Three ground cover roses with high disease resistance have been released in Australia in the past six years. These are called the Flower Carpet series. The first, launched in 1992 has small bright pink flowers. It is called Flower Carpet ‘Pink’. The second, launched the following year, has small white flowers and is called Flower Carpet ‘White’. The White Flower Carpet tends to be the earliest to flower, beginning in October. The third in the series, launched in 1995, is called ‘Appleblossom’ it has cherry red buds that open to reveal light pink flowers. It holds its petals well and grows vigorously. Now there’s a new one in the series which has just been released which has clusters of small, yellow flowers with a touch of red at the base of some petals. This would go well in a garden with warm colours like oranges and bright reds.
The Flower Carpet roses cover about a metre (3′) of ground and grow up to 80cm (32″) high. They have all been developed by Werner Noack, a German rose breeder and are being grown and distributed by nurseries around Australia.
Care
Flower Carpet roses are claimed to be disease resistant. Indeed, all these roses have won prestigious awards in rose trials for their disease resistance.
All four roses show high resistance to both powdery mildew and black spot, fungal diseases that plague most roses. These roses should not need spraying with fungicides.
Yellow leaves or leaf spotting may sometimes be seen on the plants. These symptoms are not indicative of disease, but suggest lack of water or fertiliser. To remedy simply give the rose a deep, soaking drink of water and a handful of fertiliser. The growers of Flower Carpet recommend a specially designed slow release fertiliser, Flower Carpet Rose Fertiliser, which is sold in nurseries. Any fertiliser for flowering plants or roses is suitable.
Disease resistance doesn’t mean that the roses will be free of pests. They may be attacked by aphids, thrips or other common rose pests. In general however the strong, vigorous growth of the Flower Carpet roses means pests too require little attention.
Planting
Flower Carpet roses are best grown in full sun and will flower from late October or November through until winter. They are ideal for growing on a bank or spilling over a wall. They will act as a ground cover, but the ground should be free of weeds before planting or a weed mat laid until the rose gets established as hand weeding is difficult due to the prickly growth. Glyphosate sprays such as Roundup and Zero are not recommended for use near roses as they are extremely sensitive to the spray and may die.
Flower Carpet roses can also be grown as standards or in large pots or hanging baskets. If grown in containers these plants must have regular water and fertiliser.
Flower Carpet roses respond well to pruning but can be left unpruned if desired. However the growers recommend a shear either once a year (for example in late winter) or twice a year in late winter and mid-summer (particularly in warmer climates where growth will be more vigorous). They do not need careful pruning, simply cut back with garden shears.
Availability
Flower Carpet roses including the new yellow variety are available at nurseries around Australia. The plants are available in a 21cm (7″) pot retailing for around $15. A standard Flower Carpet Rose costs around $45.
To find your closest stockist contact Tesselaar’s Nursery, 327 Monbulk Road, Silvan, VIC, 3795. Phone: (03) 9737 9568, fax: (03) 9737 9899, www.tesselaar.com.au