Miniature Roses for the Australian Garden - Growing Notes, Care and Varieties

Coming in many types and flower colours and suitable for growing in pots as well as in the garden border, miniature roses make a great addition to the rose collection.

Available from good rose nurseries miniatures of many types may be purchased online from mail order rose nurseries. They have all the characteristics of their larger relatives in a smaller package, a smaller growth habit including smaller flowers and smaller leaves.

Flowers are usually no larger than 5cm and they grow to no more than 50cm in height. Generally very hardy, and many are repeat flowering.

Picture right is the Miniature Rose 'Figurine'.

We fell in love with these tiny delights about 10 years ago, and have a collection of nearly 10 varieties, only one is sort of successful as a climber, the others are just wonderful little delights. Try to give them lots of ait movement, they do not like to be crowded out or overgrown.

Miniature roses have become very popular over the past 15 years, however hay are not new to the garden world, its just taken a while for breeders to get them onto the market. probably the first miniature rose that we can actually name is 'Rosa roulette' from Switzerland, then came 'Tom Thumb' and the rest is history.

Miniature Kaikoura is a deep red rose that flowers throughout the season an excellent choice. 'Starina' is a warm reddish apricot color with attractive dark green foliage and at less the .5m is an excellent choice for a low boarder on the rose garden or for growing in a pot or container.

Grow them Pots or in the garden.
Miniature roses grow well in pots, they are also great for garden borders. Try a large terracotta pot, they look great.

Care
Miniature roses need the same growing conditions and care as other roses, just not so much pruning. You will need some sharp secatures as the smaller growth can be a little tricky to cut. Watch out for the usual diseases, black spot, and of course thrips.

Varieties, Types and Cultivars
Tom Thumb, Baby Boomer, Child's Play, Tracey Wickham, Starina, and yes you can get climbing mini roses and trailing mini roses. 'Starina' is a warm reddish apricot color with attractive dark green foliage and at less the .5m is an excellent choice for a low boarder on the rose garden or for growing in a pot or container.

Growing Mini Roses Indoors
A bright sunny position is required, however remember that when placed close to a window pots dry out very quickly, and plants can burn. So avoid extreme heat and use a pot that is insulated and will not heat up to quickly. All roses. including the little ones prefer a cool root run.

Picture below is Miniature Rose Bernadella's Pearl