How far apart should I plant Rosa Chinensis Mutabilis?

14 years ago

I love this rose - I had one in the last place I lived and it was so carefree, with constant blooms. I never had to do anything to it and it handled itself just fine without my help, even in the shade! I decided I want to plant two of them as a foundation planting in front of my house. Because of my windows, I probably wouldn't allow it to reach higher than 4 feet, 5 at the very most. They will get full sun, though I do live by the coast where sometimes there is fog. I am not sure how far apart I should plant these from each other, or how far from the house they should be. I actually started them last year but I think they are too close to each other, and too close to the house. I am practically starting over with them, because I had allowed a tomato plant to take them over all summer. I only allowed that because I didn't succeed the last time I tried to grow a tomato plant, and this one just popped up by itself and flourished like crazy. I was enamored by that, so I let it crowd out the mutabilis. Now that I cut back the tomato plant, I regret the effect it had of stunting the growth I could have achieved with these roses, one of them having to start over from the ground. That one already has started sprouting new leaves. This plant grows fast! So how far should I space these? Will there be any permanent damage by having to transplant them again?

Featured Answer

jerijen

14 years ago

I don't imagine you will have a problem transplanting them -- though keep in mind that THEY WILL NOT BE DORMANT.
Since these are small plants, I would urge you to avoid cutting off a lot of growth.
Roses of this sort store their energy in their twiggy growth, and the more of it you cut away, the greater the impact on the plant.

But, most of all, I would urge you to reconsider the location in front of windows.

I have seen bigger ones, but in my conditions, Mutabilis easily rizes to 7 ft.

In your Z-9 conditions, I think you will have a constant fight to keep the plants from growing taller than you want them to. And, to do so, you are going to have to mercilessly whack off a lot of new growth and bloom.

Consider, instead, finding some Polyahthas for your location below windows.

Those, too, should be continuous-blooming, and they will fit the space nicely. And there is a big selection of cultivars to select from, in a wide range of colors.
Place Mutabilis where you can see it as the big, bountiful, beauty it was meant to be.

Jeri
Coastal Ventura County,
Southern California

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Comments (9)

catsrose
14 years ago
Try the Comtessa de Cayla. She is very like Mutabilis but doesn't get as large. Her colors arent quite so varied and lack that almost metalic shimmer that M. has, but she is a wonderful first cousin and blooms as constantly. Also a China.
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fallfograin
Original Author
14 years ago
Well, this is a hard one for me to decide. I have been worried about it growing too big. I actually transplanted one of them today, moving it a little bit further out and away from the other one. I'm still not sure what I want to do! Anymore suggestions out there? I may just let it go wild and then if it gets too out of control go with something else. I do worry about having to prune it too much and ending up with less blossoms as a result. But it does get blooms fast! I have some delphiniums in front of it but need to move at least one of them as it is not placed right. How much space should I give in front of the mutabilis before putting in other plants? Any other suggestions besides mutabilis for a good foundation plant? What about rosemary? I am considering that as well, and wonder which type would be the best. I love to hear people's opinions, so thanks for your suggestions.
petaloid
14 years ago
In my experience it adapts to being trimmed back and keeps on blooming. One of our favorites for this climate.
hotmailemail
14 years ago
Very useful information I was wondering that myself thanks everyone for sharing the information.

Here is a link that might be useful: hotmail email
Noni Morrison
14 years ago
MIne grows well over my head, probably 10' and 10 wide. I hack off what is in the path and it just keeps growing. Sure it pretty from a long ways away though. I have it by my driveway so I see it every time I come and go from my house. I simply can not imagine it restrained in size.
sandy808
14 years ago
Mutabilis will be at it's most beautiful if you are not constantly hacking it back. True, chinas can tolerate some pruning, but I feel you will be ruining the form of Mutabilis by doing so. You need to plant it where you would be doing minimial pruning. It all goes back to the saying of "right plant, right place". It would be like telling a woman who wears a size nine shoe to squeeze her feet into a size five. Not a happy situation. Mutabilis is a gorgeous plant. Don't hack it.

I'm with Jeri. Try some pretty polyanthas in that spot. I would never plant Mutabilis on anything less than six foot centers. Eight is even better.

Sandy
fallfograin
Original Author
14 years ago
I don't really know much about roses. When I search for Polyanthas I get some plant that is so small I couldn't imagine ever using it as a foundation planting. It looks like something that would be used more for edging. Is there another name for it?
jerijen
14 years ago
There are one or two Polyanthas that are very, very small, but most will run 3-4 ft., and some higher.

Are you looking at HelpMeFindRoses?

Go to HMF.
On the left, select ADVANCED SEARCH
Select CLASS
Select POLYANTHA (under Shrub)

You'll get a good starting list.
OR go to the Vintage Gardens website, and search for POLYANTHAS.

Jeri

Here is a link that might be useful: HelpMeFind Roses

How far apart should I plant Rosa Chinensis Mutabilis?

jerijen

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How far apart should I plant Rosa Chinensis Mutabilis?

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