How to grow Miniature Roses - Great Roses for containers.

Miniature roses are simply roses that have been bred to have a smaller growth habit, smaller flowers and foliage.

Miniature Rose - Red Flower — Miniature Rose – Red Flower

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

The plants themselves are long lived like most rose types and the flowers also last just as long as those of their larger relatives.

So all the characteristics of their larger relatives in a smaller package, and readily available from specialist rose nurseries.

In terms of size, thw flowers are usually no larger than 2 inches (5cm) across and they grow to around 20 inches (50cm) in height. Generally very hardy, and many are repeat flowering.

How To Grow Miniature roses – Basic Care

Miniature Rose 'Figurine'. — Miniature Rose ‘Figurine’.

You Can Grow Miniature Roses in Pots or in the garden.

Miniature roses are some of the best roses to grow well in pots, thay have a smaller root system, require smaller (and lighter) pots and are easy to move around according to the season. So great for patios, balconies and smaller areas.

You can even bring them indoors fro a day or two at a time when in flower.

They are also equally at home in the garden, so great for fpr smaller spaces in the garden border. Try a large terracotta pot, they look great.

Growing Conditions and General Care

Miniature roses need the same growing conditions and care as other roses, just not so much pruning. You will need some sharp secateurs, or even better some snips, as the smaller growth can be a little tricky to cut.

The best time to plant Miniature Roses is in spring in colder zones, or late winter in warmer zones.
A position in full sun to little light afternoon shade in warmer zones works well.
In containers use a specialist rose potting mix. Avoid lightweight potting mix if possible as this tends to break down more quickly so repotting will more frequent.
In the garden, dig in good amponts of compost and some aged cow manure before planting.
When first planted water well twice each week until established, or through the first summer. More frequent watering will be required in very hot climate zones and in containers.
Never let the soil become wet and soggy, good drainage is essential. Fertilise each spring using a good organic slow release fertiler or a specialist rose fertiliser.
Mulch around you Miniature rose to mainatin a cool moist root run.

TOP TIPS

Miniature Rose Bernadella's Pearl — Miniature Rose Bernadella’s Pearl

Miniature roses will last many years in the garden and in containers. In container you will need to repot every 3 -5 years. Water more frequently and fertilise more often.
If buds are not opening provide more sun.
Remove (deadhead) spent flowers to encourage more blooms.
Watch out for the usual diseases, black spot, and of course thrips.

Miniature Rose Varieties

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 air movement, they do not like to be crowded out or overgrown.

Miniature roses have become very popular over the past 15 years, however they 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.

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.

Pruning Miniature Roses

These roses require very little pruning. Start by removing any dead growth. After that try to remove some of the very twiggy growth each year.

Over time if the plant is getting old and needs rejuvenation, then you may need to prune it back hard. We would do this in stages, one major stem at a time. Harder pruning encourages new young stems to grow from the base. This is the normal renewal practice for most roses.

It is often better to use garden snips rather than pruners or secateurs as snips suit the finer nature of the stems when deadheading or pruning.