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'Merlot' rose Description
'Merlot (miniature, Benardella 2001)' rose photo
Photo courtesy of Susan Murphy
Availability:
Commercially available
Synonyms:
HMF Ratings:
28 favorite votes.  
Average rating: EXCELLENT-.  
ARS:
Dark red Miniature.
Registration name: BENfebu
Origin:
Bred by Frank A. Benardella (United States, 2001).
Introduced in United States by Nor' East Miniature Roses in 2002 as 'Merlot'.
Class:
Miniature.  
Bloom:
Dark red, white reverse.  None to mild fragrance.  23 to 28 petals.  Average diameter 2".  Medium, very double, borne mostly solitary, in small clusters, cupped, high-centered to flat bloom form.  Blooms in flushes throughout the season.  Ovoid buds.  
Habit:
Medium, upright, well-branched.  Large, semi-glossy, dark green foliage.  3 to 7 leaflets.  

Height: 2' to 34" (60 to 85cm).  Width: 2' to 3' (60 to 90cm).
Growing:
USDA zone 4b through 10b.  Can be used for beds and borders, container rose, cut flower, exhibition or garden.  Disease susceptibility: disease resistant.  Remove spent blooms to encourage re-bloom.  Spring Pruning: Remove old canes and dead or diseased wood and cut back canes that cross. In warmer climates, cut back the remaining canes by about one-third. In colder areas, you'll probably find you'll have to prune a little more than that.  
Breeder's notes:
Holds form well.
Patents:
United States - Patent No: PP 16,483  on  25 Apr 2006   VIEW USPTO PATENT
Application No: 10/318,843  on  13 Dec 2002
Inventors: Benardella; Frank (Englishtown, NJ)
Assignee: Nor'East Miniature Rose (Arroyo Grande, CA)
This new variety is from a single seedling created in a greenhouse in Englishtown, N.J. by crossing the following two rose plants: The seed parent is `BENfig` (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,020). The pollen parent is an unnamed, unintroduced miniature rose (not patented) which was a cross of `KINfancy` (not patented) by `BENblack` (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 5,925).
Notes:
Dark red petals with a white reverse, make this eye-catching miniature truly intoxicating! The plant is vigorous, easy to grow and is continuously covered with hybrid tea-type blooms. A great miniature rose for the casual gardener and a must for the exhibitor.

* 2002 AOE Winner! *