15 best ground cover roses

Review of the best according to the editorial board. On the selection criteria. This material is subjective and does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

The modern range of roses is very versatile. Their ground cover varieties are especially popular with gardeners and landscape designers. They are the result of a successful crossing of Wichuraiana climbing roses and miniature species. Ground cover includes not only creeping forms, but also bushes with arched shoots, no more than 80 cm high.

An important feature of these roses is that their height will always be less than their width. Other common characteristics of these plants:

1. medium-sized, but numerous flowers;
2. strong growth during the growing season;
3. unpretentious care;
4. disease and pest resistance;
5. easily propagate by cuttings, layering;
6. tolerate frost well.

Within this group of roses, they are divided into separate categories depending on the type of shoots, as well as focusing on the height and width of the emerging bushes. In our review, we will consider low miniature and large ground cover roses with drooping shoots.

Rating of the best ground cover roses

Nomination	a place	Name of product	Rating
The best low-growing ground cover roses	1	Bessy	5.0
	2	Amber sun	4.9
	3	Sunny rose	4.8
	4	Schneeflocke	4.7
	5	Kastelruther Spatzen	4.6
	6	Purple rain	4.5
	7	Topolina	4.4
	8	Snowfield	4.3
The best large ground cover roses with drooping shoots	1	Candela	5.0
	2	Nemo	4.9
	3	Candia meillandecor	4.8
	4	Fiona	4.7
	5	Celina	4.6
	6	Rody	4.5
	7	Lipstick	4.4

The best low-growing ground cover roses

The undersized ground cover includes rose bushes, which do not exceed 40-60 cm in height. They are frost-resistant, unpretentious and versatile in use.

Bessy

Rating: 5.0

The ground cover variety Bessy was developed in 1998 in the Netherlands. The height of the spreading bush reaches 40-60 cm, and the width is more than 70 cm. It is very beautiful in shape. The stems of this ground cover rose are very strong with numerous peduncles. The foliage is glossy, dark green, disease resistant. The cultivar is self-cleaning and re-blooming.

Bessie's inflorescences form spherical buds. The flowers are 7 cm in diameter. They are mainly semi-double or double (the average number of petals is from 16 to 30). Their color ranges from golden apricot to orange. The petals are embossed. The shape of the flowers is flat, rosette-like. Up to 5-7 buds are formed on each peduncle. The aroma of this variety is weak.

Bessy lovers in the reviews note that this is a very unpretentious ground cover rose in cultivation. She has a high resistance to diseases and she winters well. The bush tolerates rain well, but individual inflorescences can be damaged. The petals burn out very beautifully. And in the end, bright and faded flowers are combined very harmoniously. However, experienced growers note that Bessy's re-flowering is no longer as attractive as the primary one.

Advantages

• beautiful sprawling bush;
• strong stems;
• abundant flowering;
• a beautiful combination of colors of different colors;
• good immunity.

disadvantages

• weak re-flowering.

Amber sun

Rating: 4.9

The German groundcover rose Amber Sun is popular with gardeners. The bush is branched, grows strongly in width and covers the ground well. Plant height does not exceed 50 cm. Shoots are long, fall apart in different directions. The foliage is dark green, highly glossy, dense. This groundcover rose is characterized by repeated, continuous flowering.

Amber Sun's buds are small, pointed, orange-yellow. The flowers are semi-double, copper-yellow. As a result of the burnout, the beautiful color of the petals of the Amber Sun rose changes throughout the season and they become lighter. Inflorescences have up to 5-8 flowers. The aroma of the Amber Sun rose is rather weak.

According to gardeners' reviews, Amber Sun takes its rightful place in the flower bed. The adorable creamy yellow flowers blend perfectly with beautiful green foliage. Blooms continuously until frost. This variety practically does not suffer from black spot and does not suffer from powdery mildew. But the plant has poor resistance to rain. And the faded petals are crumbling a little sloppily.

Advantages

• covers the ground well;
• continuous flowering;
• beautiful color of the petals;
• good immunity to major diseases.

disadvantages

• flowers do not open when it rains;
• petals crumble sloppily.

Sunny rose

Rating: 4.8

The Sunny Rose ground cover rose was bred in 2001 in Germany. Bushes are wide, creeping, can cover a decent area of ​​land. They have a flat shape and arched shoots, reaching a length of 1.5 m. The leaves are small, dark green, dense, highly glossy. The variety is very hardy and abundantly flowering.

Sunny Rose has small, rounded buds. The flowers are light yellow, reaching 3-4 cm in diameter. They are semi-double, collected in inflorescences, which have up to 3-5 roses. Their aroma is weak or completely absent. Flowering begins in June. Roses keep color well, do not deteriorate from light rain.

Landscape designers speak very well of this groundcover rose. They are great both for growing in group plantings or an array, as well as for flower beds or foregrounds of flower beds. In Sunny Rose, the bloom has distinct waves. This ground cover variety has good disease resistance. The rose is not too demanding to care for. However, it cannot withstand heavy rainfall.

Advantages

• wide, creeping bushes;
• beautiful flowers;
• keeps color well;
• high resistance to disease;
• abundant flowering.

disadvantages

• cannot withstand heavy showers.

Schneeflocke

Rating: 4.7

Thanks to the German hybridiser Noack, a ground cover rose variety, Schneeflocke, has appeared. The bush forms wide but compact. It has a large number of branches covered with shiny dark green leaves. Height 40-70 cm, width 100-120 cm. This rose can be used not only as a ground cover. It finds its place in elaborate flower beds or is grown in containers. Schneeflocke is very aromatic.

The flowers are semi-double, large (6 cm in diameter). Schneeflocke groundcover roses are clear, luminous white with a bunch of golden stamens. Light waviness is noticeable on the outer petals. Buds appear in clusters of 3-15 pcs. This variety is characterized by one of the longest flowering – from May to the very frost. In place of the faded roses, orange fruits are formed, having a rounded shape.

According to reviews, new buds open after those that have faded, creating a continuous flowering conveyor. Schneeflocke has very good rain tolerance and resistance to the main diseases of the crop. It grows well in urban conditions and does not need any special care. This rose has practically no flaws, but sometimes it oppresses adjacent plants, as it actively scatters long shoots.

Advantages

• shining white roses;
• long flowering;
• not even afraid of heavy rains;
• has good immunity;
• rich aroma;
• It does not require special care.

disadvantages

• growing, can oppress adjacent plants.

Kastelruther Spatzen

Rating: 4.6

The German ground cover rose variety Kastelruther Spatzen was bred in 2012. The bushes are small, compact, reach a height of 40-60 cm. Their diameter in the third year is 80 cm. The plant has a large number of shoots. The lower branches lie on the ground evenly in a circle. The foliage is resistant to diseases, glossy, dark green.

Flowers are densely double, pure white, do not show the middle. They reach 6-7 cm in diameter. Their shape changes as they bloom from deeply cupped to rosette-shaped. Thorny bushes. The breeder states that Kastelruther Spatzen should have a light violet scent, but in reality, roses practically do not smell.

Fans of this variety in the reviews note that Kastelruther Spatzen looks very impressive on a flower bed, but to preserve its decorative effect, the bush has to be constantly cleaned. Otherwise, aging flowers turn brown, rot, but continue to hang, which spoils the general appearance. This plant tolerates rainfall with dignity and has an increased resistance to disease.

Advantages

• small compact bushes;
• pure white double flowers;
• always in bloom until late autumn;
• tolerates showers with dignity;
• resists major diseases well.

disadvantages

• very prickly bush;
• it is necessary to cut off faded inflorescences.

Purple rain

Rating: 4.5

Purple Rain appeared in 2009 in Germany. The shrub reaches 45-50 cm in height and about 70-150 cm in width. The foliage is medium-sized, dark green. In the first year of life of this ground cover plant, the shoots grow very dynamically. They branch strongly and reach more than 1 m in length. Purple Rain looks dignified both in single and in group planting.

The name of this ground cover rose means “purple rain”. It is very suitable for this variety, as the bushes bloom very profusely. Roses are purple-crimson with a pearlescent tint. They are cupped in shape and are densely doubled (80-85 petals). They reach 4-5 cm in diameter and are collected in large inflorescences of 5-10 pcs. Purple Rain has a light aroma.

Florists in their reviews note that this variety is not afraid of rain, has good immunity and has high winter hardiness. Purple Rain is loved for its continuous and long bloom. Under the hot sun, the petals brighten slightly or white spots appear on them. Against this background, the bush becomes less attractive.

Advantages

• abundant and continuous flowering;
• attractive bush;
• light aroma;
• high winter hardiness;
• good immunity.

disadvantages

• the petals brighten noticeably in the sun.

Topolina

Rating: 4.4

The classic ground cover rose Topolina has low, flat, very compact bushes. They do not exceed 40 cm in height, reach 50 cm in width. The foliage is glossy, dark green, never seen in diseases. Recommended for landscaping parks and other recreational areas, as well as for ridges, rockeries and retaining walls in private gardens.

The flowers are simple, small (3-4 cm in diameter), pink with a yellow center, self-cleaning very well. There are from 5 to 10 roses on one stem. They perfectly attract the attention of not only people, but also bees, bumblebees. At night, the petals close very nicely. Topolina has a weak aroma.

According to reviews, Topolina ground cover shrubs usually do not get sick. They look simply due to non-double flowers, but attractive. This plant has a fairly high frost resistance and survives the winter well. Topolina self-cleans well. The variety is continuously blooming, but individual inflorescences wilt and fall off in just a few days.

Advantages

• bushes are low and compact;
• the flowers are simple but attractive;
• good disease resistance;
• blooms continuously.

disadvantages

• individual inflorescences fade very quickly.

Snowfield

Rating: 4.3

Ground cover rose Snowfield belongs to the very unpretentious varieties. Sprawling bush, up to 30-50 cm high, the length of shoots can reach 1-1.5 m. Leaves are dark green, matte. On some shrubs, they are not visible under the abundant flowering. Snowfield is used both in single plantings and in compositions with other ornamental plants.

Snowfield flowers are medium in size (3-5 cm in diameter), globular with a moderate aroma. They are terry, have white petals with a light green center. Blooms profusely and continuously throughout the growing season. Snowfield does not self-purify well, so faded inflorescences need pruning.

Florists speak very well of the Snowfield ground cover rose. They like that this plant is stress-resistant to various adverse environmental factors and has good immunity. However, they note that this variety should be covered for the winter after preliminary pruning.

Advantages

• beautiful sprawling bush;
• double white flowers with a moderate aroma;
• good disease resistance;
• not damaged by rain.

disadvantages

• needs pruning of faded inflorescences.

The best large ground cover roses with drooping shoots

Large ground cover roses with drooping shoots look good in single plantings. And they are also used in zoning and in group compositions.

Candela

Rating: 5.0

In the German ground cover rose Candela, the height of the bushes reaches 50-80 cm, and the width is 60-70 cm. They are spreading and look very harmonious. The shoots first grow vertically and then bend. The leaves are glossy, very resistant to disease. Candela can be used for park and roadside planting.

The rose of this variety is a honey-yellow flowers with a blushing border, collected in large inflorescences and appearing throughout the growing season (from June to frost). They are terry (17-25 petals), 4-6 cm in diameter. They have good self-cleaning and excellent color stability.

Gardeners praise this variety very much in their reviews. They love that Candela has excellent disease and pest resistance, is rain resistant and can tolerate frost well. The color of the petals does not fade even with the scorching sun. This richly blooming ground cover rose with robust health can be a real highlight of landscape design.

Advantages

• sprawling, harmonious bush;
• blooms from June to frost;
• good self-cleaning;
• does not fade in the sun;
• has good health.

disadvantages

• not identified.

Nemo

Rating: 4.9

German breeder Noack bred the Nemo groundcover variety in 2001. The height of the plant is 80-100 cm, and in width it can reach up to 120 cm. The bushes are large, but they look quite compact. The leaves of the variety are medium green, shiny, dense. Often Nemo is used for planting as a hedge.

The flowers are pure white with yellow-orange stamens. Their size is 3-4 cm. They are cupped or flat in shape and are collected in paniculate inflorescences. The buds are pale pink before dissolution. 5-10 roses can be present on 1 stem. Flowering is very abundant, continuous from June to October. Nemo has no scent. Faded inflorescences are best removed by hand.

Florists in the reviews note that Nemo has excellent disease resistance and good winter hardiness. This rose blooms in waves, but the shrub does not remain completely without flowers. These ground cover roses are not afraid of direct sunlight and retain their decent appearance during showers. Even novice rose growers can grow a real beauty.

Advantages

• the plant is large, but compact;
• flowering profuse and almost continuous;
• graceful, non-double flowers;
• excellent disease resistance;
• undemanding in care.

disadvantages

• faded inflorescences must be removed manually.

Candia meillandecor

Rating: 4.8

The French rose Candia Meillandecor is a rather tall (70-80 cm) slender shrub, consisting of arched drooping shoots. The stems are covered with a lot of glossy foliage. The variety grows rapidly. It looks great on slopes or in rockeries. By the end of the season, the bush is strewn with red fruits.

Candia Meillandecor flowers are bright red with a light underside. Also, the stamens of these roses look very decorative. Their diameter is 4-6 cm. Outwardly, they resemble stars. And yellow stamens become a real decoration. There is no aroma in such a ground cover rose. Flowering is very abundant, often recurring and lasting until the very frost.

Amateur gardeners speak very well of Candia Meillandecor. They like that the bushes grow phenomenally quickly, have a high resistance to diseases and are not afraid of frost (they winter without serious shelter). New shoots are constantly growing, which end in an inflorescence of roses. This ground cover variety is highly self-cleaning.

Advantages

• interesting bush shape;
• beautiful, expressive flowers;
• abundant flowering;
• high resistance to diseases;
• hibernates without serious cover;
• perfectly self-cleaning.

disadvantages

• not identified.

Fiona

Rating: 4.7

For more than a decade, the French ground cover rose Fiona has been popular with gardeners around the world. Plant height – 80-100 cm, width – 200 cm. The bush is spreading and has a large number of needles. It grows mainly in breadth. Looks more organic where it can freely travel along the ground. The twigs are strewn with a lot of small, dark, shiny foliage.

Fiona flowers are collected in large clusters and have a faint aroma. They are semi-double, painted in bright red or scarlet, which allows them to be noticed from a distance. A white spot at the base of the bud emphasizes the bright color of the petals. Roses appear in brushes of 5-15 pcs. They are located over the entire surface of the bush. Following them, scarlet fruits ripen.

In the reviews, flower growers report that this variety of ground cover roses is not capricious and it is very easy to cultivate it. Fiona is very disease resistant. But occasionally, under unfavorable conditions, it can be affected by black spot. However, this does not cause significant damage to the ground cover plant. Rose Fiona fits perfectly into landscape design.

Advantages

• beautiful spreading bushes;
• very expressive roses in color;
• abundant flowering;
• good disease resistance.

disadvantages

• may be affected by black spot.

Celina

Rating: 4.6

Celina, a German groundcover rose variety, was bred in 1998. The bush is compact: height – 70-80 cm, width – 80 cm. The foliage is beautiful, shiny, there are few thorns. The rose is shade-tolerant, but it blooms better in sunny, well-lit places. Celina looks spectacular in mass plantings, and also combines well with other plants in complex flower beds.

This groundcover rose has yellow buds and lemon semi-double or double flowers that fade to cream. Each inflorescence has up to 10-25 roses. Each of them lasts about 3-4 days, and then the petals fall off cleanly. Small fruits appear in their place. The first wave of flowering is very active. In the future, the roses bloom less, but the bush still looks very beautiful.

Rose growers speak very well of Celina. They like the continuous flowering, resistance to heat, and also the fact that even when burned out, the flowers remain very attractive and the decorative effect of the bush is preserved. This ground cover rose also has good disease resistance. But during rains and dampness, the petals lose their attractiveness.

Advantages

• compact bush with few thorns;
• beautiful, healthy foliage;
• continuous flowering;
• self-cleaning well;
• not afraid of heat and cold.

disadvantages

• poor resistance to rain.

Rody

Rating: 4.5

The Rody ground cover rose variety has been popular with gardeners since 1994. The bush seems to be dense, as it has a large number of shoots, abundantly covered with leaves. Its shape is spreading – the width reaches 125-200 cm. The shrub reaches a height of 60-70 cm. The shoots are short, arched, drooping under the weight of flowers. Their branching occurs constantly throughout the season.

The flowers have a rich strawberry red color. They are semi-double, but the petals are arranged so that the roses look like pure double. They appear in brushes of 3-12 pieces. The size of the flower is small – about 5 cm. Roses bloom in tassels of 3-12 pieces. During the period of abundant flowering, the bush is covered with roses so much that the foliage is practically invisible.

Florists in the reviews note that Rody is a winter-hardy, vigorous, disease-resistant variety. This groundcover blooms very profusely, therefore it looks like a catchy carpet in a flower bed. Creates maximum decorative effect. But the scent of this beauty is very weak, and she also reacts badly to heavy rain. Occasionally it can be affected by black spot.

Advantages

• dense, beautiful bushes;
• provides maximum decorative effect;
• good winter hardiness;
• resistant to mechanical damage;
• diseases are extremely rare.

disadvantages

• does not tolerate rain.

Lipstick

Rating: 4.4

The collection of the German brand Rosen Tantau has a ground cover rose Lipstick. This variety tends to form a graceful, rounded bush. It grows vertically rather slowly. Its maximum height can be 70-80 cm. The shoots are not thick. This ground cover shrub is well branched. It contains a large number of small dark green leaves.

Lipstick roses semi-double. They are very bright, having a carmine-pink color inside with bright yellow stamens, and white-silver petals on the back. This ground cover rose blooms continuously throughout the season. The roses are distributed throughout the branch, rather than concentrated at the top, which gives the impression of a shrub completely covered with flowers.

Many in the reviews praise this beautiful and fragrant ground cover rose. The flower grower likes that this plant has good resistance to heat and cold. Lipstick practically does not get sick and has medium rain tolerance. With all the airiness and lightness of the bush, it creates the impression of a strong and stable rose.

Advantages

• beautiful bush, constantly blooming;
• fragrant rose;
• flowers are distributed throughout the branch;
• high resistance to disease;
• tolerates heat and cold well.

disadvantages

• grows vertically rather slowly.

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Attention! This rating is subjective and does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.