Micro-minis are the darlings of the rose world. Originally just called miniatures, they became micro-minis because the newer minis are considerably larger. I have over 30 micros in my yard. They're excellent potted plants and outstanding for those under 3 inch arrangements. One of the first hybridized minis, Tom Thumb, could be considered a micro by today's standards. One reference defines micros as roses with blooms under 1" in diameter. Another defines micros as rose plants that grow under 8" tall. One rose society defines micro as rose blooms less than a 1/2". Currently, the ARS does not have an official definition of a micro.

One of the loveliest and smallest of all roses is the white Si, bred by Pedro Dot. The blooms are no larger than a grain of rice and then blows quickly to a semidouble bloom approximately 1/4" in size. It's hard to show Si as its most perfect phase of beauty is while it's a bud with the sepals still up, but it is still a micro-mini worth growing. Another one of my personal favorites is Spice Drop. This coral blend micro produces exhibition form blooms on stems with sparse foliage. It's excellent in miniature rose arrangements. Other outstanding micros are the light pinks Baby Betsy McCall, the pink Bo-Peep, the yellows Little Linda and Littlest Angel, the deep pink Little Chief, the whites Popcorn and Cinderella, plus the medium red Elizabeth Abler.

So where do they come from? Micro-minis are largely created as a result from hybridization using miniature roses. A small percent of all seedlings will result in micros. Few breeders will try or market micros. They are hard to handle and propagate, mostly due to their minute size. Tiny Petals, Justice Minis, and Nor' East do offer micros. Even though they are petite, most micros are tough little plants that require less fertilizer than their larger counterparts. Because of their petite size, no one should have an excuse not to grow a micro-mini.