ROSA chinensis 'Mutabilis'

Generous variety of Rosa chinensis, perennial and semi-deciduous, with a light and dense shrub habit, easy to grow and of Chinese origin: after a few years of cultivation it can exceed 2.50 m both in height and in width. Well lignified and branched from the base, it has stems that after an initial erect posture spread outwards, dividing repeatedly so as to give the plant an airy although rich and compact appearance. The leaves, pleasantly tinged with red when young and a nice dark green when ripe, are glabrous, composed and odd-paripinnate formed by 3-5 leaflets: these are obovate, with slightly serrated edges and acute apex. From late spring and almost until the beginning of winter, abundant delicate, light, medium-sized, simple flowers, with a corolla formed by only 5 petals and the central button of showy golden stamens, "whirl" among the branches, like graceful multicolored butterflies, recalling insects of all kinds; they bloom in a truly characteristic way: a light orange color that then intensify, passing from pink to crimson at their maturity: from this peculiarity derives the name "Mutabilis" of the variety and it should be emphasized that the chromatic change, a phenomenon present in many other species that usually leads to lighten the flower, on this occasion it is even more original because it takes it from lighter shades to darker shades. In autumn, remaining throughout the winter, small fleshy spherical fruits called “rose hips” begin to ripen in a really decorative red orange color.

It prefers bright and sunny locations or only partial shade; it adapts to any soil, appreciating those, fresh, humid and rich, as long as they are permeable. It tolerates the presence of saline winds typical of the areas close to the sea and can overcome even short periods of drought: it also tolerates minimum winter temperatures of several degrees below zero, defending itself with the loss of foliage that appears generously in the first spring warmth. Generally, it cannot stand and does not require pruning; at the end of winter, however, dry, damaged, old or cluttered parts can be eliminated without problem. Fabulous in large pots and containers on terraces and balconies; in the open ground in the garden it is extremely versatile: let's think, with several specimens arranged in succession, to create impressive and at the same time vaporous, polychrome hedges and impenetrable barriers or alone to form a spectacular, majestic bush.