This post, “Butterfly Rose” was written for my WordPress blog called Always Growing by Jan in Covington, Louisiana
Early this spring I trimmed back the Butterfly Rose (Mutabilis) because it had grown so much it was getting a little rangey. Today, when I pulled into the driveway, I realized this is the best it has ever looked.
This is not the best picture because I had to take it very quickly since a shower was imminent, and it was thundering. This rose is a China rose and does well in our hot humid climate. The single flowers start out a light yellow and as the day goes on the blooms turn a pinky orange, and then finally they turn a dark pink. Because it has all three colors on it at one time, it got the name of Butterfly Rose. I guess people thought it looked like different butterflies were sitting on the bush. It is a repeat bloomer (though it tends to bloom in flushes) and will bloom as long as it is not too cold.
I try and keep this robust rose to about five feet. It has gracefully arching canes with dark green leaves that are a bronze color when they first emerge. This is a very popular rose and after having this one for about three years, I can see why – pretty flowers, repeat blooms, disease resistant foliage. What more could you ask for?
Always Growing 
nancybond said,
April 18, 2008 at 6:30 pm
A beautiful rose!
Brenda Kula said,
April 18, 2008 at 6:37 pm
I’ll have to look into this rose you have. Sounds like it would work here as well. The colors sound like a rainbow emerging. And the disease resistant foliage. What more can you ask for?
Brenda
Jan said,
April 18, 2008 at 7:11 pm
Thanks, Nancy, for visiting so often. Butterfly rose is simple and beautiful.
Brenda, this rose probably would do well for you.
Amy said,
April 18, 2008 at 9:53 pm
I planted two roses for the first time last year. They’re both in the explorer series (developed for Canada and named after Canadian explorers). I hopt that mine are as beautiful as this someday.
Sherry said,
April 19, 2008 at 12:01 am
I don’t think I’ve ever seen this kind of rose before. It is beautiful. I love the colors and that it’s a single-flowered rose. The roses do kind of look like butterflies. I wonder if it would grow here.. I’m going to have to look for one of these.
Jan said,
April 19, 2008 at 4:47 am
Amy, thanks for stopping by. I have heard of the Explorer series of roses, in fact, I have read they are supposed to do well this far south because they were bred for harsh conditions. I’d love to have a John Cabot
Sherry, these are great roses. They are supposed to be hardy at least to zone 5b.
Phillip said,
April 21, 2008 at 7:31 am
Mine is just starting to bloom and I think it is going to be beautiful this year. I had one previously that died (it is a tender rose) but I think my new one is in a better spot.
Jan said,
April 21, 2008 at 4:47 pm
Phillip, I’m sure yours will be lovely this year. I trimmed mine back early this year, and I think that is the trick to having lush blooms.