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The first documentary evidence of cultivated roses came to us from the territory of modern Turkey, they were obtained during excavations in Uru of the tombs of the kings of Chaldea. They said that the Sumerian king Saragon the First brought rose bushes from a military campaign to the city of Uru. Presumably, it was from there that the rose was taken to Greece and the island of Crete, and from there it spread throughout the Western world.
Ground cover roses were isolated from the group of shrub roses only in the mid-80s of the twentieth century. This was due to the fact that in the wake of the increased popularity of ground cover plants, the demand for creeping flowering shrubs also increased. And if in the 70s single new varieties of these roses were brought to the market every year, then in the 80s their real boom began.
Description and systematics of ground cover roses
Ground cover roses are very diverse. This group includes not only plants with medium-sized flowers and thin creeping shoots, slightly rising above the ground, but also widely spread shrubs growing up to 1,5 m in height. The systematics of these roses, like other groups, is traditionally confused. Most often, 4-5 subgroups are distinguished. We bring to your attention the classification given by Dr. David Gerald Hession. In our opinion, it is more understandable than others, not only to an inexperienced beginner, but also to an advanced practicing rose grower:
- Miniature creeping flowers, growing up to 30-45 cm in height, not more than 1,5 m wide.
- Large creeping plants, growing to a height of more than 45 cm, a width of more than 1,5 m.
- Miniature drooping flowers up to 1,0 m high, not more than 1,5 m wide.
- Large drooping plants with a height of 1,0 meters or more and a width of more than 1,5 m.
Ground cover roses of the first two subgroups have lying shoots, often able to take root in the nodes. Varieties of the next two subgroups form wide sprawling bushes with long drooping branches.
Some rose growers, for example, French ones, in general, distinguish only one group. They argue that ground cover roses are only those that grow horizontally, while tall drooping flowers are classified in other subgroups. So don’t be surprised if different sources classify the same variety as ground cover, climbing, floribunda, or scrub (another unrecognized but very popular variety).
Some taxonomists classify low varieties of roses with numerous erect shoots as ground cover, growing strongly and covering a large area (for example, varieties “Mainaufeya” and “Snow Belate”).
The first roses of the ground cover group bloomed once per season, had simple or semi-double small flowers and their color was limited to white, pink, red. Modern varieties are characterized primarily by continuous abundant flowering, a larger palette of colors. Today you can often find varieties with large or densely doubled glasses. All of them are characterized by rapid growth of shoots, frost resistance and resistance to diseases.
History of ground cover roses
The vast majority of varieties have been registered in the last thirty years. This does not mean that ground cover roses did not exist before. The Vihura rose, which can grow up to 6 m wide, has been grown as a groundcover since the nineteenth century, and at the beginning of the last century, its varieties and hybrids of a more compact form and attractive appearance began to appear.
In Japan, there is a creeping variety of Rose Wrinkled, which grows on the dunes and is able to cover a fairly large area. She is also considered one of the progenitors of modern ground cover varieties of roses.
Re-blooming ground cover roses today firmly occupy one of the leading positions in demand not only among roses, but also among other creeping plants.
Use of ground cover roses in design
Ground cover roses have gained popularity very quickly, every landscape designer considers it his duty to place at least one even on the smallest plot. They are used in flowerbeds, fill narrow terraces, well-lit space between large and small landscape groups. They can act as wide borders.
A flowering plant planted in the middle of the lawn will look great. The rose from the first two groups should be planted on the lawn, if it is viewed mainly from above, and tall drooping varieties will look good from any point of view. Tall ground cover varieties are quite suitable for growing as a tapeworm.
Ground cover roses can be planted on any slope, and this will not only decorate it, but also protect it from erosion. These plants can cover bumps and other soil irregularities. With the help of creeping varieties, if necessary, you can mask the hatch.
Roses of the fourth subgroup are suitable as a low but wide hedge. Because of the spectacular low fence, it is easy to see what is happening outside, and the prickly shoots that occupy a large area will protect you from outside intrusion.
Some ground cover varieties are suitable for growing in containers.
Perhaps this video will awaken your own imagination and tell you where to plant this rose in the garden:
Choosing a ground cover rose
Before buying a rose (especially one chosen from a catalog), if you don’t want unpleasant surprises, read the description carefully and learn more about it from other sources.
People experience the most disappointment when buying ground cover varieties of roses. Usually they get to the site in spring or autumn, and without buds. Those photographs that we see in catalogs or on pictures attached to the bushes sometimes do not reflect the real state of affairs. Varieties of the first and second groups often bloom with small-flowered inflorescences, and in the photo of ground cover roses we see a single flower, and even much larger than in reality. As a result, we may be disappointed.
The second point is that by ground cover roses we most often mean a plant with soft creeping shoots, designed to cover a large or small area of soil. But you need to remember that there are still drooping roses that can reach a height of 1,5 m. Probably, the owner wants to create a bright spot in the corner of the flower bed, instead growing a 1,5-meter plant that covered with its shoots not only the entire flower garden, but also part of the track, will get a shock.
Varieties of ground-covering roses
Let’s take a closer look at the varieties of ground cover roses.
Avon
A low-growing variety that blooms all season with creeping shoots, small leaves and mother-of-pearl flowers with a diameter of about 3,5 cm. Weakly fragrant flowers are collected in brushes of 5-10 pieces, with a weak aroma. At the beginning of flowering they have a pale pink color, but quickly turn white, the height of the bush reaches 30-40 cm, it can occupy an area of about 2 square meters. m. In regions with mild winters, it can cover a large area without pruning. Frost resistance and disease resistance – medium. Can be grown as a container plant.
Bonika 82
One of the most popular and common varieties of the fourth subgroup. The bush can reach a height of 1,5 m, but looks more attractive if cut in half in the spring. The bush is beautiful, sprawling, with attractive foliage of dark green color. It can be grown as a groundcover, container plant or scrub. The first wave of flowering is the most abundant. Flowers with a diameter of 3-5 cm are collected in 5-15 pieces in a brush, when opened, they are bright pink, they can fade to almost white. If they are cut on time, a second and third wave of flowering is possible, otherwise single flowers will form until frost. The variety is moderately resistant to frost, powdery mildew and soaking. Resistance to black spot is weak, especially in rainy summers.
Brodment
This variety continuously blooms with double yellow cup-shaped flowers up to 7 cm in diameter. They have a faint aroma and appear singly or collected in brushes up to 5 pieces. The sprawling bush belongs to the third subgroup and its height reaches 60-75 cm. The variety is resistant to diseases, winters well.
The Chilterns
A very popular variety, almost every country gives it a different name. It can successfully grow in any climate; according to various sources, it belongs to the third or fourth subgroup. The bush is pressed to the ground, has creeping long shoots with dark foliage. Large, up to 8 cm in diameter, semi-double flowers with a faint aroma are painted in a blood-red color, and it does not fade in the sun. The buds are collected by brushes of 10-30 pieces. The variety blooms continuously throughout the season, frost-resistant, moderately resistant to diseases.
Essex
The variety belongs to the first subgroup and grows well in breadth. Pink simple flowers up to 4 cm in diameter with a slight aroma look great and are collected in brushes of 3-15 pieces. Flowering – repeated, disease resistance – medium. The variety has won several awards.
Ferdy
One of the most interesting varieties, however, blooms profusely only once, with coral-pink semi-double flowers up to 4 cm in diameter, collected in brushes of 5-10 pieces, completely devoid of aroma. The bush is dense, branched, with very beautiful leaves, belongs to the third subgroup. It is best not to cut it off at all, just trim the shoots a little in the spring – this way it will show itself in the whole race. It has low frost resistance and high disease resistance.
Flower Carpet
One of the best varieties of the first subgroup. Semi-double or double rich pink cup-shaped flowers up to 6 cm in diameter bloom continuously and very abundantly, 10-20 pieces are collected in a brush. Several varieties have been bred that differ from the original only in color. It has high winter hardiness, resistance to diseases and soaking.
Kent
One of the most titled ground cover roses. It belongs to the third subgroup and forms a beautiful, neat bush that requires almost no pruning. Blooms profusely and continuously throughout the season. Semi-double flowers with a weak aroma have a diameter of up to 4 cm, collected in brushes of 5-10 pieces. Frost resistance is medium, disease resistance is high.
Max Graf
This is the oldest variety of ground cover rose that has survived to this day. By appearance, it is easy to determine that it is an interspecific hybrid between Wrinkled Rosehip and Vihura Rosehip. Belongs to the second subgroup. Spiny creeping shoots easily take root on their own and quickly master a large area. This variety is not suitable for a flower bed, but is ideal if you have to close a slope or quickly close a large area. Simple fragrant flowers up to 5 cm in diameter have a dark pink color and are collected in brushes of 3-5 pieces. The variety blooms once, but has decorative foliage and high resistance to cold and disease.
A song
This variety is registered as a ground cover rose, but due to its flexible shoots it can be grown as a climbing rose. The whips raised on a support look even better. Belongs to the second group. It has two flowering waves, grows strongly, and can quickly cover a large area up to 7-8 square meters. m. Flowers with a diameter of up to 6 cm are collected in tassels up to 10-30 pieces, have beautiful wavy petals, are painted coral-pink, with a faint aroma. They have high disease resistance.
Conclusion
We do not pretend to have shown the best varieties of ground cover roses – everyone has their own taste. We only hope that we have interested you and encouraged you to further acquaintance with these beautiful flowers.