Chinese roses bloom in all four seasons, and their beauty rivals that of peonies and herbaceous peonies; they are excellent potted plants well worth adding to your collection.

Today's main subject

The herbaceous peony, sister of the "king of flowers," the tree peony. Both belong to the same family and genus, and it is known as the "prime minister of flowers." It is a traditional famous flower of China with very high ornamental value. If you look only at the flower of the plant introduced today and not at its leaves, you might mistake it for a herbaceous peony, and it also carries a hint of the tree peony. This flower is called "Mary Rose," a woody shrub in the rose family (Rosaceae).

Mary Rose

Among Chinese roses, there are two called "Mary Rose." One is a European rose from Austin in England; the other is today's main subject, a Japanese rose from Hyogo Prefecture, Japan, abbreviated as Mary, Japanese Mary, and so on. Its flowers are very special, and in terms of flower shape and color as well as branch and leaf characteristics, it differs from other Chinese rose varieties, making it very easy to remember.

Distinctive flowers

The Japanese Mary flower is very full, fully double, and when in full bloom reveals a yellow center, giving it a luxurious feel reminiscent of tree peonies and herbaceous peonies. The flower shape is lotus-like, carrying a touch of lotus charm; the petal edges are tinged with white, as if it has its own halo, full of ethereal beauty, extremely lovely, the kind of flower that instantly leaves people helpless to resist.

Long blooming period, abundant flowers

Japanese Mary is a floriferous and repeat-blooming variety, blooming repeatedly across multiple seasons throughout the year. Whether in spring, summer, autumn or winter, a single flower can last 7 to 10 days, unlike some varieties that "scatter in a day." The flowers carry a mixed fragrance of old rose and fruit, an intoxicating scent. It branches heavily and bears abundant flowers, with blooms covering the branches at peak flowering, giving an excellent ornamental effect.

Worth buying

Japanese Mary is not difficult to cultivate. The plant is short, so potted growing on a balcony is no problem. It is cold-tolerant but not heat-tolerant; in winter it can be grown outdoors to overwinter even in northern regions, while in summer in the hot regions of the south it needs to be moved to a ventilated, shady environment. Once you understand its characteristics, it is very easy to grow. Keep one at home and you can enjoy flowers in all four seasons, with rich and gorgeous blooms; it is well worth buying.