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.

Flower Carpet ® RED planted out at Ladera Ranch in CA. Used as the feature plant of this estate because of its continual flowering habit, over 100,000 have been used in these plantings.

Flower Carpet ® RED

Introduction

Flower Carpet® RED is a tough, high-performance groundcover rose, one of the series of Flower Carpet groundcover roses introduced by Anthony Tesselaar International that can bloom up to 10 months of the year.

Flower Carpet RED features velvety deep-red flowers accented by brilliant golden yellow stamens that bloom in clusters of 25 to 30 blossoms. Throughout the season, it continues to look fresh with its glossy dark green, burgundy-edged leaves unmarred by spent blossoms. The petals of Flower Carpet RED fall cleanly away once flowers have bloomed and faded.

A true easy-care groundcover rose, both home gardeners and professional landscapers will find Flower Carpet RED is simple to grow and easy to maintain. Flower Carpet groundcover 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.

Flower Carpet RED has superlative disease-resistance to common rose blights such as black spot and mildew. It does not require routine chemical spraying and dusting. Flower Carpet RED was developed over a 25-year period by Noack Rosen, the German rose-breeders known for their early commitment to disease-resistant hybrids.

Key Features

Masses of deep-red blooms
Glossy burgundy edged, deep green foliage
Disease-resistance, easy-care maintenance
Can bloom up to 10 months of the year

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 2 inches across).

Spacing

Plant 2-3 per square yard, for ground cover. Plant 3-4 feet apart to establish boundaries.

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

Once established, will bloom from late Spring through Fall. Flower lifespan is 3-4 days.

Number Of Flowers

Blooms positioned throughout the leaf canopy, in clusters of 25 to 30 blooms. In full sun, a well-fed, well-watered, mature bush can produce up to 2,000 flowers per season. With only 4-5 hours of sun per day, will still bloom but in reduced numbers.

Flower Color

Deep-red with a velvety look, softens in color as it ages.

Fragrance

Not fragrant.

Foliage

Dark glossy green with burgundy edges, 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

Rosa var. ‘Ricarda’ x seedling (unnamed).