Rose Flower Carpet 'Ruby'

Where to Plant
Choose a sunny position with fertile, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil. Flower Carpet 'Ruby' will also tolerate some partial shade, although roses generally flower best with plenty of sunshine. Good air circulation will help keep plants healthy. Avoid waterlogged ground and give 'Ruby' enough room for its naturally low, spreading growth.

Planting Bare-Root Roses
Bare-root roses are best planted while dormant, generally from November to March. Unpack your rose promptly and soak the roots in a bucket of water for a couple of hours before planting. Dig a generous hole, spread the roots out naturally and position the rose so the graft union sits level with the soil surface. Backfill, firm gently and water well.

Planting Potted Roses
Potted roses can be planted throughout much of the year when conditions are suitable. Water well before planting and dig a hole slightly wider than the root ball. Remove the rose from its pot, gently loosen any tightly packed roots and plant at the same depth it was growing in the pot. Backfill, gently firm and water thoroughly.

Watering
Water regularly during the first growing season while your rose establishes, particularly during warm, dry weather. Roses planted from pots during the growing season may need more frequent watering at first.

Feeding & Mulching
Feed with a suitable rose fertiliser in spring as new growth begins and again in summer to support continued flowering. Mulch with well-rotted garden compost or organic matter to help retain moisture and suppress weeds, keeping the mulch clear of the stems.

Ground Cover
Flower Carpet 'Ruby' really comes into its own when allowed to spread, covering open ground with glossy foliage and masses of ruby-red flowers from summer into autumn.

Front of Borders
Plant towards the front of a border where its low growth can spread between other plants and soften the edges of paths and beds without hiding taller plants behind it.

Banks & Slopes
Its low, spreading habit makes it a useful choice for banks and slopes, where several plants can gradually grow together to create a broad sweep of foliage and flowers.

Large Containers
'Ruby' can also be grown in a generous patio container with good drainage. Give it plenty of room and its flowering stems can spread naturally over the edges.

Planting Several Together
For larger areas of ground cover, repeat plants through the space rather than crowding them together. Giving each rose room to develop will create a fuller, more natural-looking display as they mature.

Create Layers of Colour
Pair ground cover roses with low-growing perennials such as hardy geraniums and nepeta, then add taller plants behind. The rich ruby-red flowers of 'Ruby' work particularly well with softer pinks, whites, blues and purples.

Add Height
Salvias, penstemons and verbena add height and contrasting flower shapes while allowing the rose to spread naturally around the front of the border.

Add Spring Bulbs
Plant spring-flowering bulbs such as narcissus and alliums nearby for colour before the roses reach their summer peak. As the bulbs finish, the roses and summer perennials take over.

Plant with Taller Roses
Ground cover roses can also be planted in front of taller bush and shrub roses, filling the lower level with foliage and flowers and creating a more layered display.

Top Tip:
Think about height as well as colour. Keep spreading roses towards the front, medium-height perennials through the middle and taller plants behind.

Bare-Root Roses
Bare-root roses are supplied dormant without a pot or compost around their roots. They will usually arrive with woody stems and exposed roots, with little or no foliage. This is completely normal and they will begin producing fresh growth as temperatures rise.

Potted Roses
Potted roses are supplied established in compost. Plants may be pruned before despatch to encourage a strong, open framework, and their appearance will naturally vary with the season. They may arrive with fresh growth, leaves or flowers during the growing season and with much less growth during colder months.

If You Can't Plant Straight Away
Keep bare-root roses cool with their roots moist and protected from drying out, and plant as soon as possible. Potted roses can be kept in a sheltered outdoor position until you're ready to plant; check them regularly and water as needed to keep the compost moist.

What to Expect After Planting
Your rose won't arrive looking like a mature plant. Once established, it will gradually fill out and develop its characteristic growth habit, with displays becoming more generous as the plant matures.

Mature Size
Flower Carpet 'Ruby' develops a naturally low, spreading habit, reaching approximately 50–60cm tall with a spread of around 80cm. Growing conditions and pruning will influence its eventual size and shape.