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Along with tall types of roses in landscape design, varieties with creeping shoots are also widely used, which are characterized by long and abundant flowering. Their use allows you to give any composition a sense of sophistication. Therefore, they have become an indispensable element for the most daring design decisions. Among these types of culture is the ground cover rose of Svani or Swani, as it is sometimes called. It has the ability to grow quickly and cover large areas of the flower bed, filling the free space.
Ground cover rose Svani does not require the formation of a bush
History of breeding
The ground cover rose Swany was bred in France in 1978. Its originator is the Meilland company. The founder of the nursery, Maria Louise Meilland, worked on the creation of this variety.
Svani is based on two evergreen roses: Rosa sempervirens and Rosa wichurana. The resulting variety was able to take only the best qualities from its ancestors. Thanks to this, Svani has become one of the most sought-after ground cover crop varieties.
Initially, this variety was given the intermediate name “MEIburena”, but already at the first exhibition it was presented under the current name. Since then, Svani has become the standard of ground cover roses, as in terms of its characteristics and decorativeness, it significantly exceeded all types known at that time.
Description and characteristics of the ground cover rose Svani
This variety is considered one of the most popular among ground cover types of roses, and this is no coincidence. The plant retains its decorative effect throughout the season and does not require complex care.
Ground cover rose Svani is a lush bush with numerous creeping shoots. The height of the plant reaches 50-60 cm, and the diameter varies from 1,50 to 2,0 m, depending on the growing conditions. The shrub forms long thin shoots that bend well, but they cannot be broken. They are densely leafy. The bark of the young shoots of the Svani rose is bright green, but as they age, it becomes dull and acquires a brownish-gray hue. Along the entire length of the branches are small spikes in the form of a rounded hook.
Young leaves are light green, but later they become darker and acquire a beautiful sheen. This greatly improves the decorativeness of the shrub. The leaves are alternate. They consist of 5-7 oblong-oval plates, which are attached to one common petiole. The length of each segment does not exceed 2,0-2,5 cm, and the width barely reaches 1,5 cm. The surface is smooth on both sides.
Svani rose blooms continuously throughout the season. This is achieved by constantly growing new shoots, on the tops of which buds are formed. The beginning of this period falls on the end of May or the first decade of June, depending on the growing region. The flowers of this ground cover rose are quite large, as for this species. Their diameter at full disclosure reaches 5-6 cm.
The shrub forms numerous round-pointed buds, which are collected in inflorescences-umbrellas on long stems. Each of them consists of 5-14 pieces, and in adult bushes their number can reach up to 20. Flowers consist of graceful, slightly curved petals. They have a pure white hue, but in the center of the flower there may be a soft pink color.
The flowers of the Svani rose are densely double, consisting of 40-50 petals.
The aroma of this variety is pleasant, floral, but mild. The smell intensifies a little only in the afternoon and evening hours.
The root system is mostly concentrated in the upper layers of the soil. It is branched and is located horizontally to the ground surface.
Ground cover rose Swany white has an average level of frost resistance. The shrub can withstand temperature drops ranging from -12 to -20 degrees. Since most of its inflorescences are formed on last year’s shoots, the plant needs mandatory shelter for the winter. It is not difficult to do this, since the Svani ground cover rose forms low bushes.
This variety of culture, under favorable conditions, practically does not suffer from fungal diseases. But in the case of prolonged rains and cool weather, the immunity of the plant is reduced. To avoid this, preventive spraying of the shrub with fungicides should be carried out.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
According to the description provided by the photos and reviews of gardeners, the Svani ground cover rose is distinguished by its high decorative qualities and undemanding care, which distinguishes it from other varieties. But, like other types, it has not only advantages, but also some disadvantages. Therefore, when choosing them, you need to pay attention so that later this does not become an unpleasant surprise.
The flowers of the ground cover Svani have the shape of a rosette
Main advantages:
- long, abundant flowering;
- versatility in landscape design;
- unpretentiousness to care;
- good winter hardiness;
- resistance to fungal diseases;
- high decorative qualities;
- large diameter flowers;
- suitable for cutting;
- easily propagated;
- recovers quickly in case of freezing.
Disadvantages:
- the shrub does not have the ability to self-clean;
- faint fragrance of flowers;
- with prolonged rains, the decorativeness of the rose decreases;
- needs shelter for the winter.
Varieties of Svani roses
The high popularity of the Svani ground cover rose inspired its originator to create other species based on this variety. All of them have common characteristics, but there are also obvious differences. Therefore, you should familiarize yourself with the popular subspecies of Svani so that there is no confusion.
Swany Mimi
The variety was obtained in 2001, it was originally given the technical name MEIshasen. Rosa Svani Mimi is distinguished by medium-sized bushes, the shoots of which have practically no thorns. Initially, the buds are pink in color, but when blooming, the outer petals become light, and the bright color remains only in the center. This gives the variety a special tenderness and sophistication. The diameter of the flowers of this rose is no more than 3 cm. But the shrub forms a huge number of them, so the foliage is practically invisible during flowering.
In many catalogs, Swani Mimi’s rose is listed as Mimi Eden
Super Swany
The variety was bred in 1987. Super Svani forms spreading bushes, the height of which in rare cases reaches 1,4 m. The flowers of this variety are densely double, almost white, but a soft pinkish tint is allowed along the edge of the petals. Their diameter is about 5-6 cm.
Rosa Super Svani has no smell
Pink Swany
This variety of ground cover rose was obtained in 2003 and is intended specifically for group plantings. The flowers of Pink Svani are densely doubled and even when fully opened, their center is not exposed. The height of the shrub reaches 60-80 cm, and the diameter is about 110 cm. But since there are 90-100 petals in each Pink Svani rose flower, visually the plant seems to be much larger than its size. Pink flowers with a slight purple tint. Their diameter is 7-8 cm.
The shade of flowers at the ground cover rose Svani Peak is bright in spring, and turns pale in autumn
Rose Red Swany
This variety of ground cover rose is distinguished by sprawling bushes, up to 2,0 m in diameter and about 60 cm high. Red Svani’s flowers are bright red in color with a pleasant delicate aroma. Also, the variety is characterized by openwork petals. The flowering period is long, it begins in early summer and lasts until autumn frosts.
The ground cover rose Red Svani does not need shaping pruning
Methods of reproduction
This variety is easily propagated by layering and cuttings. The first method is quite simple and even a gardener who does not have much experience can use it. To do this, it is enough to deepen several shoots by 5-10 cm into the soil, leaving only the top on top and keep the soil constantly slightly moist throughout the season. You can separate the layers from the mother bush for the next year.
The cutting method is more complicated, but it makes it possible to obtain a large number of seedlings. To do this, before flowering, cut lignified shoots into pieces 10 cm long with 2-3 internodes. The lower leaves should be completely removed, and the upper leaves should be left for sap flow. After that, powder the cut with any root former and plant the cuttings in the ground. To create optimal conditions, it is necessary to cover them with transparent caps. Young seedlings can be transplanted to a permanent place only at the age of 2 years.
Cultivation and care
You can plant the Svani ground cover rose in open ground in spring in the central and northern regions, and also in autumn in the southern regions. For this variety, you should choose sunny and slightly shaded areas with fertile soil and good aeration.
You can not plant this variety in the shade, otherwise there will be no abundant flowering.
2 weeks before the procedure, you need to prepare a planting hole measuring 50 by 50 cm. Lay a drainage layer of 7-10 cm at the bottom of it, and pour a soil mixture of turf, sand, humus and peat in equal volumes on top. When planting, the root neck of the seedling must be deepened by 2 cm.
When growing this variety, you need to follow the standard rules of care. They consist in timely watering in the absence of seasonal rains. For this, you need to use settled water with a temperature of + 18- + 20 degrees. Irrigation should be carried out in the evening to prevent leaf burns.
Also, the ground cover rose of Svani needs to be fed. Therefore, in the spring at the beginning of the growing season, it must be fertilized with nitroammophos (30 g per 10 l) or fermented chicken manure (1:15). In the future, phosphorus-potassium mineral mixtures should be used, which will increase the number of buds, prolong flowering and increase the frost resistance of the shrub. The frequency of their use is 1 time per month.
So that weeds do not grow under the shoots of the Svani rose, it is necessary to lay a layer of tree bark 3 cm thick. Such a mulch will not only help reduce watering, but also prevent overheating of the roots in the heat, and will also provide the necessary acidity level of about 6,0-6,5 pH .
The ground cover rose of Svani does not need to form a bush. Therefore, annually in the spring, only damaged and frozen shoots should be removed, which reduce the decorative effect. For the winter, this shrub requires shelter. To do this, you should initially cover the root system with a thick layer of earth and compact it. And then completely protect the rose with agrofibre.
Pests and diseases
This variety shows resistance to diseases and pests. But if the growing conditions do not match, as well as in the absence of proper care, the immunity of the Svani rose decreases.
Possible problems:
- Mučnistaâ rosa. The disease is manifested by a white coating on the leaves, which then turns dirty gray. This interferes with photosynthesis and leads to wilting of the plates. Topaz should be used for treatment.
- Black spot. The disease progresses with sharp changes in day and night temperatures. Initially, black dots appear on the leaves, and then they grow to spots. As a result, premature leaf fall occurs, and the shoots are completely exposed. For treatment and prevention, “Skor” should be used.
- aphid. A small pest that is localized on young leaves and tops of shoots. Feeds on rose juice. With a massive defeat, the buds are deformed, and the shrub stops blooming. To fight, you should use “Confidor Extra”.
- spider mite. A microscopic pest that cannot be seen with the naked eye. You can recognize the lesion by the dull shade of the leaves, slow growth, deformed buds and small cobwebs on the tops of the branches. For destruction, use Actellik.
Application in landscape design
Ground cover rose Svani is widely used in landscape design. Its creeping shoots are able to successfully disguise all unsightly surfaces. Therefore, shrubs are often planted on slopes and near high curbs. Also, this variety is ideal for alpine slides, foreground flower beds and landscaping the entrance to the gazebo.
On sale you can also find the standard rose of Svani, as its falling shoots at a height look very elegant, giving the impression of a flower fountain.
You can also grow this variety in tubs to decorate balconies, terraces, stairs.
Conclusion
The Svani ground cover rose is a highly decorative type of culture that enjoys well-deserved popularity among gardeners around the world. And the ability of this shrub to fit into any landscape design only contributes to this. It is important to remember that the plant must be completely covered for the winter in order to preserve the shoots that will bloom next season.
