Modern Shrub and Groundcover Roses for Successful Landscaping

Landscape roses, often called shrub roses, bring up-to-the-minute landscape design possibilities to residential, commercial and public spaces. These roses are well-suited for the “New American Garden” style pioneered by landscape architects Wolfgang Oehme and James A. van Sweden. This design concept reflects the year-round beauty of natural landscapes. Examples using shrub roses found in the company’s portfolio include a Rhode Island residence, The Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library at the Univ. of VA, Charlottesville and North Point Park, Boston (MA).

Characteristics of Modern Shrub Roses

Rose breeders at the end of the 20th century and beginning of the 21st concentrated on stabilizing characteristics like insect and disease resistance, many seasonal bloom cycles and low-maintenance features such as no deadheading or extensive pruning. They also focused on selecting colors, shapes and forms of landscape roses adaptable for numerous landscape design uses.

Landscape Design Uses

If a garden site satisfies rose growing conditions, there is more often than not a shrub rose to fit the specific landscape design requirements. Below are examples of where carefully researched shrub roses can fit design applications:

1. Accent or Specimen: Red Flower Carpet® roses add intense color to flowerbeds, mass plantings, large containers and even as tree roses. (Photo #1)
2. Background in Shrub or Perennial Border: Red Knockout®, roses, a 2000 All American Rose Selection, is at home mixed with perennials and is one of the most widely sold modern shrub roses. (Photo #2)
3. Foundation: Peach Drift® roses make pleasing ground covers under small trees or edge plantings along foundations. (Photo#3)
4. Ground cover: White Meidiland roses are low-growing prolific-blooming ground cover roses. (Photo #4)
5. Wall and Fence Beautification: Red Home Run™ roses dress up the front of a white picket fence and are resistant to powdery mildew and black spot diseases. (Photo #5)
6. Low Hedge
7. Sound Barrier or Screen
8. Trellis/Arbor/Arch/Pergola
9. Container

Essential Rose Growing Conditions

1. Good air circulation and full sunshine are the most important factors for growing healthy shrub roses.
2. Light should be direct for a minimum of 6 hours each day.
3. Soils will promote healthy bloom when they are moist but well draining, high in organic matter and fertility with a consistent supply of nutrients, and an average pH between 5.5 and 6.5.
4. Mulch conserves soil moisture and keeps soil cool. Apply to a depth of about one to two inches when the soil is damp. Test soil every year or so because organic mulches may alter the soil pH by increasing acidity; additional nitrogen may be needed.
5. Water only when needed to the depth of the root system, about one foot with soaker or drip irrigation. Overhead watering especially in late afternoon or evening encourages fungi, molds and mildews to grow.
6. Prune at any time to remove dead or diseased branches. Shrub roses benefit from spring pruning to 12- to 18-inches above the growing.