Commercially available

• Astra (miniature, Benardella, 1995)
• Little Star Rose
• Soroptimist International
• The Soroptimist Rose

49 favorite votes.  
Average rating: EXCELLENT-.  

Pink blend Miniature.
Registration name: BENstar
Exhibition name: Soroptimist International

Bred by Frank A. Benardella (United States, 1995).
Introduced in New Zealand by Bell Roses Ltd. in 1994 as 'Astra'.

Mini-Flora, Miniature, Patio.  

Pink blend.  Fflowers shrimp pink and ivory.  None to mild fragrance.  41 petals.  Average diameter 1.5".  Large, full (26-40 petals), borne mostly solitary, cluster-flowered, in small clusters, high-centered, quilled bloom form.  Blooms in flushes throughout the season.  

Tall, bushy, upright.  Large, glossy, dark green foliage.  

Height: 2' to 3' (60 to 90cm).  

USDA zone 5b through 10b.  Can be used for beds and borders, container rose, cut flower or garden.  Shade tolerant.  Spring Pruning: Remove old canes and dead or diseased wood and cut back canes that cross. In warmer climates, cut back the remaining canes by about one-third. In colder areas, you'll probably find you'll have to prune a little more than that.  

The flowers of this miniature variety are swirled with shades of peach, orange & yellow. Displays a mild fragrance and will bloom in flushes throughout the season.

Frank Benardella says the name of this rose was changed to "Little Star Rose" by Ludwig. Although it is listed as a Miniature, it is actually a Mini Flora. For more information, see the References.