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The first documentary evidence of cultivated roses came down 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 from a military campaign to the city of Uru, brought rose bushes. Presumably, it was from there that the rose was taken to Greece and the island of Crete, and from there it was dispersed throughout the Western world.
Ground cover roses were isolated from the shrub group 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 individual new varieties of these roses were brought to the market annually, then in the 80s their real boom began.
Description and taxonomy 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 surface of the ground, but also widely spread shrubs growing up to 1.5 m in height. The taxonomy of these roses, like other groups, is traditionally confusing. 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 for an inexperienced beginner, but also for an advanced rose grower-practitioner:
- Miniature creeping flowers, growing up to 30-45 cm in height, no more than 1.5 m in width.
- Large creeping plants, growing more than 45 cm in height, more than 1.5 m in width.
- Miniature drooping flowers up to 1.0 m high, no more than 1.5 m wide.
- Large drooping plants from 1.0 meter high and more and more than 1.5 m wide.
Ground cover roses of the first two subgroups have recumbent shoots, often capable of rooting at the nodes. The cultivars of the next two subgroups form wide, spreading bushes with long drooping branches.
Some rose growers, for example, French ones, generally single out only one group. They argue that ground cover roses are only those that grow horizontally, while tall drooping flowers are attributed to other subgroups. So do not be surprised if different sources classify one variety as ground cover, climbing, floribunda roses or shrabam (another unrecognized but very popular variety).
Some taxonomists classify low varieties of roses with numerous erect shoots as ground cover, which grow strongly and cover a large area (for example, varieties "Mainaufeya" and "Snow Baleit").
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 profuse flowering, a larger palette of colors. Today, you can often find varieties with large or thick double glasses. All of them are distinguished by the rapid growth of shoots, frost resistance and disease resistance.
The history of ground cover roses
The vast majority of varieties have been registered in the past thirty years. This does not mean that ground cover roses did not exist before.The Vihura rose, which can grow 6 m wide, has been grown as a ground cover plant since the nineteenth century, and at the beginning of the last century its varieties and hybrids of a more compact form, attractive appearance began to appear.
In Japan, there is a creeping variety of Wrinkled Rose, 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.
The use of ground cover roses in design
Ground cover roses gained popularity very quickly; every landscape designer considers it his duty to place at least one even on the smallest area. They are used in flower beds, fill narrow terraces, well-lit space between large and small landscape groups. They can act as wide curbs.
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 the 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 irregularities in the soil. 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. Due to the spectacular low fence, it is easy to see what is happening outside, and thorny shoots occupying a large area will protect you from outside intrusion.
Some ground cover varieties are suitable for container growing.
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 selected from the catalog), if you do not want unpleasant surprises, carefully read the description and learn more about it from other sources.
Most of all, people experience disappointment when buying ground cover varieties of roses. Usually they come to the site in spring or autumn, and without buds. The photographs that we see in catalogs or in pictures attached to the bushes sometimes do not reflect the real state of affairs. Varieties of the first and second groups often bloom 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, grief may await us.
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 who wants to create a bright spot in the corner of the flower bed, instead of 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 cover roses
Let's take a closer look at the varieties of ground cover roses.
Avon
Blooming all season undersized variety with creeping shoots, small leaves and mother-of-pearl flowers about 3.5 cm in diameter. 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.
Bonica 82
One of the most popular and widespread varieties of the fourth subgroup.The bush can reach a height of 1.5 m, but it looks more attractive if it is cut in half in the spring. The bush is beautiful, spreading, 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 3-5 cm in diameter are collected in 5-15 pieces in a brush, when opened, they are bright pink, 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 the very frost. The variety is moderately resistant to frost, powdery mildew and soaking. Resistance to black spot is weak, especially in rainy summers.
Broadment
This variety continuously blooms with double yellow cupped flowers with a diameter of up to 7 cm. They have a faint aroma and appear singly or are collected in brushes of 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.
Chilterns
A very popular variety, almost every country gives it a different name. It can grow successfully 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 weak aroma are colored blood red, and it does not fade in the sun. The buds are collected in 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 faint aroma look great and are collected in brushes of 3-15 pieces. Flowering - repeated, disease resistance - average. 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 a brush 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 - so 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 deep pink cupped flowers up to 6 cm in diameter bloom continuously and very abundantly, 10-20 pieces are collected in the brush. Several varieties have been bred that differ from the original only in color. It has high winter hardiness, disease resistance and soaking.
Kent
One of the most titled ground cover roses. Belongs to the third subgroup and forms a beautiful neat bush that almost does not require 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 - medium, disease - high.
Max Graf
It is the oldest surviving ground cover rose variety. By its appearance it is easy to determine that it is an interspecific hybrid between the Wrinkled Rosehip and the Vihura Rosehip. Belongs to the second subgroup. Thorny creeping shoots easily root on their own and quickly develop 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.
Pesent
This variety is registered as a ground cover rose, but thanks to its flexible shoots, it can be grown as a climbing rose. The lashes raised on the support look even better. Refers to the second group. It has two waves of flowering, it grows strongly, and can quickly cover a large area of up to 7-8 sq. m. Flowers up to 6 cm in diameter are collected in brushes of up to 10-30 pieces, have beautiful wavy petals, are colored coral pink, with a weak aroma.They are highly resistant to disease.
Conclusion
We do not pretend to have shown the best varieties of ground cover roses - each has its own taste. We only hope that we have piqued your interest and prompted you to further acquaintance with these beautiful flowers.
