The first polyantha rose occured in France as a natural cross between the cluster-flowered Rosa multiflora and repeat-blooming Rosa chinensis. Polyanthas are usually short, from 1-3 ft., and wider than they are tall. Flowers are small but grouped in large clusters and produced in abundance. Individual blooms are usually semi-double or double and with few exceptions, have almost no fragrance. In the south, polyantha roses have occasional minor touches of blackspot, but of little consequence to their propensity to bloom. They are even more disease-resistant in cooler climates. Zones 4-10 |