Ballerina Rose Rosa 'Ballerina' (Hm/poly)
ABOUT
The 'Ballerina' rose, a type of hybrid musk rose, presents a charming and graceful appearance that befits its name. It is known for its abundant clusters of small, single to semi-double flowers. The blooms exhibit a delicate pink hue, often with a white eye at the center, giving them a simplistic yet elegant look. The petals are soft and rounded, with a silky texture, sometimes showing a lighter pink or almost white at the edges. This rose bush has a bushy, mounded habit, presenting an abundant green foliage that serves as an attractive background to the profusion of pink blossoms. The leaves are typically a medium to dark green with a matte finish and possess a healthy, lush look throughout the blooming season. Its branches are sturdy, allowing it to support the weight of the numerous flowers that adorn it in a generous display, often from late spring into the early fall. The 'Ballerina' rose emits a delicate fragrance that can be sensed when standing close to the plant, adding another layer of sensory appeal to its already enchanting presentation. As the seasons change, the blooms may develop decorative orange-red hips, adding further interest to the plant's appearance late in the year.
About this plant
NamesSynonyms
Ballerina Rose, Ballerina Hybrid Musk Rose.
Common names
Rosa 'Ballerina'
ToxicityTo humans
The Ballerina rose is not considered toxic to humans. In general, rose plants are safe, and there are no serious risks associated with ingesting parts of the flower or plant. However, the thorns can cause physical injury if not handled carefully.
To pets
Similarly, the Ballerina rose is not toxic to pets. Roses, in general, are non-toxic to cats, dogs, and horses. It's important watch out for any potential injuries from the thorns if pets try to chew on or play with the rose bushes.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Pink
Height
4 feet (1.22 meters)
Spread
3 feet (0.91 meters)
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
5
Native area
Cultivar
Benefits
General Benefits- Ornamental Appeal: Rosa 'Ballerina' is valued for its abundant, delicate pink to white blossoms that provide visual interest to gardens and landscapes.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, this rose variety is relatively tolerant to dry conditions, making it suitable for gardens with limited water availability.
- Disease Resistance: Rosa 'Ballerina' is known to have good resistance to common rose diseases such as black spot and powdery mildew.
- Long Blooming Period: This hybrid musk rose typically enjoys a lengthy blooming season, offering flowers from late spring into fall.
- Pollinator Attraction: The open flowers of Rosa 'Ballerina' attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators, supporting local ecosystems.
- Low Maintenance: As a hardy shrub, Rosa 'Ballerina' generally requires less maintenance than many high-maintenance rose varieties.
- Versatility: This rose can be used in various landscape applications, including borders, hedges, or as a standalone feature in a garden bed.
- Cold Hardy: The plant is capable of surviving in colder climates, making it a suitable choice for gardeners in many regions.
- Scented Flowers: The blooms of Rosa 'Ballerina' have a subtle fragrance that can add an additional sensory experience to gardens and outdoor spaces.
- Wildlife Support: Provides food and habitat for wildlife, such as birds that may feed on the hips in autumn.
Medical Properties- Antioxidant: Rose petals and fruits (hips) from Rosa species are known to contain vitamin C and other antioxidants, which can help in neutralizing harmful free radicals in the body.
- Anti-inflammatory: Rose extracts can exhibit anti-inflammatory properties, which may be beneficial in reducing inflammation.
- Skin health: Rosa 'Ballerina' may share similar properties to other roses, such as the Rosa genus, which are traditionally used in skincare for their astringent and hydrating effects.
- Aromatherapy: The scent of roses is commonly used in aromatherapy to help reduce stress and promote relaxation.
- Vitamin C source: The hips (fruits) of roses are a rich source of vitamin C, which is essential for immune system function and skin health.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Rosa 'Ballerina' can be used to make natural dyes for fabrics, yielding delicate pink to soft red hues depending on the mordant used.
- Its petals can be added to salads or desserts for an elegant, edible garnish with a mild floral flavor.
- The rose hips produced by 'Ballerina' are suitable for making herbal teas, offering a rich source of vitamin C.
- Dried 'Ballerina' petals can be used in homemade potpourri blends to add fragrance to rooms.
- The flowers are perfect for creating a natural rose water that can be used for cooking or as a facial toner.
- Petals can be incorporated into homemade paper, providing a decorative floral element to the finished product.
- The plant can be grown as a floral border to attract pollinators like bees and butterflies to gardens.
- 'Ballerina' roses are used for creating rose petal confetti for weddings and other celebrations.
- The stems and thorns of the 'Ballerina' can be utilized in barrier plantings, deterring pests and small animals from garden areas.
- When pruned properly, its branches can be formed into natural wreaths or other decorative shapes for crafts or occasions.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe rose is often associated with love and positive chi in Feng Shui, especially in shades of pink which signify love and romance. When using Rosa 'Ballerina', place it in the southwest area of the garden or home to enhance relationship luck or in living areas to create a harmonious and inviting atmosphere.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe rose is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Love: Roses are universally symbolic of deep affection and love, with different colors expressing different nuances of this emotion.
- Beauty: The Rosa 'Ballerina' is admired for its graceful form and delicate blooms, often associated with the aesthetic and ephemeral nature of beauty.
- Balance: The symmetrical growth habit and evenly placed blossoms of the 'Ballerina' rose can represent balance and harmony in life.
- Femininity: Representing the beauty and grace of a dancer, this rose can symbolize femininity and the soft, elegant aspects of womanhood.
- Celebration: With its joyous and abundant flowers, the 'Ballerina' rose is often used to celebrate special moments and convey congratulations.
- Healing: As roses are often associated with healing properties and are used in various therapeutic contexts, they can symbolize recovery and rejuvenation.
- Honor: Gifting roses is a traditional way to show respect and honor someone's achievements or character.
- Enduring Passion: While some roses represent transient love, the long bloom season of 'Ballerina' suggests a lasting passion or commitment.
WaterThe Ballerina rose should be watered deeply once a week, providing about 1-2 gallons of water for each plant to encourage deep root growth. During the hot summer months or in particularly dry climates, it may require watering twice a week. It’s crucial to avoid overhead watering to prevent disease; instead, water at the base of the plant early in the day. Adjust the amount of water during rainy periods to prevent overwatering, which can lead to root rot. During the winter, watering can be reduced significantly, especially if there is natural precipitation.
LightThe Ballerina rose thrives in full sunlight, requiring at least 6 hours of direct sun each day for optimal growth and bloom production. A spot in the garden that receives morning sun is ideal as it helps dry the dew on the leaves, which can minimize the risk of disease. However, in extremely hot climates, some afternoon shade can help protect the roses from intense heat.
TemperatureThe Ballerina rose is hardy and can withstand a wide range of temperatures, but it performs best when the daytime temperature ranges between 70°F to 80°F. It can survive minimum winter temperatures of about 20°F, but should be protected if the temperature drops significantly below this. Ideally, avoid exposing the rose to sudden temperature fluctuations and extreme heat above 90°F for prolonged periods.
PruningPrune the Ballerina rose in late winter or early spring, removing dead or diseased wood and thinning out dense growth to encourage air circulation. This will help to stimulate new growth, promote a more pleasing shape, and increase the number of blooms. The best time for pruning is when the plant is still dormant but just about to break into new growth.
CleaningAs needed
SoilThe Moss Rose 'Ballerina' thrives in a well-drained, loamy soil mix enriched with organic matter such as compost and peat moss. The ideal soil pH for this plant should be between 6.0 and 6.5 to ensure healthy growth and blooming.
RepottingMoss Roses like 'Ballerina' do not typically require frequent repotting; they should be repotted every 2 to 3 years, or when they outgrow their current container, to maintain health and vigor.
Humidity & Misting'Ballerina' Moss Rose prefers average garden humidity levels. It can tolerate a range, but excessive humidity should be avoided to minimize disease risk.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Ensure bright light, ample airflow, and moderate watering for indoor Moss Roses.
Outdoor
Moss Roses need full sun, well-drained soil, and regular watering outdoors.
Hardiness zone
5-9 USDA
Life cycleRosa 'Ballerina', also known as the Ballerina rose, begins its life as a seed or more commonly from a grafted cutting. After planting, the cutting develops roots and shoots, entering a growth phase where foliage and stems extend, while the root system strengthens. During spring and early summer, buds form and then bloom into the characteristic small, pink to white flowers with a semi-double form in clusters. After pollination, some flowers may develop into rose hips (seed pods) if not deadheaded. In the fall, the plant enters a period of dormancy where growth slows down and it prepares for winter by shedding leaves. The cycle repeats each spring, with pruning taking place in late winter to maintain health and encourage new growth for the season ahead.
PropogationPropogation time
Late winter-early spring
Rosa 'Ballerina', commonly known as the 'Ballerina' Rose, can be propagated through various techniques, but the most popular method is by softwood cuttings. This method typically happens in late spring or early summer when new growth is still flexible but maturing. To propagate, a gardener would cut a healthy piece of stem about 6 inches (15 cm) long, making sure it has several leaves, and remove the bottom set of leaves to expose the nodes. The cut end is often dipped in rooting hormone to encourage root development and then placed in a well-draining soil mix. It's important to keep the cutting moist and in a warm environment with indirect light. Roots usually develop in 4 to 8 weeks, after which the new plantlet can be gradually acclimatized to outside conditions before planting out.
