Great Ground Cover Roses
Roses have been voted the nation’s favourite flower and I can see why; they have beautiful, often fragrant, flowers that come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. The plants too offer a range of height, spread and habit, from lofty ramblers and classic climbers to stand alone stars like shrub and standard roses. However, I think roses are often overlooked as a ground cover plants.
In my garden, there are standard roses with long stems that hold the foliage and flowers high above the ground. Additionally, I have installed a long rose arch tunnel from Direct Plants, use the code LIZ10 at the checkout for 10% discount. I chose climbers to scramble up and over the frame and shrub roses to fill the spaces between climbers. It was only as an afterthought that I looked at groundcover roses to add to the mix. I do, however, have ground cover roses elsewhere in the garden.
Groundcover roses tend to be procumbent, meaning that they grow along the ground without putting out roots. They often spread wider than they are high, but you could use any low-growing rose, like patio roses to provide good ground cover in your garden. Many have little or no fragrance, but I think they make up for this in the sheer volume of flowers produced on each stem.
Here are some easy-to-grow, floriferous ground cover roses.
Rosa ‘Sweet Haze’
This compact floribunda rose was Rose of the Year in 2008. It has clusters of pink flowers with petals that fade to white towards the centre, surrounding golden stamens. The single flowers are highly attractive to pollinators, thus making this an excellent groundcover rose to plant to help support wildlife in your garden. Height and spread around 70cm. ‘Sweet Haze’ flowers from June to September and thrives best in full sun in a south or west facing position.
Rosa ‘Sweet Dream’
I bought this repeat flowering patio rose to use for use as ground cover in a peachy-apricot colour scheme. It grows to 50cm height and 35cm spread. Although the growth habit is upright, rather than spreading, I think it earns its place in the garden and it’s not just me that thinks so, it was Rose of the Year in 1988. ‘Sweet Dream’ produces masses of cupped shape, full double, scented flowers that open over a long period.
Rosa ‘Pink Bells’
Glossy, dark green leaves contrast nicely with mid to dark pink flowers are carried in clusters. ‘Pink Bells’ grows to 60cm height and 120cm spread. The flowers have little or no fragrance, but it does make a great display of masses of flowers. This ground cover rose flowers from June to November and has good disease-resistance. Best grown in full sun, but it will tolerate partial shade. I think this would make a great, low-growing hedge.
Rosa ‘Barakura’
I had this rose in the front garden of my previous home and I think it was Rosa ‘Barakura’ with the distinct colour change between a newly opened flower and the more mature flowers. I grew it next to a low lavender hedge and the colours worked well together.
The double flowers are borne in clusters and have very little fragrance. Buds and newly opened flowers are pink and they fade to white as the flower matures. It flowers from June to November. 60cm height and 120cm spread. For best results, grow in full sun, in a sheltered position.
Rosa ‘Sea Foam’
The young stems of ‘Sea Foam’ have a red tone, providing additional interest and contrasting nicely with the glossy dark green leaves and white to creamy-white double flowers. This plant has vigorous growth with a trailing habit, reaching 100cm height and 150cm spread. It is repeat flowering from June to September and has the bonus of fragrant flowers. Grow in full sun and it prefers a sheltered position.
Rosa ‘Golden Memories’
Rose of the year 2004 was this attractive ground cover rose. ‘Golden Memories’ rose bears small, double golden yellow flowers in large trusses. The plant grows 45cm height and spread, making it ideal for front of the border. I am growing it in a shrubbery, because it provides a bright and cheery statement at the front of the border. It is tolerant of poorer soils. The flowers have little or no fragrance and the flowering period is from June to November.
Rosa ‘Flower Carpet Coral’
For an extra-long period of interest, ‘Flower Carpet Coral’ is one to look for. It produces arching stems with semi-evergreen and glossy leaves. From late spring to autumn, it has clusters of single flowers, making them easy to access for pollinators. The coral pink petals are paler towards the centre of the flower with golden stamens. 100cm height and spread. Grow in full sun on all but north facing sites.
Rosa ‘Flower Carpet Red Velvet’
Here’s another in the Flower Carpet range. The rich red flowers with bright yellow stamens stand out against the dark green leaves of this deciduous ground cover rose. Each semi-double flower is 6cm across. Flowers have little to no fragrance, but are prolific. Flowers appear in bunches along the stems from June to November. This rose grows 60cm height and 70cm spread.
Rosa rugosa
Although Rosa rugosa can grow to 150cm tall or more, you can cut back hard, almost to the ground, each year during the dormant period to reduce the number of tall woody stems. This promotes plenty of fresh green growth each year. Growth can be dense and block the light from reaching the soil, thus preventing weed seeds germinating.
Their large colourful seed pods or rose hips can be used to make a variety of dishes, like rose hip syrup, wine or jelly. Top and tail each hip and remove the seeds before use.
How to care for ground cover roses
The great thing about most ground cover roses is that they take very little aftercare to produce a stunning display of flowers.
- Plant them carefully at the same level as they were in the pot or a little deeper. If buying bare root plants, you’ll see the soil level on the plant and ensure you plant at the same depth or slightly deeper.
- Ensure you water well after planting and water during dry spells in the first year or two.
- Feed the plants by mulching around them in spring with well-rotted manure or compost, and give a granular or liquid feed at the start of flowering. Use a high potash feed or a specialist rose feed.
- Deadheading will encourage more flowers, but isn’t strictly necessary as they usually produce an abundance of flowers.
- There is no need to prune them, but you can, which will encourage stronger growth and potentially, more flowers. Prune in middle of February to late March.
- To propagate, take hardwood cuttings of roses during the dormant period or semi-ripe cuttings in early autumn, where possible select non-flowering stems that are growing horizontally.
More information
The article about great ground cover roses was written for Amateur Gardening magazine in early winter 2024. However, I have updated some of the specific varieties and images. Additionally, links are included to help you find the suggested plants. You can also use spring flowering groundcover plants to reduce weed pressure in your garden.
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