Four varieties of the species are recognized in the Flora of China:[2] The cultivar R. odorata 'Mutabilis' is widely cultivated, and is notable for the fact that the blooms change colour from yellow to pink.

Growing to 1.5 m (4.9 ft) tall and broad, it is a lax, thornless shrub.

It prefers an open position in full sun.

This cultivar has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

[3] Other cultivar names include 'Bengal Crimson'[4][5] and Bengal Beauty.