Rosa 'Flower Carpet Scarlet'

A deciduous plant which is compact and bushy reaching around 50cm tall by 1m wide.

Small to medium sized scarlet red flowers are borne from spring throughout summer and into autumn. Dark glossy green medium sized leaves.

Performs best planted in full sun but will tolerate light shade but won't flower as well. Can thrive in a variety of soil conditions but performs best in well-drained friable garden soil with added organic matter. Tolerant of mild drought once established.

Always choose healthy well grown plants and plant after autumn rains. This ensures the plant can make good root growth before the following summer. Before planting ensure the root ball is saturated and remove the planter bag or pot with minimal root disturbance. Trim any broken roots and plant at the same level as in the container. Dig a hole twice the diameter of the root ball. Add in plenty of organic matter or compost to the hole. Place the plant in the hole but be careful not to plant too deep the bud union of the plant should always be above the surface so plant at the same depth as it was in the pot. Firm in and water once planted. Make sure plants are watered well until established if planting in a drier period. Plant with some general slow release fertiliser and then every spring apply an organic based fertiliser such as blood and bone at a handful per square metre as new growth begins.

Mulching helps to conserve soil moisture and suppress weeds but keep mulching material away from plant stems. Feed annually in spring with a balanced fertilizer such as blood and bone at a handful per square metre in spring as new growth begins. Make sure the plant gets ample water throughout dry periods. A good rule of thumb is to give your roses one deep watering each week in dry times this will ensure the roots look for water themselves. Check ties for chafing and constriction and loosen if required as the plant grows.

As for feeding your roses, most varieties will do very well with a single feeding in early spring when the leaves start to bud. Since Flower Carpet roses are repeat bloomers, you can feed them several times through the growing season to encourage additional blooms. Give a second feeding just as the first big bloom starts to develop and one more in the middle of the summer to promote later flushes. For maximum flowering and performance feed with a balanced (preferably organic), controlled release rose fertilizer which contains a balance of major nutrients (NPK) and trace elements. It is best not to feed roses in fall and winter as extra nutrients will force new growth and increase the chances of cold-damage over winter. For established landscape plants apply 1 to 2 handfuls around the base of the plant and incorporate into the soil by gentle surface cultivation.

Pruning should be carried out ideally through June and July while the plants are dormant. Pruning flower carpet roses is as easy as giving the plant a quick clip over with hedging shears. Take off approximately a third of the growth.

Take the opportunity to also rake up dead leaves and debris from around the base of the plant as these can lead to pests and diseases re-infecting your plant for the following season.

Attracts bees and butterflies.

Very tolerant of common rose blights such as black spot and mildew. One of the new Next Generation Flower Carpet roses with improved heat and humidity tolerance and disease resistance.

Rose Garden

This rose was a winner in 2006 at the All Deutschland Rose Trials winning top honours for winter hardiness, flower performance and above all resistance to black spot and mildew.