Among the most charming and delightful of plants, miniature

roses come in the same multitude of colors and varieties as

their full size cousins. They're perfect for container gardens,

but do just as well planted in the ground. Their small buds and

blooms are beautiful in corsages and arrangements, tucked into

a small vase on a tray or picked and carefully dried in

potpourri.

While small in size, most miniatures are highly scented, and

just a few small bushes can perfume the air in the entire

garden. That, and the ease of growing the hardy little

perennials has made them increasingly popular with home

gardeners. Their versatility makes them as at home tumbling

over a trellis to create a romantic, rose covered gazebo as

they are in a neatly trained border along the side of a

driveway.

Miniature roses are, by definition, compact bushes with

abundant blooms. A single miniature rose bush can have hundreds

of flowers. There are a number of different varieties of

miniatures, separated by size and growing behavior.

Micro-minis are particularly delightful, maturing at between 6

and 12 inches of height, with blooms as small as 1/4 inch

across. They grow wonderfully in small pots, and are the

perfect plant to lend a touch of romance to a sunny city

balcony.

Climbing miniature roses, like Rainbow's Edge with showy orange

and yellow flowers or the Red Cascade with its open, velvety red

petals, can quickly cover an open frame or gazebo to create a

rose covered trellis in one growing season.

Upright miniature roses, or standards, are tree roses that grow

from 12-18 inches tall. A rose tree in full bloom is a

delightful centerpiece accent in a low growing garden, or

standing on its own in a container.

There are a number of miniature roses that trail, sending out

runners with new growth and flowers. These make wonderful

choices in a hanging basket, with drifts of flowers to cascade

over the sides in a beautiful display of color. Best choices

for hanging baskets include the aptly named Red Cascade and the

ruffled pink Nostalgia.

Miniature roses are hardy bloomers that winter well even as far

north as zone 4. They grow quickly, require little care outside

of watering, and will reward you with dozens of blooms for very

little effort.