“Perfect Colors for Fall”, a copyrighted post, was written for my WordPress blog called Always Growing by Jan in Covington, Louisiana
When reading other garden blogs lately, I have found that many have been getting as much or even more rain as we have, and everyone remarks on how much better their plants are doing. Going into August, we were over nine inches below normal, and now we are way over our normal levels for September.
One plant that has responded well to the extra water has been Mutablis or Butterfly Rose. I had wanted one of these for a long time and was so happy to stumble across one a few years ago. It has done well, but this summer’s dry weather was starting to affect how many flowers it put out. That no longer seems a problem.
The most striking feature of this rose is how the flower changes color as it ages. It starts out a buff yellow, then moves to a light pink, and finally to a dark pink color. Now that fall is fast approaching, these flowers’ colors seem more appropriate than in the spring or summer. It is hard for me to take a photo of all the colors together (esp. when it is starting to rain), but here is my best try.
I usually like double flowers, the frillier the better, but there is something about this single rose that appeals to me. It just seems to be so simple and so beautiful.
I know this old-fashioned rose is a favorite because even though I see very few of these blooming in my area, many bloggers write about the ones growing in their gardens. This is truly a lovely rose.
Always Growing 
Sweet Bay said,
September 27, 2009 at 11:26 pm
I love Mutabilis too, the single elegant flowers and the way they change colors. China roses are so wonderful that way, the way they darken.
Zindagi said,
September 28, 2009 at 5:08 am
Lovely rose, i just posted about my china rose which changes color too. Mother Nature has so many wonders hidden for us to explore!
tina said,
September 28, 2009 at 5:58 am
I would not have thought this a rose at first if you had not said it. It is most pretty and sometimes the singles are nice because we get so used to all the double frilly flowers. Have a great day and enjoy this great weather.
Phillip said,
September 28, 2009 at 2:16 pm
One of my favorites!
Annie in Austin said,
September 30, 2009 at 7:02 pm
Mine, too, Jan! The Mutabilis in front hadn’t bloomed in months but now it’s covered in flowers. When there’s a breeze it really does look like butterflies have landed on the plant ;-]
Annie at the Transplantable Rose