The term “small roses” refers to several distinct horticultural classifications of the genus Rosa. While one specific class is the most common answer, various rose types possess naturally petite growth habits or small flowers. These smaller varieties are the result of centuries of natural mutation and targeted hybridization, making them ideal for container gardening and compact landscapes. Understanding the difference requires looking at the plant’s overall size, not just the bloom.
Miniature Roses
Miniature Roses represent a perfectly scaled-down version of their larger relatives. A defining characteristic of this class is that all plant parts—flowers, leaves, stems, and thorns—are in proportion to the overall size of the bush. Plants are diminutive, typically ranging from 15 to 30 inches in height, though micro-miniature varieties can be as short as six inches.
These bushes produce flowers generally measuring less than two inches across. Miniature roses trace their heritage back to the early 19th century, descending from the small, repeat-blooming Chinese species Rosa chinensis. Early European cultivation led to the formal classification of Rosa chinensis minima, which set the stage for modern hybridizing programs.
Other Small-Flowered Varieties
Several rose types are often mistaken for Miniature Roses because they feature small blooms, despite having different growth habits. Polyantha Roses are one such class, historically significant as a parent of the popular Floribunda class. These roses produce massive clusters of small flowers, often about one inch in diameter, creating a dense, colorful display.
The Polyantha plant is sturdy and bushy but can grow larger than a Miniature Rose, sometimes reaching three to four feet in height. The term Patio Rose is often used commercially to describe small roses suitable for container growing. Patio Roses are not a formal classification but usually encompass Miniature, Mini-Flora, and smaller Polyantha types.
The Mini-Flora class represents a distinct, officially recognized group that bridges the size gap between Miniatures and Floribunda roses. Mini-Floras have blooms and foliage larger than a Miniature but smaller than a Floribunda, with flowers sometimes reaching three inches in diameter. The overall bush size for a Mini-Flora is also larger, often growing into a small shrub of two to three feet tall.
Understanding Rose Size Classification
Horticultural societies, such as the American Rose Society, establish formal classification systems to categorize rose varieties based on their genetic origin and physical characteristics. This system divides roses into groups, including Modern Roses, which contains most of the common small varieties grown today. The specific class—Miniature, Mini-Flora, or Floribunda—is defined by a combination of mature plant height and bloom size.
The establishment of the Mini-Flora class by the American Rose Society in 1999 illustrates the importance of these distinctions. This class recognizes roses too large to be a Miniature but too small to be a Floribunda. Hybridizers continually work to create new varieties, and formal size boundaries ensure a rose is classified correctly based on the proportionality of its leaves, stems, and flowers.