Rosa 'Visankar' MINERVA® standard rose (Vissers)

Minerva was a Belgium car making company producing cars between 1899 and 1939, and the first to come up with a 4-wheel breaking system in 1926. It is also a name for a rose bred by Belgium breeder Martin Vissers who named his rose in honour of the brand in 2004.

MINERVA® is a floribunda rose with semi-double to double, medium-sized, rich violet-mauve flowers that come out in profusion from late May until October. As a floribunda it makes numerous buds in one raceme so one flowering phase lasts very long and if properly pruned during the season it can bloom almost continuously. MINERVA® is also sought-after for its strong perfume. Rich, partly citrus sweet with more spiciness, very intoxicating. Leaves are usually healthy, deep green and glossy, smaller than those on hybrid tea's. It is not a too vigorous grower, and makes about the same height and width. Introduced in 2010.

Planting instructions: Plant it in the same level as it is now in the container. Provide a good support for the stem. Water it well and mulch it for winter. Roses tolerate wide range of soils but thrive in deep, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil, in full sun. If you live in a region with harsh and long winters protect the crown and the grafting point with white woven.

Pruning: In spring after danger of all frosts prune the crown lightly to form a solid framework, and remove ill, dry and weak branches. Spent flowers are best removed as they begin to fade. Cut off spent flowering clusters just above the leaf with 5 leaflets. Follow a regular feeding programme during the growing season in order to enhance formation of new flowers.

Last update: 22-10-2017