red miniature rose, Tom Thumb, was imported and introduced.
Other introductions followed. Pixie and Midget, both seedlings of Ellen Poulsen x Tom Thumb, were developed by the Holland breeder.
Fairy Roses
Since that time, several fairy roses with fairy-tale names have been introduced.
- I am especially fond of Sweet Fairy for its generous bloom, deep pink buds, and apple-blossom pink flowers. Its flowers last well and are sweetly fragrant.
- Red Imp is unfading, a deep, rich crimson with perfectly formed double flowers with as many as sixty tiny petals.
- Baby Gold Star, discovered by Mr. Pyle in the nursery of Pedro Dot of Barcelona, Spain, while perhaps not so rugged as others, has slightly larger flowers of rich golden yellow. It is the only true yellow miniature and one of the most popular.
- Bopeep, arbutus pink, beflounced and frilled, caused much excitement when introduced in 1950. The name was selected from over seven thousand submitted by flower show visitors.
- Midget, while perfect in every detail, has buds no larger than a grain of wheat and flowers only ¾” inch across. Bright pink buds open into deep rose blooms.
- Rouletti is bright pink, vigorous, and long-lasting.
- Cinderella is white with a velvety finish and, at times, a faint pink flush.
- Tinker Bell, a well-formed, many-petaled double, is bright pink.
Robin Rose
One of the latest additions to the list of worthwhile miniature roses is Robin, blithe and pert as the bird of that name.
Also Spanish in origin, this newcomer is double with as many as seventy-three little rich, deep red petals.
Tiny urn-shaped buds open into flat blooms no larger than a woman’s thumbnail, the rolled and curled petals giving a quilted look. These plants grow to 12” inches and have good green foliage with a leathery finish.
Other Good Varieties
Among other good varieties are the following:
- The new Dwarf king, deep red
- Twinkles, white with a slight fragrance
- Baby Masquerade, cerise, yellow, and red, similar in coloring and appearance— except for size—to the floribunda rose Masquerade.
Requirements For Success Growth
Here are some of the requirements necessary for success in growing miniature roses outdoors.
Select a well-drained site with several hours of sunlight each day and some protection from wind and weather.
Provide good rich loamy soil with ample humus. Use no manure or fertilizer near the roots for fear of burning.
Prepare the soil thoroughly to make it fine before planting; fill it around the roots and tamp it firmly.
Water generously at planting and during any dry weather. Cultivation should be light and frequent to destroy all weeds.
These roses are pruned within an inch of the ground in spring. Then, cut them again to the same height before bringing them into the house to flower.
Those left in the ground should be mounded over with soil for winter. Then, outdoor miniatures are fertilized and sprayed the same as larger roses.
44659 by Mary C. Seckman