Rosa 'Mutabilis' – The Butterfly Rose (China Rose)

Rosa 'Mutabilis' (China Rose / Butterfly Rose)

Family

Rosaceae

Genus

Rosa

Cultivar

Mutabilis

Additional Names

Tipo Ideale, Butterfly Rose

Hybridizer

Unknown

Introduced

pre-1894

Synonyms

Rosa chinensis, Rosa chinensis var. mutabilis, Rosa mutabilis, Rosa turkestanica, Rosa x odorata

One of the most fascinating roses in cultivation, 'Mutabilis' (known as the Butterfly Rose) has been cherished since before 1894. Its single, silky flowers undergo a magical color transformation: they open soft yellow, turn to pink, and finally deepen to crimson—often with all three colors present simultaneously on the bush, resembling a flock of butterflies. This large, airy shrub can reach 6–8 feet tall and wide, with delicate, fern-like foliage and few thorns. It blooms continuously from spring to frost in mild climates. A true antique treasure, it is remarkably disease-resistant and heat-tolerant.