Miniature rosa

Also know as the Pygmy rose or China rose, Miniature Rosa (pronounced RO-za) is the name given to miniature roses and they are a scaled-down version of one of the most instantly recognisable flowers in the world.
It can be either grown indoors or in the garden and first became popular in the 1800s.

Description
They have been bred specifically to be smaller in size but to maintain the same characteristics as a full-size rose and so are more compact in appearance. The flowers themselves can be up to two inches in diameter and the stems are thorny.

Habitat
Roses are perennial shrubs that have been native plants of Asia for many thousands of years. In their natural habitat, Miniature Rosa has adapted to their environment and takes on many forms. Some have learnt to ‘climb’ or trail, while others have exceptionally sharp prickles on their stems to protect their blooms.

Availability
Miniature Rosa are widely available in a multitude of types, colours and specialties, including varieties which are thorn-free and edible. They bloom from spring right through to the start of autumn.

Species
Rosa is the botanical name for rose and Miniature Rosa belongs to the Rosaceae family, which has over 2,800 species in total in 95 genera. It is unclear exactly how many different varieties of Miniature Rosa exist.

Care Tips
Miniature Rosa enjoys the sun and can be placed outside during the warmer months. It should be kept moist but not over-watered and fed regularly with a good-quality plant food during this time. Pruning right back when flowering has stopped will encourage new growth, after which it should be kept in a cool place for around two months and then gradually acclimatised back into the warmth before winter sets in. Watering should also be reduced during this ‘resting’ period.

Did You Know?

Some miniature rose species are edible (petals, leaves and stem) and have their ‘peak season’ during the summer.
Most miniature rose species are actually much hardier and more weather-tolerant than full-size roses.

References
http://apps.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch
http://gardening.about.com/od/rose1/a/MiniRose.htm