Water Wise Plants

ROE-sah chin-EN-sis mew-TAB-ill-iss

Butterfly Rose

Shrub

8 ft. to 10 ft. tall and wide

Low: water every three weeks until the root ball is wet

Full to half sun

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 a low water/no fertilizer regime. This rose prefers 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 the garden.

PADG Notes: This rose is pruned 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.