Ground Cover Roses
The last ten years or so has seen a dramatic change in the kind of new roses we see introduced each year. In the past, new roses were almost always hybrid teas, those long-stemmed beauties that make such wonderful cut flowers but are not the most rugged, trouble-free plants. Today, the emphasis is on landscape roses, shrubs that bloom continuously, have good disease resistance and fit neatly into traditional landscape roles like hedges, edgings and even ground covers. Yes ground covers. Many spreading roses are becoming increasing popular as alternatives to spreading junipers, barberries and even lawns. The reason why is obvious -ground cover roses produce masses of brilliant color and are relatively easy to care for.
With fall planting season in full swing and bare-root rose season just around the corner, let's take a look at rose varieties that can be used as ground covers. Choose carefully, some of these plants are very vigorous and are best used on slopes or towards the back of the garden. Others are more restrained and better suited to small spaces.
'Baby Blanket' bears beautiful double, pink flowers with a delicate fragrance. It grows 3 feet high and 5 feet wide and can be used in more confined areas.
'Magic Carpet' has light pink, semi-double blooms that fade to lavender. It grows about 1-1/2 feet high and up to five feet wide. A good choice for fronting perennials or in smaller areas.
Flower Carpet roses. A series of spreading, shrub roses with white, pink or red flowers. 'Flower Carpet Red' is one of the best, growing about 2 feet high and 3 to 4 feet wide.
Meidiland roses. This is a series of shrub roses from France, which includes a number vigorous ground covers. Look for 'White Meidiland' which grows about a foot high and spreads up to 5 feet with double, white flowers. 'Red Meidiland' has a similar habit but generously produces single red flowers with white centers. 'Scarlet Meidiland' has small, double, cherry red flowers on a taller plant, reaching 3 feet high and 6 feet wide.
'Ralph's Creeper' has semi-double, orange-red blooms with a yellow eye and yellow or white reverse. It's a vigorous plant, growing 30 inches high and 5 feet wide.
Besides these excellent varieties, some more upright roses including 'The Fairy' (pink), 'Nearly Wild' (bright pink and white), and 'Knock Out' (glowing red) can be planted en masse to cover a large area. Some climbers, such as 'Red Cascade' and 'New Dawn' (pink), can also be used as ground covers.
Planting and Care of Ground Cover Roses
Space plants 3 to 4 feet apart for solid cover. Most ground cover plants are grown on their own roots and are very winter hardy. Pruning isn't usually necessary, but a light trimming will keep plants dense, free blooming and within bounds. Fertilize several times during summer and water during dry periods.
If insects such as aphids, beetles or mites become troublesome, Bayer Advanced Garden offers several control options. Bayer Advanced™ Dual Action Rose & Flower Insect Killer Ready-To-Spray kills on contact and remains effective for up to 30 days. Bayer Advanced™ Tree & Shrub Insect Control Concentrate provides up to 12 months of systemic insect control and is easy to apply to rose roots.
Read and follow label instructions exactly, making sure the insect pest to be controlled is listed.
Products Mentioned In This Article
Bayer Advanced
