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*Correct and successful spacing is complex and depends on project conditions.
Rosa chinensis 'Mutabilis'
Rose, Mutabilis
- Multi-colored blooms
- Large, arching form
- Strong heat tolerance
- Category: Trees & Shrubs, Discontinued
- Hardiness Zone: 7a
- Height: 6-10 Feet
- Spread: 6-8 Feet
- Spacing: 6-8 feet
- Bloom Color: Pink, Red, Yellow
Mutabilis Rose is a large, heirloom shrub rose treasured for its ever-changing blooms that open apricot and fade through pink to crimson, often displaying multiple colors at once. This striking feature, along with its graceful, arching growth habit, makes Mutabilis a standout in cottage gardens, rose collections, and informal borders. It blooms continuously from spring through frost in warm climates.
Mutabilis performs best in full sun with well-drained soil, and it adapts well to alkaline soils commonly found in Central Texas. It is drought-tolerant once established and is generally deer-resistant. While it thrives in hot, dry conditions, consistent watering during extended drought will enhance bloom production and plant vigor.
This rose can grow quite large, reaching 6-10 feet tall and 6-8 feet wide. It may be grown as a large shrub, informal hedge, or trained on a trellis. When planting multiple specimens, space them 6-8 feet apart to allow for air circulation and natural shape development. Occasional pruning helps maintain a balanced form and encourages new flowering wood.
As with all roses, gardeners should monitor for Rose Rosette Disease (RRD), a fatal viral condition spread by eriophyid mites. Though Mutabilis is considered relatively hardy and disease-resistant, it is still susceptible to RRD, especially during hot, dry summers when mite activity increases. Early signs include excessive thorniness, twisted growth, and dense “witch’s broom” clusters. Infected plants must be removed to prevent spread.
In USDA Zones 7-10, Mutabilis is cold hardy in most parts of Texas but may benefit from mulching in northern zones to protect roots from severe freezes. It responds well to light pruning in early spring, which encourages fresh, vigorous growth and a strong flush of blooms.