Rosa x floribunda Minerva

The Minerva Rose is a remarkable Belgian creation in two ways. Unique for a floribunda, its double roses are remarkably fragrant, and, what's more, they have a unique mauve-violet colour that absorbs light in a remarkable way. Obtained 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 planted on the terrace or balcony in a carefully chosen large pot.

The cluster-flowered rose Minerva 'VISancar' 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 larger clusters of flowers than polyanthas. 'Minerva' is the result of a cross between the varieties 'Sharon's love' and 'Marie-Louise Velge', whose flowers, curiously, are white.

Minerva forms a small bush 75 cm in height and 60cm (24in) in spread on average, thorny, vigorous and bushy, with beautiful abundant and healthy foliage, dark green and slightly glossy. Its flowering is remarkably long, lasting for 5 to 6 months. This bush constantly produces during the whole summer its very double, informal corollas, slightly flattened cups, 7-8cm (3in) in diameter, formed of 26 to 40 thick petals 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 bud to full bloom, is an intense mauve-violet, with some touches of bright pink to magenta. They fully reveal a beautiful crown of golden stamens when fully open.

Floribunda roses can be used to create beautiful small hedges, planted mixed along the edge of the terrace or in small shrub beds. Pair them with abelias, perovskias, or caryopteris, for example. They are good companions for paniculate phlox and tall baby's breath. They can also be planted in groups of 5 as solitary plants in a small garden; surrounded by a border of catmints or carnations, they will form a very beautiful mass of flowers throughout the season. Purple or mauve roses blend well with the pink flowers of foxgloves, lavateras, or diascias, for example. Their combination with pale yellow flowers (Iceland poppy, Digitalis lutea) or soft orange flowers (Agastache rupestris, Angel's Choir Poppies, Dahlias) is bolder, 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.

Obtained by: Martin Vissers (Belgium) in 2004.