Rosa x polyantha NECTAR GARDEN LILLIPUTS Lupo - Dwarf Rose

The 'Lupo' (Kordwarul) rose bush is part of a series of particularly floriferous and resistant miniature varieties, the Lilliputs, created by the German rose breeder Kordes. This rose offers a long and vibrant flowering period, with small single flowers in umbels that are bicoloured in magenta and white. It is also known for its abundant fruiting, which makes this tiny bush highly decorative for months on end. This lovely variety is also very hardy, resistant to diseases, and easy to grow, both in the ground and in pots.

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The flowers of Rosa Lupo 'Kordwarul', gathered in terminal clusters, come from the polyantha rose, an old hybrid derived from Rosa multiflora and Rosa chinensis. This hybrid variety was introduced in 2006 by Kordes. In 2007, this rose received the highly demanding German ADR label, which rewards varieties that are most resistant to diseases and pests without treatment, among other very selective criteria. It has been included in Kordes Nectar Garden rose collection, dedicated to biodiversity in gardens.

This compact and well-behaved shrub has a bushy and branched habit, very dense and always neat. It will reach a height of about 50 cm (20in) and a width of 40 cm (16in) in 5 to 10 years. The single flowers, measuring 3 cm (1in) in diameter, are produced abundantly and continuously from June to October if the soil remains moist. In this Lupo variety, they are composed of 5 petals that evolve from pink-violet to magenta, with a white base, arranged in a cup shape around a small cluster of yellow stamens. This slightly fragrant flowering attracts many pollinating insects. The flowers are followed by small round and fleshy fruits that turn red when ripe and are sought after by birds. This variety has very healthy foliage, well-filled, with small dentate leaflets not exceeding 2 cm (1in) long and 1 cm (0.5in) wide, of a beautiful bright and glossy green. It is deciduous, meaning it disappears in winter and re-emerges in spring on short stems with prickles.

The Lilliputs 'Lupo' rose bush looks wonderful when planted en masse along a path, in a flower bed, in a pot, or in a container on the patio. It can be associated with other miniature roses, in harmonious colours, or planted in groups of three plants, arranged in a triangle, in the centre of a small flower bed. It pairs beautifully with perennial geraniums (Geranium Blue Cloud, Anne Folkard, Nimbus, Orion), bellflowers (lactiflora, rapunculoides), catmints, perennial salvias, baby's breath, or lobelias, depending on the preferences of each gardener. It will also make a great impact at the front of shrub rose beds, where it will conceal the base of the plants.