Miniature roses have a special charm for gardeners of various ages despite their petite scale and ever increasing variety of forms and colors. Since the plants of this rose are very small, they enable you to grow a wide-ranging rose garden within a small space.
Moreover, they can also be grown indoors as container plants or outdoors in the garden beds and borders. Nearly all miniature roses will bear flowers throughout the year even when grown under indoor lighting. In addition, most of them are also winter hardy when they are grown outdoors.
All things relating to a miniature rose is small - its flowers, leaves and even the length of the canes. The smallest miniature roses are known as micro-mini and they grow up to a height of about 3 inches. On the other hand, the height of the larger miniature roses varies from 10 inches to 30 inches, subject to the variety of the roses.
A number of miniature roses bear tiny, high-centered flowers that bear resemblance to those of hybrid tea roses. Some varieties of miniature roses bear decorative flowers that appear in sprays, similar to those of the small floribundas.
The first miniature roses were introduced into the market towards the beginning of the 18th century and they instantly became prized as well as curiosities of rose lovers. However, in recent times, miniature roses have been playing gradually more and more vital roles in the garden, facilitating roses to materialize in all new types of applications.
People who own small gardens find these miniature roses of great advantages to them as well as their gardens. However, these dwarf roses are also very effective as low-growing beautiful edging for large garden beds. At the same time, they are a perfect fit for a hanging basket or a window box.
Moreover, they accommodate well even in a rock garden and the climbing miniature roses are effective as ground covers. Notwithstanding their delicate appearance, the miniature roses can also be fairly hardy. Their ability to endure cold varies from one cultivar to another.
Even when miniatures are grown in places having colder climatic conditions, these unremarkable shrubs habitually survive the winter months without sustaining any damage provided they are covered with evergreen branches or concealed under an insulating blanket of snow.
These small shrubs are capable of snuggling into the immobile spot at the base of a wall so that they can avoid the dehydrating winds. This attribute of miniature roses makes them an excellent selection for growing even in the deserts in the Southwest.
Introduced - 1977
'Avandel' miniature rose produces pointed, pink hued buds that unfurl into double flowers, whose yellow hue is blended with pink and peach. The individual flower of this rose is composed of anything between 20 and 25 petals and it measures about 1 inch to 1 ½ inches in diameter.
The flowers open in a flat or cupped form. 'Avandel' rose repeats its blooms well throughout the summer and they have a potent, fruit-like fragrance. The plants are bushy and grow up to a height of 12 inches. The plants are also exceptionally winter hardy and resistant to rose diseases. The color of the foliage varies from medium to deep green.
Introduced - 1965
'Beauty Secret' This miniature rose bears red blooms and each flower is composed of about 24 to 30 petals across. The flowers of 'Beauty Secret' are heavily scented. The flowers repeat in quick succession all through the growing season.
The foliage is semi-glossy having a medium to deep green color. The foliage of this rose covers the entire bushy plant that grows up to a height of anything between 10 inches and 18 inches.
Introduced -1985
The flowers of 'Black Jade' are said to have the darkest red hue among all roses. The red color of this rose is so dark that it appears to be more or less black. The flowers of this miniature rose have a high-centered form and are velvety.
The individual flower is composed of 30 petals and measures about ¾ inch across. The stems are long and excellent for cutting. The plants have a rounded shape and grow up to a height of anything between 18 inches and 24 inches. The foliage is dark green, glossy and resistant to diseases.
Introduced - 1981
'Brass Ring' miniature rose produces pointed buds that unfurl into flat form flowers appearing in large sprays. As far as flowers are concerned, the plants are very prolific. Each flower of 'Brass Ring' is composed of 21 petals and measures about 1 inch to 1 ¼ inches across.
Initially, the flowers have a coppery orange hue, which fades to rose-pink as they mature. The leaves of this miniature rose are pointed, small and glossy. The plants have an upright habit with arching stems and grow up to a height of 18 inches.
Introduced - 1981
This miniature rose was initially introduced for raising funds for the American Rose Center - headquarters of the American Rose Society. The double flowers of 'Center Gold' have a high-centered form and a deep yellow hue. Each flower of this rose is composed of as many as 60 petals and measures 1 inch across.
The flowers have a spicy fragrance. Infrequently, this rose bears white flowers. The flowers appear singly - one bloom on a single stem, or in large sprays. The plants grow up to a height of anything between 14 inches and 18 inches, while the leaves are glossy and textured.
Introduced - 1985
The blooms of 'Centerpiece' are velvety and have a high-centered form. Each flower of this miniature rose is composed of 35 petals and measures about 1 inch to 1 ¼ inches in diameter. The flowers are slightly fragrant and have excellent substance, which makes them last for a long time both in the garden as well as cut flowers.
The color of the flowers varies from deep red to medium red. The dark green, small and semi-glossy leaves of this rose are resistant to diseases. The plants grow up to a height of anything between 12 inches and 16 inches.
Introduced - 1953
'Cinderella' is considered to be a truly miniature rose. The plants of this rose are very low growing and fit well into the crevices of any rock garden. At the same time, they are ideal for growing in a window box or hanging basket. The flowers of 'Cinderella' are full and double and officially they are described as white.
However, they in face have a rosy blush when they unfurl and the color becomes paler as the flowers mature. Similar to other well-liked ever-bloomer classes, the miniature roses also habitually are bit fragrant. However, 'Cinderella' is considered to be an exception because the blooms of this rose is robust and have a spicy scent.
Owners of large gardens should not be put off by the very small stature of this rose from growing 'Cinderella' in their gardens. Often this miniature rose is used in the form of an edging or planted in the front of a flower border. In fact, this miniature rose does not have any problem holding its own.
Introduced - 1978
'Cuddles' rose produces oval shaped buds that unfurl into very double, deep coral-pink hued flowers, each composed of anything between 55 and 60 petals. The flowers have a high-centered form and each measuring about 1 inch to 1 ½ inches in diameter.
The flowers of this miniature rose are somewhat fragrant. The excellent substance of the blooms makes them last for a long time. The plants are compact and grow up to a height of 14 inches to 16 inches.
Introduced - 1981
This miniature rose gets its name from the fact that its double bloom has a pure pink hue similar to that of the icing on a cupcake. The flowers of 'Cupcake' are high-centered, fragrant and each measuring about 1 ½ inches across. The individual flower is composed of as many as 45 to 50 petals.
The plants of this rose grow up to a height of 12 inches to 18 inches and are compact, neat with a rounded shape. The glossy foliage of 'Cupcake' rose is abundant and the plants are a good choice for growing in containers.
Introduced - 1988
This is among the first three miniature roses that went on to win an MRS award and, hence, it has been aptly named 'Debut'. The other two miniature roses that also won the award are 'Pride 'n' Joy' and 'New Beginning'. Debut rose produces pointed buds that unfurl into high-centered blooms.
This rose bears copious flowers on spreading plants that grow up to a height of anything between 12 inches and 18 inches. The individual flowers measure about 1 inch to 2 inches in diameter and are composed of 15 to 22 petals whose color varies from ivory to light yellow. The petals have a broad red edging. The foliage of the plants are dark green and disease resistant.