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Rose Profile

Mutabilis

Color: Pink, Red Class: China, Shrub Introduced: 1934 Best Zones: 7-10 Bloom Form: Single Repeat Bloom: Yes Shade Tolerant: Yes

This China Rose is referred to as "The Butterfly Rose" because it looks like a bunch of butterflies have landed on it all at once. This is due to the changing hues of the…

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Photo courtesy of Petals from the Past Photo source

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3 Gardens
1 Wishlists

At-a-Glance Profile

Garden Personality

A quick portrait of how this rose grows, blooms, and earns its place in a home garden.

China, Shrub Pink, Red Mild, yes Spreading
Breeder
Unknown
Seller
Antique Rose Emporium, High Country Roses, Petals from the Past, Rogue Valley Roses, Roses Unlimited, Heirloom Roses
Introduced
1934
Best Zones
7-10
4-10 Height
3-6 Width
3 in Bloom Size
4-8 Petals

Bloom Style

How It Shows Up in the Garden

Bloom Form
Single
Fragrance
Mild, yes
Growth Habit
Spreading
Repeat Bloom
Yes

Garden Fit

Where It Is Most Comfortable

Shade Tolerance
Yes
Rose Class
China, Shrub
Color Family
Pink, Red

Background

Breeding and Source Notes

Seller Signals
Antique Rose Emporium, High Country Roses, Petals from the Past

Where to Look Next

Rose Market

Start here if you are trying to buy this rose. This table is set up for quick scanning so you can compare seller listings, pricing, and current offers in one place.

Seller Listing Price Offers Link
Petals from the Past
Rose ‘Mutabilis’ In stock
$21.95
 —
Antique Rose Emporium
Default Title
$39.95
Discount Code 15% off 2+ roses • ROSEGEEK
High Country Roses
Mutabilis Out of stock
Out of stock
Discount Code 20% • ROSEGEEK
ARS Offer 15% • Online code is in your membership book.
Out of Stock
Rogue Valley Roses
Mutablis (R. Chinensis Mutablis) In stock
$28.95
ARS Offer 10% • Only available with phone orders.
Roses Unlimited
Mutabilis Out of stock
Out of stock
 —
Out of Stock
Heirloom Roses
Default Title
$53.00
Discount Code 20% • ROSELADY26

Members can follow preferred sellers and get stock alerts.

What Growers Notice

Notes, Photos, and Shared Experience

Read the overview first, then look through shared photos and real grower notes to get a better feel for how this rose behaves.

Overview

This China Rose is referred to as "The Butterfly Rose" because it looks like a bunch of butterflies have landed on it all at once. This is due to the changing hues of the blooms as they age. They open yellow, turn to pink and then crimson. They have a long, virtually disease-free flowering period as it carries the coveted "Earthkind" label. He normally makes a large, spreading bush but can go up to the eaves on a house wall in time! 'Mutabilis' was probably first introduced to horticulture in 1934 by Swiss botanist Henri Correvon of Geneva, who obtained it from Prince Ghiberto Borromeo's garden at Isola Bella.

Catalog note: This rose record was merged with duplicate listings for Mutabilis (china, Unknown, before 1894) on May 27, 2026.

Catalog note: This rose record was merged with duplicate listings for The Butterfly Rose (Mutabalis) on July 27, 2026.

Current Notes

This China Rose is referred to as "The Butterfly Rose" because it looks like a bunch of butterflies have landed on it all at once. This is due to the changing hues of the blooms as they age. They open yellow, turn to pink and then crimson. They have a long, virtually disease-free flowering period as it carries the coveted "Earthkind" label. He normally makes a large, spreading bush but can go up to the eaves on a house wall in time! 'Mutabilis' was probably first introduced to horticulture in 1934 by Swiss botanist Henri Correvon of Geneva, who obtained it from Prince Ghiberto Borromeo's garden at Isola Bella.

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