Growth Rate
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- Growth Rate: Fast
- Mature Height: 2 to 3 feet tall.
- Mature Width: 3 to 4 feet wide.
- With its spreading, bushy habit, Ruby™ is ideal for borders, mass plantings, or as a flowering ground cover.
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Colorful leaves
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Flowering
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Yes |
Bloom Color
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Ornamental Berries
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Disease resistant
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Yes |
Cold Tolerant
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No |
Heat Tolerant
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Yes |
Drought Tolerant
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Yes |
Deer Resistant
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No |
Edible
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No |
Wildlife Attraction
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- Wildlife: Rosa Vigorosa® Ruby™ attracts beneficial wildlife.
- Pollinators: Bees, butterflies, and other pollinators are drawn to the continuous blooms, making this rose a great addition to pollinator gardens.
- Deer & Rabbit Resistance: While not fully deer-resistant, the thorny stems help deter browsing animals like deer and rabbits.
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Self-pollinating
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Seasonality
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- Seasonality: Deciduous, losing its leaves in winter and regrowing in spring.
- Blooming Season: Ruby™ blooms from late spring through fall, with continuous flower production throughout the season.
- Winter Dormancy: In colder climates, the plant goes dormant in winter and reemerges in spring with fresh growth
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Ideal For
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- Groundcover Planting
With its spreading habit (about 2–3 ft wide and 1.5–2 ft tall), it's excellent for filling in garden spaces, suppressing weeds, and adding vibrant red color.
- Edging & Borders
Ideal for the front of mixed borders or along walkways, where its compact form and profuse blooms provide a neat, colorful edge.
- Mass Planting
Works well in groupings for dramatic seasonal color, especially in formal beds or public landscapes.
- Containers
Suitable for pots and patio containers where space is limited but long-season color is desired.
- Pollinator-Friendly Gardens
The bright red blooms attract bees and butterflies, supporting pollination and garden biodiversity.
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Leaf Description
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- The foliage is glossy, dark green, and disease-resistant, providing an attractive contrast to the deep red flowers.
- Leaves are compound, with 5 to 7 serrated leaflets per stem, maintaining their healthy appearance throughout the growing season.
- The foliage remains attractive and resistant to common rose diseases such as black spot and powdery mildew.
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Flower Description
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- The flowers are small but produced in large clusters, featuring rich, velvety ruby-red petals that make a bold statement in the garden.
- Each bloom is semi-double, measuring about 2 to 3 inches in diameter, and is slightly fragrant.
- The flowers bloom in flushes throughout the growing season, creating a dense display of color.
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Planting Instructions
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- Plant in early spring or fall to allow the roots to establish before the growing season or winter dormancy.
- Choose a location with well-drained, fertile soil. Amend soil with organic matter like compost to improve drainage and fertility.
- Space plants 2 to 3 feet apart for dense coverage, whether used in mass plantings, borders, or as ground cover.
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Pruning & Maintenance
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- Pruning: Prune in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches to maintain a healthy, compact shape. Deadhead spent flowers throughout the season to encourage continuous blooming.
- Maintenance: This rose is relatively low-maintenance. Apply mulch around the base to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and protect the roots from temperature extremes.
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Water Needs
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Watering Needs: - Water regularly during the first growing season to help establish a strong root system. Once established, provide about 1 to 2 inches of water per week.
- Water at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the foliage, which can lead to fungal diseases.
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Light Needs
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- Full sun is essential for optimal flowering and growth. Ruby™ requires at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day.
- While it tolerates some light shade, full sun ensures the best flower production.
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Harvesting
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For Cut Flowers- Best Time: Early morning when flowers are partially open.
- Technique: Use clean, sharp shears to cut just above a healthy leaf node, encouraging continued growth.
- Aftercare: Strip lower foliage, place stems in clean water, and keep arrangements out of direct sunlight.
For Rose Hips- Development: Allow some blooms to fade naturally by avoiding deadheading in late summer.
- Ripeness: Hips mature by fall, turning reddish and firm.
- Harvesting: Cut hips with sharp pruners, avoiding soft or underdeveloped fruit.
- Use: Rose hips can be used for decorative purposes or to make teas, syrups, and other herbal preparations.
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Fertilizing
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Apply a balanced rose fertilizer in early spring when new growth begins. Continue feeding every 4 to 6 weeks during the growing season to support continuous blooming. Stop fertilizing in late summer to allow the plant to harden off for winter. |
Additional Care Tips
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- Pests & Diseases: Vigorosa® Ruby™ is highly resistant to common rose diseases such as black spot and powdery mildew, making it a reliable choice for disease-prone gardens. Keep an eye out for common pests like aphids, but treat them with insecticidal soap if necessary.
- Cold & Heat Tolerance: Hardy to USDA Zone 5, Ruby™ tolerates cold winters and performs well in both cooler and warmer climates. In hot climates, ensure it gets adequate water to prevent stress.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, Ruby™ is relatively drought-tolerant but will perform best with regular watering during dry spells.
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Pollination
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Ruby™ is pollinated by bees and other insects, with its showy, fragrant blooms drawing pollinators throughout the season. |
Companion Plants
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Nepeta (Catmint) – Soft, lavender-blue flowers and a mounded habit pair well with the vibrant red blooms. Lavandula (Lavender) – Aromatic, purple spikes complement red roses and deter pests. Heuchera (Coral Bells) – Adds colorful, textured foliage underneath or near the rose. Salvia nemorosa – Vertical spikes in blue or violet enhance contrast and structure. Sedum (Stonecrop) – Especially low-growing varieties balance out the rose's shape and thrive in similar conditions. |