Butterfly Rose

Mon, 08/10/2009 - 2:45pm — Kathy Ormiston
rosa_mutalbilis.jpg
Photo Credit: 
Vera Kark, PADG
Botanical Name: 
Rosa x odorata 'Mutabilis'
Pronunciation: 
(ROE-sah ex o-DOR-ah-tah mew-TAB-ill-iss)
Common Name: 
Butterfly Rose
Plant Type: 
Shrub
Mature Size: 
8 ft. to 10 ft. tall and wide
Water Requirements: 
Low: water every 3 weeks until the root ball is wet
Sun/Shade Requirements: 
Full to half sun
Flower Color : 
Changes from orange to pink to maroon
Wildlife: 
Attracts beneficial insects including bees

While most hybrid tea roses like regular water and fertilizer, there are many antique roses that withstand tough conditions. Rosa x ordorata 'Mutabilis' is very successful under our low water/no fertilizer regime. This rose likes full sun, but will grow and bloom in part shade.

Rosa 'Mutabilis' grows into a large shrub with delicate blossoms that open orange then turn pink and finally maroon as it ages. The bronzy colored new foliage is also attractive. Blooming all summer, it is a focal point in our garden.

We pruned this rose back to about four feet in February, selectively cutting smaller branches back to a main stem. This helps keep the plant a manageable size and encourages lots of blooms over the summer.