Rosa x polyantha Ruby Ruby - Polyantha Rose

The Rose 'Ruby Ruby' is a remarkably floriferous miniature landscape rose from May until the first frost, perfect for adding a very elegant touch to terraces and low borders. This little bush bursts into a thousand beautifully formed double roses, of intense red, gathered in generous clusters that shine like rubies against a beautiful dark green foliage resistant to diseases. It will fit anywhere in the garden and will create a sensation in flower pots.

The flowers of the Rose 'Ruby Ruby', gathered in terminal bunches, come from the polyantha rose, an old hybrid derived from Rosa multiflora and Rosa chinensis. It has a particularly compact, bushy habit, in the shape of a dome slightly wider than tall. Slow growing, it will not exceed 50 cm (20in) in height and 60-65 cm (24-26in) in width. The double flowers, 4 cm (2in) wide, beautifully formed in turbinate rosettes of 25 petals, emerge from pointed buds of a cherry red colour. They bloom while maintaining this superb red colour, until they fade. They blossom in very large numbers from May-June to September-October, almost without interruption if the soil remains moist. The fragrance of the flowers is very light. This variety develops dark green, deciduous foliage with a shiny finish, and is not very susceptible to diseases, carried by thorny stems.

Obtained by Tom Carruth (United States), 2004.

The 'Ruby Ruby' rose prefers fertile, deep and moist soils and a sunny exposure. Its low and compact habit, with a neat appearance, works wonders in rockeries, low borders or in a flower pot on the terrace. Plant it in masses along the paths or to highlight shrub masses. It will integrate perfectly with light or opulent perennial beds and pairs well with other dwarf roses like the varieties in the 'Bordure' series from Delbard. You can associate it with yellow to orange blooms for a flamboyant effect, or on the contrary with white, soft pink or blue flowers for a more romantic spirit, according to the tastes of each gardener. For example, it can be associated with perennial geraniums (Geranium 'Blue Cloud', 'Anne Folkard', 'Nimbus', 'Orion', 'Rozanne'), bellflowers (lactiflora, rapunculoides), catmints, snapdragons, foxgloves or other silver baskets and silver-leaved stachys. It is naturally perfect for decorating the terrace or balcony, planted in a beautiful pot, a large planter or a flower box.