HelpMeFind Roses, Clematis and Peonies
Roses, Clematis and Peonies
and everything gardening related.
DescriptionPhotosLineageAwardsReferencesMember RatingsMember CommentsMember JournalsGardensBuy From 
'Merlot' rose Description
'Merlot (miniature, Benardella 2001)' rose photo
Photo courtesy of mlaiuppa
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! *