CLEOPÁTRA™ – red-yellow dwarf mini rose
Bring a touch of playful colour to even the smallest Irish garden with CLEOPÁTRA™, a compact, easy-going miniature rose that suits both cottage borders and neat Dublin terraces, happily flowering through cool summers and showers. Its tight, bushy habit and glossy dark foliage keep the plant looking orderly, while clusters of crimson-and-cream blooms create a lively, “girly” accent along paths, in edging, or beside a front door. This dwarf rose settles in quickly as an own-root plant, building a strong base for a long lifespan with little fuss from you. In a modest front bed or a 40–50 litre patio container, it offers generous repeat flowering, from the first warm days to autumn, with a light, fruity fragrance that rewards a short stroll outside after rain. Over time, its own-root growth quietly strengthens, supporting reliable structure and steady flowering year after year.
Usage options
| Target area |
Reasoning |
| Cottage-style front garden edging |
The compact, bushy habit keeps CLEOPÁTRA™ neat along paths while the red-and-yellow flowers add cheerful cottage-garden charm without overgrowing neighbouring plants; ideal for low-maintenance edging that still feels romantic for the beginner. |
| Low terrace or balcony containers |
Its dwarf size and steady, remontant flowering are perfect for 40–50 litre pots, where roots have enough space to anchor and support long-term, own-root growth with little pruning, giving consistent colour close to the house for the urbanite. |
| Small family garden flower bed |
Dense foliage and repeat flushes of small, double blooms slot easily into mixed beds, bringing reliable summer-long colour without complex care, so busy households can enjoy roses alongside perennials and grasses for the homeowner. |
| Mini hedge or path border |
Planted 25–30 cm apart, CLEOPÁTRA™ forms a tidy, low ribbon of colour that children can enjoy up close, while the own-root plants build a stable, long-lived line of shrubs needing only occasional light trimming for the family. |
| Clay soil gardens with improved drainage |
Once the planting hole is opened up with grit or compost for drainage, this disease-resistant variety copes well with typical Irish rainfall, staying healthy and ornamental through damp spells and cool summers for the gardener. |
| Partial-shade side passages |
Suitable for partial shade, the glossy dark foliage and bright bicolour blooms still stand out in side yards or between houses, turning overlooked corners into charming walkways with very modest maintenance for the busy. |
| Long-term, low-intervention planting |
As an own-root rose, CLEOPÁTRA™ establishes roots strongly in the first year, builds more shoots in the second, and reaches full ornamental value around the third, remaining even-shaped and dependable with light seasonal care for the planner. |
| Formal mini rose displays |
The small, double, cup-shaped flowers and compact, even structure lend themselves to ordered, miniature rose beds or pattern plantings that stay precise and colourful with simple deadheading and basic feeding for the collector. |
Styling ideas
- Cottage-Ribbon – Run a line of CLEOPÁTRA™ along a gravel path, mixing in low catmint and hardy geraniums for a soft, storybook edge – perfect for cottage-garden romantics.
- Terrace-Jewel – Plant three CLEOPÁTRA™ in a 50 litre terracotta pot with trailing thyme to create a compact, fragrant focal point – ideal for balcony or small-terrace dwellers.
- Mini-Parterre – Use tight spacings to outline a small parterre, filling centres with lavender or dwarf grasses for structure and year-round form – suited to lovers of formal layouts.
- Family-Front – Combine CLEOPÁTRA™ with panicled phlox and feather-reed grass in a narrow front border for easy colour layers children and guests notice immediately – great for busy families.
- Shady-Side – Brighten a part-shaded side passage by alternating CLEOPÁTRA™ with hostas and ferns, letting the glossy foliage contrast with lush greens – appealing to subtle-design enthusiasts.
Technical cultivar profile
| Characteristic |
Data |
| Name and registration |
Miniature, dwarf rose marketed as CLEOPÁTRA™ – red-yellow dwarf mini rose; part of the Mini collection, commercial group Rósra mion - abhac; discovered and selected within the pharmaROSA® range. |
| Origin and breeding |
Parentage and original breeder unknown; discovered by pharmaROSA® and introduced to the market in 1994, with registration in 1993; initial distribution handled by PharmaRosa® Ltd. in Hungary. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Compact, bushy dwarf shrub reaching about 30–40 cm high and 25–35 cm wide; dense, glossy dark green foliage and moderate prickliness give a tidy, robust presence suited to edging and containers. |
| Flower morphology |
Small, double, cup-shaped flowers, typically 1–4 cm across, borne in clusters; 26–39 petals create a richly filled look, with dependable remontant flowering and an especially abundant second flush in season. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Striking bicolour effect: outer petal surfaces creamy yellow (RHS 11C), inner sides vivid crimson red (RHS 53A); colour holds very well, with only slight dulling of red as blooms age while the yellow reverse remains creamy. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Delicately fruity fragrance of mild intensity, noticeable at close range without overwhelming nearby seating areas; primarily grown for colour and form but offers a gentle, pleasant scent for intimate garden spaces. |
| Hip characteristics |
Occasional production of small, ellipsoid orange-red hips, around 5–7 mm in diameter; modest decorative value, mainly visible in close-up plantings or low borders where detail can be appreciated. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Good overall disease resistance, with noted resistance to powdery mildew, black spot and rust; reliably hardy to about -21 to -18 °C (USDA zone 6b), performing well in cool, damp temperate climates. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Ideal for flower beds, edging and containers; space 25–45 cm depending on use; prefers well-drained but moisture-retentive soil, regular watering in dry spells, and light pruning plus occasional feeding to support remontant bloom. |
CLEOPÁTRA™ – red-yellow dwarf mini rose offers compact structure, repeat colour and reliable health in an own-root form that settles in for years of easy enjoyment, making it a thoughtful choice for your next planting.
