Mutabilis rose given a 3 for 1 value
BY JOE DANIEL SPECIAL CONTRIBUTOR

The mutabilis rose is a plant from yesterday, still blooming today and is expected to be a part of the future. The plant's three color blooms make it resemble a plant covered with butterflies. It is a large shrub and grows to be seven by seven feet.

"Three for one" a sign with those words at a ladies shoe store will raise an eyebrow and likely produce the words "girl, can I find a value" on a cell phone before the shopper even gets home. Many gardeners feel that the plants known as yesterday-today-and-tomorrow and mutabilis rose are three for one values. They are fun just for some of their common names. Yesterday-todayand tomorrow, botanically Brunfelsia pauciflora is also known by the common name Kiss-me-quick. Mutabilis, botanically is Rosa chinensis x Mutabilis is also known as butterfly rose.

Flower color is what makes these plants unique. In the course of a day or so, blooms will show three distinct colors. The yesterday-today-and-tomorrow has blooms that are about the size of a quarter. When the flowers first open they will be purple, then they change to lavender and finally white. When the mutabilis rose bloom opens it is a peach gold then it changes to a beautiful pink and finally a stunning crimson. They add interest and beauty to most any landscape.

These plants offer more than a unique flower. The mutabilis rose has been around since 1894. In the words of Dr. Steve George, noted Dallas Horticulturist, "it produces flushes of blooms from spring through fall, right through summer heat." It is said that the name butterfly rose comes from the fact that this plant is so often covered with three color blooms that it resembles a plant covered with butterflies. It becomes a vigorous large shrub. Expect a handsome seven foot by seven foot symmetrical specimen that never needs pruning. If mutabilis is planted in full sun, it can compete with all pests that come its way without need for pesticides. It not only has great insect and disease resistance but sharp thorns. This plant demands respect in many ways. In 2005 it was awarded the prestigious 'EarthKind Rose of the Year' honor. It is a China rose. This class of roses is known for their repeat blooming habit.

The yesterday-today-andtomorrow shrub is listed as semi deciduous reaching a height of six feet. At my house it has been deciduous for the last three years but that may have been because drought had already taken most of the leaves before winter came. Supplemental watering is beneficial when the plant is actively growing. It does best in partially shaded areas.

It is a member of the Solanaceae plant family and is reported to have toxic roots and fruit and to lesser degree leaves. This plant is native of Brazil and is seemingly pest free here. In the cooler part of summer blooms may last 3 days. Perhaps that leads to the yesterday-today-andtomorrow name. As to the Kiss-me-quick name, there is a good spring time research project for East Texas gardening enthusiasts.

Joe Daniel is Cherokee County Extension Service's horticulturist and can be reached at (903) 683-5416.