Class: Polyantha

The Fairy Photo © RoseGallery by SHO used with permission

"In 1869, Guillot fils of Lyon, France, sowed seed from R. multiflora 'Polyantha', a large shrub introduced from Japan around 1862, with clusters of single, white, fragrant blossoms. From this, he obtained a large crop of much varied seedlings; "I didn't have so many as two which resembled their mother!" said he. Elsewhere in Lyon, the breeder Rambaux had sown a separate crop, with similar results. Guillot fils got seeds from a semi-double in the crop, sowed these, and from this arose the first Polyantha, `Paquerette', released in 1875. Alongside the "pure" Polyanthas, breeders crossed them with Teas to obtain clusters of small but perfectly-formed buds, as with `Mlle. Cecile Brunner' and `Perle d'Or'. Polyanthas normally produce dwarfish, compact bushes ranging from one foot to three in height, bearing often immense clusters of small blossoms which can range through the whole spectrum of rose coloration. Some have a tendency towards leaflessness in the Summer. New Polyanthas continue to be bred and released in the present-day world of roses due to their unique qualities for breeding and display. They were crossed beginning in the Teens and 20's with Hybrid Teas to produce the Floribunda group. `Mlle. Cecile Brunner', `Perle d'Or', `Rita Sammons', `Lady Anne Kidwell', `Mignonette', `Clotilde Soupert', `Eblouissant', `Anne Marie de Montravel', `Mme. Norbert Levavasseur', `Perle des Rouges', `Merveille des Rouges', `Margo Koster', `Sunshine'."
- Brent C. Dickerson odinthor@csulb.edu, author, "The Old Rose Advisor"

Polyanthas are ideal for use as border plants or in containers. They are quite hardy, extremely tough and continuously flowering, but most have little or no scent.

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