Christiana plants are relatively short, about 70 cm in height with a spread of around 40 cm. The flowers are also small, about 5 cm in diameter, but they bloom in clusters and in abundance, making them perfect for potted cultivation or as a focal point in garden beds.
The plant height can vary from 1.2 to 2.5 meters depending on the environment. In the central and southern regions of China (e.g., Changsha), the average height is around 1.8 meters. Initially, the growth is slow, but after a few years, it experiences a growth spurt. The flowers are pale pink with cream-colored outer petals, measuring 7-8 cm in diameter, and have 85-95 petals. They exude a strong mixed fragrance of apple, lemon, rose, and sweet scents.
Christiana blooms year-round with ethereal flowers. However, the petals are soft, and the outer ones can scorch in hot weather, causing slight browning at the edges, which is a minor flaw. Gardeners familiar with this variety will know that Christiana's flowers naturally drop off after blooming, indicating excellent self-cleaning properties and reducing the risk of mold from spent blooms. This self-cleaning nature is one of the reasons I recommend this variety.
Christiana can be trained as either a climber or a shrub. Gardeners, especially in Japan, often grow it as a climber to create flower walls or columns. If cultivated as a shrub, regular pruning is essential, particularly a hard prune in winter.
