Fact Sheet

We all know that plants are dynamic, living things, and because we understand so much about our own plants (we carry out trials around the world) we appreciate the subtle differences regarding their growth and habit.

Which is why it’s worthwhile visiting the section of our site which gives you local information – which plants are available; when it’s best to plant, prune and feed them; tips and so on. It’s all here to help you enjoy them more.

Introduction

Flower Carpet® APPLEBLOSSOM is a tough, high-performance pastel pink groundcover rose, one of the series of Flower Carpet groundcover roses introduced by Anthony Tesselaar International.

Flower Carpet APPLEBLOSSOM is a sport of Flower Carpet PINK and has inherited that award-winning rose’s unprecedented levels of natural disease-resistance. Flower Carpet roses were developed by Noack Rosen, the German rose breeders known for their early commitment to disease-resistant hybrids.

Both home gardeners and professional landscapers will find Flower Carpet APPLEBLOSSOM a true easy-care groundcover rose, simple to grow and easy to maintain. Flower Carpet® roses are “self-cleaning” and require no fancy pruning or deadheading, simply trim to shape anytime of year. To invigorate blooming, cut back to 10-inches once annually in late winter or early spring. Maximum flowering and performance can be achieved by feeding with a timed-release rose food high in potash.

Key Features

Masses of pastel pink blooms in clusters
Glossy green foliage
Attractive bush shape and appearance
Bright, vivid presence in the landscape or garden
Easy-care and disease-resistance

Suggested Uses

Use in flowerbeds, mass plantings, large containers and as tree roses. A perfect commercial landscaping plant for low-maintenance color.

Growth Habit

Bushes are low, dense and compact.

Growth Pattern

To invigorate blooming once plants are established, cut canes back to 10-inches annually in late winter or early spring.

Plant Size

24- to 32-inches in height, 40-inches across (spread).

Flower Size

Medium-sized (about 1 ½ inches across).

Spacing

Plant 2-3 per square yard, for ground cover. Plant 3-4 feet apart to establish boundaries. Can be planted anytime during Spring, Summer or Fall.

Hardiness

Will thrive in USDA zones 5 to 10. In cold zones, protect over the first winter. In zones 5 and below, continued winter protection is advised. In areas of intense heat (for example Phoenix, AZ), protect by planting in semi-shade.

Flowering Period

Produces masses of flowers all season long in full sun. In partial shade (4 - 5 hours of sun per day), still blooms, though in reduced numbers. Performs satisfactorily with a full day of filtered light. Bloom season will vary according to climate as follows: • up to 10 months in USDA zones 9 and above • from 5 to 8 months in USDA zones 6 – 8 • up to 5 months in USDA zone 5

Number Of Flowers

Blooms in clusters 6-8-inches across, with approximately 18 flowers per cluster. In full sun, a well-fed, well-watered, mature bush can produce up to 2,000 flowers per season.

Flower Color

Soft pastel pink, opening as a deeper pink and softening in hue with maturity.

Fragrance

Not fragrant.

Foliage

Dark glossy green, medium sized leaves. Can remain evergreen in USDA zones 8b and above.

Pruning/Pinching

No fancy pruning needed. Cut back by ⅔ annually in late winter or early spring. Trim to shape anytime of year, if desired. The bush is self-cleaning with few rose hips, no dead-heading required, petals fall away cleanly.

Light Needs

For best bloom, grow in full sun. Grows well in partial shade (4 - 5 hours of sun per day) with reduced blooms.

Soil Needs

Can thrive in a variety of soil conditions. Performs best in well-drained friable garden soil with added organic matter.

Water Needs

When planting in the landscape, water in well particularly during hot conditions and continue to water regularly until the plant is established. Flower Carpet roses are very tolerant of dry conditions once established.

Fertilizer

For maximum flowering and performance, feed with a balanced rose food. It is best not to feed roses in fall and winter as extra nutrients then will force new growth and increase the chances of cold-damage over winter. In warm climates (USDA zones 8 and up): feed in early spring and late summer. In cold climates (USDA zones 5 – 7): feed in spring and summer.

Disease Tolerance

Very resistant to common rose blights such as black spot and mildew. It does not require routine chemical spraying and dusting, apply only if needed.

Pest Issues

Treat for insect pests only as needed.

Special Care

In zones 5 and below winter protection is advised, especially in first winter.

Parentage

Sport of five-time international gold medal-winner Flower Carpet Pink (var. ‘Noatraum’). Parentage is Rosa var. ‘Immensee’ x R. var. ‘Amanda’.