Winter is rose pruning time and the Flower Carpet or other ground cover type roses are some of the easiest to prune. They can be trimmed throughout the year to maintain shape and size and then once a year in late winter cut the bush back to rejuvenate and reinvigorate the plant. Although the shrub will only look like stalks initially, the bush will re-establish with healthy new growth and flower in eight to 12 weeks, depending on climate.
Pruning
Begin by cutting off the dead branches and any branches that are running along the ground and sending out new roots. Give the bush a rough hair cut first and then work at cutting it back to around 20-30cm (8-12″) from the base. If you think that is too drastic at least cut it back to half the size of the original bush. Work towards an even shape with not too many crossing branches. The winter pruning encourages new growth and greater flowering. Put the prunings through a garden shredder or compost them.
Tip:Â When pruning roses always wear gloves to protect your hands from the sharp thorns.
Plant details
Good points:
- long flowering for up to 10 months in a wide variety of colours
- disease resistant
- pleasant rose fragrance
- neat compact bush 80cm (2’4″) high and up to 1m (3′) wide
Care:
- every spring and summer feed Flower Carpet roses with timed release fertiliser, high in potash like Debco Green Jacket six month Rose Booster (50g sachet rrp. $1.95 or 400g shaker container rrp. $4.95)
- water well and keep moist at all times
- during the first winter protect from extreme cold but after that they are very hardy
Likes:
- sunny position for more than four hours a day
- for hedge-like effect plant 60-90cm (2-3′) apart
- container or hanging basket at least 40cm (16″) wide
Availability
Flower Carpet and other ground cover roses are available from nurseries throughout Australia.