Call us: 0800 843 752Free shipping for orders $150 or over
Gift Vouchers

mutabilis rose bush

The mutabilis rose bush, often called the “Butterfly Rose,” is a celebrated favourite among New Zealand gardeners for its ever-changing blooms and robust nature. Famous for its delicate, single-petal flowers that transform colour from soft yellow to blush pink and finally deep crimson, the mutabilis rose bush is truly a living tapestry throughout the season. This old-fashioned China rose is as charming as it is hardy, loved for its continuous flowering, subtle fragrance, and carefree growth. Whether planted as a specimen shrub or in a mixed border, the mutabilis rose bush brings dynamic colour and a relaxed, cottage-style feel to any outdoor space.

An exquisite flower on 'White Romance' Rose.

Rose White Romance

5 from 1 customers

Rose 'White Romance' is an elegant garden rose with beautiful white flowers that bring a fresh timeless look to NZ gardens. Its neat bushy habit and repeat flowering performance make it a versatile choice for rose beds, mixed borders, and patio planting.

From $38.57

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Rose Plants
Height: 1.00 m
Spread: 1.00 m
Flowering time: Spring, Summer, Autumn
Garden uses: Borders, Living areas, Paths & Steps
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, White
rose-ann-turner-climbing-

Rose Ann Turner

Rose 'Ann Turner' is a beautiful garden rose that brings elegant flowers, a tidy bushy habit, and repeat seasonal interest to NZ gardens. It is a versatile choice for rose beds, mixed borders, and patio planting, where the blooms create a refined focal point through the warmer months.

From $30.29

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Rose Plants
Height: 2.00 m
Spread: 2.00 m
Flowering time: Spring, Summer, Autumn
Garden uses: Living areas
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern
super-shield-rose-spray-1
Rose Spray

Super Shield Rose Spray is a multipurpose treatment for controlling common pests and diseases that affect roses. It targets problems including...

From$156.96
Elegant orange flower on Rose 'Tequila Sunrise'
Rose 'Tequila Sunrise'

Rose 'Tequila Sunrise' is a dazzling floribunda rose admired for its brilliant yellow petals edged boldly in red, creating a fiery sunrise effect...

From$44.09
Rose 'Violet Serenity' flowers amidst dark green foliage.
Rose 'Violet Serenity'

Rose 'Violet Serenity' is an elegant flowering rose prized for its violet toned blooms, healthy foliage, and long flowering season. The flowers are...

From$35.81
An informal hedge of 'Iceberg' rose plants with masses of white flowers.
iceberg-roses iceberg-roses

Rosa ‘Iceberg’, one of the world’s most popular roses, is a reliable floribunda variety producing masses of pure white, lightly fragrant blooms from...

From$38.57
Rose 'Flower Carpet Red' ground cover with masses of red flowers.
Rose 'Flower Carpet Red'

Rose 'Flower Carpet Red' is a popular ground cover rose valued for its rich red flowers and outstanding disease resistance. This tough rose performs...

From$34.43
Rose 'Flower Carpet Scarlet' plants with red flowers above lush, green foliage.
Rose 'Flower Carpet Scarlet'

Rose 'Flower Carpet Scarlet' is a low growing ground cover rose that produces a bold display of scarlet red flowers over a long season. Its spreading...

From$33.81
Rose 'Flower Carpet White' plants for sale at The Plant Company nursery.
Rose 'Flower Carpet White'

Rose 'Flower Carpet White' is a popular ground cover rose valued for its masses of pure white flowers and exceptional disease resistance. This tough...

From$26.91
White flowers on a Cistus 'Snowmound' plant with green foliage.
Cistus 'Snowmound' (White Rock Rose Plant)

Cistus ‘Snowmound’ is a compact evergreen shrub that produces a breathtaking display of pure white flowers with golden-yellow centres from late...

From$24.77
helleborus-english-thoroughbred-
Helleborus 'English Thoroughbred Series' (Winter Rose)

Helleborus 'English Thoroughbred' is a premium evergreen perennial valued for its elegant winter and early spring flowers and attractive year round...

From$22.95
climbing-rose-cecil-brunner-1
Rose Cecil Brunner

Rose 'Cecil Brunner' is a treasured old fashioned climbing rose, admired for its sprays of small, perfectly shaped soft pink flowers and delicate...

From$30.29
A Teucrium fruticans rounded shrub with grey foliage and blue flowers.
Teucrium fruticans

Teucrium fruticans (Bush Germander) is a hardy evergreen shrub admired for its attractive silvery foliage and soft blue flowers that appear through...

From$18.95
Rose 'Flower Carpet Mini Cherry' plant with masses of red flowers growing in a pot on a patio.
Rose 'Flower Carpet Mini Cherry'

Rose 'Flower Carpet Mini Cherry' is a compact ground cover rose valued for its masses of vibrant cherry red flowers and exceptional disease...

From$34.43
Rose 'Flower Carpet Pink' stunning pink flowers.
Rose Flower Carpet Pink

Rose 'Flower Carpet Pink' is a low growing ground cover rose loved for its masses of clear pink flowers, spreading habit, and dependable garden...

From$34.43
rose-flower-carpet-gold--1
Rose Flower Carpet Gold

Rose 'Flower Carpet Gold' is a low growing ground cover rose that delivers a bright display of golden yellow blooms across a long flowering season...

From$34.43
Dodonaea viscosa purpurea shrub with colourful, purple foliage growing an an informal hedge.
Dodonaea viscosa purpurea (Purple Hop Bush)

Dodonaea viscosa purpurea, commonly known as Purple Ake Ake, features lush, purple leaves which are held densely off upright stems. The foliage is...

From$99.95
rose-fertiliser-
Rose Fertiliser

Roses respond exceptionally well to rose fertiliser with better quality flowers and foliage, stronger stems, and a much healthier and brighter...

From$16.95
weigela-wine-and-roses-2
Weigela 'Wine And Roses'

Weigela 'Wine and Roses' is a striking deciduous shrub renowned for its rich burgundy purple foliage and masses of vibrant rosy pink trumpet shaped...

From$25.53
Large Muehlenbeckia astonii shrub in a garden.
Muehlenbeckia astonii (Mingimingi)

Muehlenbeckia astonii, commonly known as the Wiggy Wig Bush or Shrubby Tororaro, is a distinctive New Zealand native shrub characterised by its...

From$20.63
Helleborus orientalis with colourful pink flowers.
Helleborus orientalis (Lenten Rose)

Helleborus orientalis, commonly known as Lenten Rose, is a hardy perennial prized for its elegant winter and early spring blooms. Flowers appear in...

From$22.95
A large cabbage tree growing on a ridge.
Rose 'Lavender Jewel'

Rose 'Lavender Jewel' is a stunning hybrid tea rose admired for its exquisite lavender blooms and strong, sweet fragrance. Each perfectly formed...

From$30.29
Rosa banksiae 'Lutea' growing on a pergola and featuring masses of stunning yellow flowers.
Rosa banksiae 'Lutea' (Banksia Rose)

Rosa banksiae 'Lutea' (Yellow Banksia Rose) is a stunning climbing rose admired for its masses of soft yellow double flowers produced in spring. This...

From$30.29
camellia-japonica-red-red-rose-3
Camellia 'Red Red Rose'

Camellia 'Red Red Rose' is a striking evergreen shrub known for its rich red blooms that bring bold colour and elegance to New Zealand gardens...

From$34.95
Rosa banksiae 'Alba' growing on a pergola and featuring masses of stunning white flowers.
Rosa banksiae 'Alba' (Banksia Rose)

Rosa banksiae 'Alba' (White Banksia Rose) is a spectacular climbing rose prized for its masses of small pure white flowers produced in spring. This...

From$30.29
Buddleia fallowiana 'Lochinch' purple flower cluster amidst lush grey foliage.
Buddleia 'Lochinch'

Buddleia ‘Lochinch’ (Butterfly Bush) is a fast growing deciduous shrub admired for its long sprays of soft lavender blue flowers and silvery green...

From$26.15
iris-rose-queen-
Iris 'Rose Queen'

Iris 'Rose Queen' is a beautiful flowering iris that brings graceful form and lovely seasonal colour to NZ gardens. Its distinctive blooms rise above...

From$27.53
rose-mutabilis-2
Rose Mutabilis

'Mutabilis' Rose is a remarkable heritage rose celebrated for its ever changing flower colours and graceful growth habit. The single blooms open in...

OUT OF STOCK
standard-rose-mutabilis-3
Rose Mutabilis Standard

Rose 'Mutabilis' Standard is an elegant standard rose prized for its ever changing flower colour, refined form, and long flowering season. The blooms...

OUT OF STOCK
Rose 'Serendipity' yellow flower with buds.
Rose Serendipity

Rose 'Serendipity' is a beautiful garden rose that brings elegant flowers, a tidy bushy habit, and repeat seasonal interest to NZ gardens. It is a...

OUT OF STOCK
Rose 'Blue Sky' flower.
Rose Blue Sky

Rose 'Blue Sky' is an elegant modern rose known for its soft lavender blue blooms and appealing fragrance. This attractive variety performs well in...

OUT OF STOCK
rose-big-purple-
Rose Big Purple

Rose 'Big Purple' is a stunning hybrid tea rose known for its large, richly coloured purple blooms and strong fragrance. This popular variety...

OUT OF STOCK
Rose White Romance

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Cistus, iceberg-roses, and Rose, or related Categories - Fungicides, Bush Roses, and Carpet Roses.

Search mutabilis rose bush

Why Choose the Mutabilis Rose Bush

Gardeners seeking beauty without fuss will find the mutabilis rose bush a perfect match. Its arching stems can reach up to two metres, making it an ideal backdrop for smaller perennials and annuals. The bush copes well with New Zealand’s diverse climates and is valued for its tolerance to humidity, drought, and the occasional neglect. Flowering prolifically from spring until late autumn, the mutabilis rose bush draws in bees and butterflies, promoting pollinator-friendly gardening. Its resistance to common rose diseases also means less spraying and more enjoyment throughout the year.

Planting and Caring for the Mutabilis Rose Bush

Plant your mutabilis rose bush in a sunny position with well-drained soil. It thrives with at least six hours of sunlight daily and benefits from regular mulching and feeding in spring. Pruning is straightforward—simply shape the bush and remove old or damaged wood after flowering. Mutabilis’s ability to flower on new growth makes it forgiving for novices and a repeat choice for seasoned rosarians.

Inspiring Plant Combinations

The mutabilis rose bush partners beautifully with other roses and contrasting shrubs. For a truly captivating display, consider pairing it with the vibrant Rose Diamonds Forever for a modern, jewel-toned effect, or with Rose Simplicity Violet Serenity for a subtle mix of pastel hues. For groundcover, try the prolific Rose Flower Carpet Pink, which complements mutabilis’s airy form. Interested in attracting more pollinators and adding late-summer colour? The dark-leaved Weigela Wine And Roses (Wine & Roses Weigela) creates a wonderful contrast with the mutabilis’ fluttering blooms. For a unique, modern pairing, add Rose Ginger Kisses for a cheerful boost of apricot and coral.

The Mutabilis Rose Bush in the New Zealand Garden

The mutabilis rose bush has earned a dedicated following across New Zealand for its unique colour-changing flowers and easy-going growth habit. Whether planted as a hedge, in large containers, or allowed to arch informally over a fence, its versatility is unmatched. This heritage rose’s combination of reliable performance and breathtaking beauty ensures that it remains a staple for rose lovers seeking year-round colour and effortless elegance. Bring a touch of living history and ever-changing beauty to your garden with a mutabilis rose bush.

Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

Illustration of plant leaves.
Sure, Griselinia 'Broadway Mint' and Griselinia 'Canterbury' are crowd-pleasers, but Sophora 'Goldie's Mantle', Alnus jorullensis, and Weigela 'Wine And Roses' are quietly making a name for themselves.
–The Plant Company

Explore Garden Inspiration

Sign up to receive a free $10 Voucher You won’t be bombarded with emails, just titbits of quality information from time to time Sign up
Free shipping on orders over $150!

Join our community of happy customers.

4.8

466 Google reviews