The number of mini
and miniflora suppliers has continued to decline and is at an all time
low. I have been ordering
and growing minis since the early 1980’s.
I can remember receiving the catalogues for the mini roses and
spending hours during the winter months reading up on the many
varieties. While I am
thankful for the great varieties that I do have, it is sad to think of
the limited number of suppliers for new minis and minifloras. There
are, however, still a few great hybridizers of the mini and miniflora
roses but this number is also dwindling. I consider this past year a
bumper crop when referring to the new miniature and miniflora varieties.
I tried over 20 new varieties this past year and am very excited
about several of them. MINIATURES
Aydan Renee
was hybridized by Whit Wells. After
two growing seasons, I still like this rose and the unique coloring of
the deep pink with a hint of yellow bloom. Becka Anne was new this year from Whit
Wells and is a true mini with a peachy/salmon bloom. Joy was in its second growing season
and is quickly becoming my favorite mini.
This rose has it all. Hybridizer David Clemons named it after his
mother and describes the bloom as fuchsia to light pink with a white
reverse. It has excellent
form that lasts for days. I
added more last year and am adding even more again this year. Magic Show was hybridized by Frank
Benardella and is a true mini bloom that is white with red/pink edge.
The bloom is pretty but time will tell if it has enough petals to
hold its form. Memphis Bell has large velvety red and
white blooms. This Whit
Wells variety is vigorous but the bloom may be too big for a mini. Peter Alonso from Jim Sproul was a new
variety for me. It has
lacked vigor so far, but I will keep it for now because it is said to
resemble Fairhope. Renegade is a beautiful red/white exhibition
bloom that did well in the heat. Looks
like another great rose from hybridizer Robbie Tucker. The Streak is a novelty rose from Whit
Wells that is yellow with pink/red stripes.
This is an eye-catching variety. MINIFLORAS All American Girl
from Whit Wells was in its second year.
I love this beautiful pink rose, which is a lighter pink in hot
weather. Baldo Villegas is a beautiful red and white
blend from Whit Wells. After two seasons I still love this great rose
and therefore added two more this past year.
Give the plant room, as it tends to sprawl a little. Cooper was new variety for me from
Michael Williams. It has
beautiful deep red blooms on a nice vigorous bush.
I plan to add more this year. Daddy Frank was another new bush for me from
Robbie Tucker. I love the
deep red color. Daddy kept
its deep red color even in the intense heat.
I like it better than Miss Flippens. Double Take was hybridized by Frank
Benardella and was new for me. It
looks to be a great rose with red/white bicolor bloom.
Not sure about petal count in the heat but bloom was pretty even
when fully open. Eternity is a new variety for me from
Vern Rickard that has exquisite pink blooms.
The bush is a good grower. I
will have to continue to evaluate its form. First and Foremost
was hybridized by Frank Benardella.
First year plant for me has beautiful deep pink blooms with
exhibition form on strong canes. Flawless was new for me.
This Frank Benardella variety has large floribunda-size light
pink blooms. Good bush with
strong stems. Good Ole Mountain Dew
from Whit Wells was new for me last year.
The bush is vigorous but I am undecided about the bloom.
Will keep another year. High Ambition was in its second year in our
garden. Our bush is weak and
the bloom can look washed out in the heat. Hurricane from Robbie Tucker was new last year.
My two plants are anemic. They
did look better by the fall. Jupiter was hybridized by Dennis
Bridges. It is a very
vigorous bush but almost never has good blooms.
Bushes will “disappear” from our garden this spring. King of the Road
was another new variety from Whit Wells.
The bush grew well, however I did not see any good blooms in the
intense heat. But this was
the hottest summer that I can remember. Lo & Behold from Vern Rickard was
new. It has beautiful yellow
blooms on strong canes and a vigorous bush. Nashville Music was a new variety from Whit
Wells. The blooms have a
great golden color. Power Point from Frank Benardella was
new. This rose has great
form and beautiful red color on a vigorous bush. Powerhouse is another new variety from Frank
Benardella. The vivid bright
orange-colored blooms will knock your socks off.
Bush grew well too. Shameless was hybridized by Whit Wells.
This is a great rose with beautiful red/white bicolor.
Adding more bushes this year. Shawn Sease – I ordered this rose
last spring but ended up with an extra Lo & Behold.
I got one last fall and looking forward to it this year.
David Clemons said that it was one of Michael Williams’ best
exhibition varieties with excellent color and form.
Receiving high ratings so I am looking forward to it. Shirley Raye was new this year from Fred
Wright. It is a large and
attractive orange/yellow combo with good exhibition form.
I love this rose and am adding more. Show Stopper is an apricot blend from Frank
Benardella that was washed out in the heat.
Not sure about petal count so will keep another year. Sunglow from Whit Wells has been around a few
years but is an absolutely gorgeous, exquisite yellow single.
Definitely the best single with a very appropriate name. Tabasco Cat was new from David
Clemons. It is a beautiful,
sizzling hot orange to orange red with good form.
Adding another one this year. Unbridled is a beautiful cream with pink/coral
edge and good exhibition form from David Clemons.
Bush on fortuniana rootstock is vigorous.
Make sure that you do not over fertilize.
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