Groundcover Rose Care Must-Knows
Like all roses, groundcover roses perform best in full sun. However, because of their disease resistance, these plants can perform well in partial shade. Although plants may not bloom quite as prolifically, there is less risk of disease in part shade than with other types of roses. Groundcover roses also prefer rich, well-drained soils. Amend the soil with organic matter to keep your plants looking their best. Water roses thoroughly after planting to help them establish. Do this at the base of the plant: Avoid overhead watering to prevent potential disease problems. Once established, groundcover roses need little maintenance. Unlike other rose varieties, deadheading groundcover types is not necessary. These are such tough plants that they will continue to bloom even without removing old blooms. However, cutting back roses about two-thirds of the way in late winter or early spring before new growth appears is essential. Doing so will help create dense, full plants with numerous blooms. Another thing to keep in mind is that because these rose plants are not as dense as a typical groundcover, they don’t function to prevent weed growth like regular mat-forming perennials do. So it is a good idea to mulch underneath these roses to reduce any potential weed problems.
New Innovations
Groundcover roses are a relatively recent addition to the rose world. As such, there is much ground to cover (no pun intended), especially when it comes to characteristics like bloom color and, in some series, height. One attribute lacking in groundcover roses is fragrance. Few of the current varieties offer fragrant blooms, and when they do, they are lightly scented.
More Varieties of Groundcover Rose
‘Flower Carpet Amber’ Rose
Rosa ‘Flower Carpet Amber’ produces fragrant, golden-apricot flowers over glossy, dark green foliage. The lush foliage is quite disease resistant. It grows 2-1/2 feet tall and 4 feet wide. Zones 5-10
‘Flower Carpet Coral’ Rose
Rosa ‘Flower Carpet Coral’ features soft coral-pink single blooms that cover glossy dark green foliage in large clusters of 20 to 30 blooms. The lush foliage is impervious to disease. Plants grow up to 2-1/2 feet tall and 4 feet wide. Zones 5-10
‘Flower Carpet Pink’ Rose
Rosa ‘Flower Carpet Pink’ blooms prolifically for five or more months. The pink blooms with white centers develop in clusters 6 to 8 inches across, with as many as 18 flowers in each. Plants grow up to 3 feet tall and 4 feet across. Zones 5-10
‘Flower Carpet Pink Supreme’ Rose
Rosa ‘Flower Carpet Pink Supreme’ produces hot-pink blooms all summer and fall on a low-growing, disease-resistant plant. It grows 3 feet tall and wide. Zones 4-10
‘Flower Carpet Red’ Rose
Rosa ‘Flower Carpet Red’ bursts forth with masses of rich red flowers from late spring to late summer. It grows 3 feet tall and 4 feet wide. Zones 5-10
‘Flower Carpet Scarlet’ Rose
Rosa ‘Flower Carpet Scarlet’ bears loads of scarlet semidouble blooms that develop in clusters on a vigorous plant. The glossy, dark green foliage is impervious to disease. Plants grow up to 3 feet tall and 4 feet wide. Zones 5-10
