Roses are often thought of as shrub-like or mounding plants with delightful colors of all kinds. Even with delightful colors, roses are more than just a shrub. There are many different kinds of ground cover roses, there are Flower Carpet Roses, Pavement Roses, or Drift Roses. Many of these different brands of roses provide amazing arrays of color while only growing to about a foot tall or so. See below for helpful tips.

Maintenance

Ground Cover roses should be treated like regular roses with a few exceptions: Drift Roses have disease resistance

Flower Maintenance

Prune off dead flowers:

• Promotes new growth and flowers

Plant Maintenance

In the first year, prune back a 1/3 of the plant:

• Promotes new growth for next year
• Ensures vigor
• Maintains form

After a few years, prune back to base:

• Renews plant form
• Increases plant vigor

Use Bayer All in One Rose Care to protect against:

• Fertilizer - feeds and renews
• Insect control
• Disease control
• Protects against insects and diseases for up to 6 weeks
• No spraying. Just mix in a watering can and pour at plant base

Watering

Water ground covers to ensure the plant’s successful establishment.

Plants should be well watered the first season after planting:

• This will provide a well developed root system

Established plants do not need regular watering:

• Some plants may need supplemental watering during drought periods

When water is needed:

• Apply enough to penetrate the soil to a depth of 12 inches
• Check the soil twice a week to determine soil moisture

Fertilizer

Begin fertilizing in late Spring:

• Every two weeks till September
• Remember to use the recommended application rates
• Roses like a pH of 6.5
• Be prepared to alter your soil
• The Northeast region is known for acid soils

Fertilize with:

• Espoma Rose Tone
• 3 in 1 Rose Care by Bayer
• Messenger
• Miracle Grow
• Neptune’s Harvest

Exposure

All Ground Cover Roses love full sun.

Return to top