1 named cultivar

‘Mutabilis’Mutabilis Rose

shrub

Rose

Rosa chinensis

The Story

Plant Bio

Rosa chinensis, China rose, is a rounded deciduous shrub from south-central China, six to eight feet in both directions. Prickly stems carry glossy leaves that flush red when young, and wheel-shaped flowers one to three inches across open through summer in pink, red or white, followed by orange-red hips.

This is the rose that gave every modern repeat-flowering variety its habit — before it reached Europe, garden roses flowered once and stopped. It still blooms in flushes from summer to frost rather than in a single burst. It is more heat tolerant and less demanding than most hybrid teas, and the hips feed birds through winter.

Uses & Benefits:

Repeat flushes of open wheel-shaped flowers from summer to frost, then orange-red hips.

The ancestor of modern repeat-flowering roses, and tougher in heat than most hybrid teas.

Honey bees work the open flowers, and birds eat the hips through winter.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

84 inches

Width

84 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Water

Moderate

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

South-central China

Toxicity

Non-toxic; hips are edible

Planting

How to Grow

Plant in full sun in moist, freely drained soil.
Allow six to eight feet in both directions.
Water at the base, keeping foliage dry.
Prune in late winter to an open framework.
Deadhead through summer to keep flushes coming.
Leave the last flowers to form hips for birds.

Pro Tip

Water at the roots and never over the leaves — wet foliage is what starts blackspot, and this rose is otherwise fairly resistant.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Water at the base, not the leaves 💧
Prune to an open framework in late winter ✂️
Deadhead to keep flushes coming 🌹
Leave late flowers for hips 🐦

Don't

Water overhead ❌
Crowd it against other shrubs ❌
Deadhead the final autumn flush ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Deadhead
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Repeat-flowering shrub in a sunny borderInformal hedge or bank plantingCottage and cutting garden

Companion Plants

Catmint Lavender Hardy Geranium SalviaLady's Mantle

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Rose questions

What zones can Rose grow in?

Rose is hardy in USDA Zones 6–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Rose deer resistant?

Not reliably. Deer may browse Rose, especially tender spring growth — plan on repellents or fencing where pressure is high.

When does Rose bloom?

Rose typically blooms in summer to frost through late summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Rose need full sun?

Rose does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Rose drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Rose handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.