Rosa Tapis Rouge - Groundcover Shrub Rose

Rosa 'Tapis Rouge' groundcover shrub rose is an excellent variety of rose bush, appreciated for its endlessly vibrant flowering and low, spreading habit, qualities that make this bush a truly radiant ground cover. Its clusters of small, single flowers are a bright red without being garish, enhanced by a golden heart. They bloom for 5 to 6 months on very attractive dark green foliage. This rose is highly disease-resistant and needs little attention and care. It works well in sunny borders, cascading over walls or even in a large container on the terrace or balcony.

The flowers of Rosa Tapis Rouge are gathered in terminal clusters, which comes from the polyantha rose, an old hybrid resulting from the cross-breeding of Rosa multiflora and Rosa chinensis. This Dutch variety is the result of cross-breeding between the vigorous rose 'Tapis Persan' and the exceptionally perpetual rose 'Dortmund' among others. This small bush has a flexible and spreading habit, significantly wider than it is tall, and partially drooping. It will reach a height of about 30-40 cm (12-16in) with a spread of 80 cm (32in) to 1 m (3ft) in a few years. The 3-4 cm (1-2in) single flowers, with 5 petals, in the shape of flat cups, are abundantly and continuously produced from May to October if the soil remains moist. They are bright but not harsh, blood-red, enhanced by a small white throat and a beautiful golden stamen. Their colour evolves to a softer magenta pink when mature. They bloom in large clusters, without interruption as long as there is no frost. This very vigorous and highly disease-resistant variety develops an elegant, well-furnished, shiny dark green foliage. Its stems are very thorny.

Obtained by Interplant, Netherlands, 1986.

The 'Tapis Rouge' rose bush thrives in all soils that are not too dry and all climates, which allows it to be grown in many regions. It works well as a border, in a rockery or on a slope where it will cover the ground. It can also be planted in groups of 3, arranged in a triangle, as a specimen on a lawn. Plant it en masse or combined with pink ground cover roses (Maman Turbat, The Fairy) or white ones (Swanny) to highlight a path or beds of light or opulent bushes and perennials. For example, it can be paired with perennial geraniums (Geranium Blue Cloud, Anne Folkard, Nimbus, Orion), bellflowers (lactiflora, rapunculoides), catmints, snapdragons, foxgloves or Stachys. Left to grow freely, it forms a superb carpet that brings life to any setting. It can also be placed in a large container or trough, with pelargoniums, silver foliage plants, Dichondra repens Silver Falls...