Rosa x floribunda Minerva - Floribunda Rose

The 'Minerva' Rose is an astonishing Belgian creation for two reasons. Unique for a floribunda, its double roses are remarkably fragrant and, furthermore, have a unique mauve-violet colour that absorbs light in a remarkable way. Developed in 2004, this compact bush rose has only been on the market since 2010. In addition to its extraordinary flowering, it also has good disease resistance. This well-bred variety, awarded for its fragrance in Saverne in 2008 and in Madrid in 2011, is undoubtedly destined for a bright future in our gardens. Its modest size also allows it to be grown on a terrace or balcony, in a carefully chosen large pot.

The cluster-flowered rose 'Minerva' is part of the floribunda roses, obtained through the cross-breeding of polyantha roses and tea roses. These plants are characterised by their long and abundant flowering, in the form of clusters of larger flowers than those of polyanthas. 'Minerva' is the result of the cross-breeding between the varieties 'Sharon's love' and 'Marie-Louise Velge', whose flowers, curiously, are white.

'Minerva' forms a small bush that is on average 75cm (30in) tall and spreads 60cm (24in) wide, thorny, vigorous, and bushy, with beautiful abundant and healthy foliage, of a slightly shiny dark green colour. Its flowering is remarkably long, lasting 5 to 6 months when in bloom. This bush continuously produces its very double, informal corollas, in slightly flattened cups, measuring 7-8cm (3in) in diameter, formed by 26 to 40 thick-petaled flowers with a satin finish. They are gathered in generous terminal clusters. The tightly closed buds open into extremely fragrant roses with a slightly more relaxed appearance. The exact shade of the flowers, from blooming to full bloom, is a deep mauve-violet, with some touches of bright pink to magenta. They reveal a beautiful crown of golden stamens when fully open.

Floribunda roses make beautiful small hedges, planted mixed at the edge of the terrace or in small shrub beds. Combine them with abelias, perovskias, or caryopteris, for example. They are good companions for panicle phlox and tall baby's breath. They can also be planted in groups of 5 as isolated plants in a small garden; surrounded by a border of catmints or carnations, they will form a beautiful mass of flowers throughout the season. Purple or mauve roses also pair well with the pink flowers of foxgloves, lavateras, or diascias, for example. Their combination with pale yellow flowers (Iceland poppies, Digitalis lutea) or soft orange (Agastache rupestris, 'Angel's Choir' Poppies, Dahlias) is more daring, but these complementary shades enhance each other. The modest size and extraordinary flowering of 'Minerva' make it a very interesting variety for growing in large pots.

Creation: Martin Vissers (Belgium) in 2004.