WEKSMOPUR – plum-lilac bedding floribunda rose - Carruth
Velvety clusters of plum-lilac blooms make this compact floribunda an ideal choice for neat, colour-rich front gardens and low borders where you want impact without fuss. Its strong, spicy-citrus fragrance is rare in such a reliable bedding rose, bringing scented character close to the house and paths. Dense, glossy dark green foliage creates a tidy, well-dressed shrub that holds its shape with minimal attention, even in smaller plots. Bred for excellent disease resistance, it stays presentable in typical British humidity with only basic care, while own-root resilience supports a long-lived, regenerating bush that settles securely even where wind and rain regularly sweep through coastal gardens. In the first year it concentrates on roots, in the second on strong shoots, and by the third it reaches its full ornamental value, giving you a stable, easy-care feature for family gardens that prefers sun yet works well in everyday, no-nonsense borders.
Usage options
| Target area |
Reasoning |
| Front garden feature by the entrance |
The rich plum-lilac colour and strong citrus-spicy scent stand out beautifully near paths and doorways, giving a welcoming, “proper rose” feel in a compact space. Reliable repeat flowering and good disease resistance keep it looking smart for busy homeowners. |
| Low bedding and edging in mixed borders |
Its compact habit and 60 cm spacing suit neat, low front-of-border runs where you want structure without constant clipping. Clusters of medium-sized, double blooms knit together into a continuous band of colour, ideal for simple, tidy schemes for beginners. |
| Small group planting in cottage-style beds |
Planted in groups of three to five, the smoky plum flowers create a deep, moody accent among traditional perennials. Own-root plants gradually form balanced bushes that age gracefully, offering long-term charm for relaxed yet dependable gardeners. |
| Patio and terrace containers (40–50 litres+) |
In a large, well-drained container of at least 40–50 litres, its compact size, repeat bloom and strong scent make a characterful patio rose. Sparse prickles and tidy foliage make day-to-day care straightforward for compact outdoor spaces and urban balconies. |
| Low informal hedge along paths or drives |
At around 60–85 cm high, it lines paths with uniform, fragrant colour without overwhelming the view. Regular repeat flowering and robust health mean only light pruning and deadheading; over time, own-root stability supports a durable edging for family gardens. |
| Easy-care rose bed for busy households |
Strong disease resistance and moderate self-cleaning make it a practical choice when you want flowers more than gardening chores. With adequate watering and feeding, it settles quickly from the 2-litre pot and performs reliably for time-pressed families. |
| Accent rose in clay or challenging soils with drainage |
Once planted into improved, free-draining spots or raised beds, own-root vigour and a compact frame help it establish securely despite heavier soils, reducing the risk of failures and replacements for cautious, value-conscious buyers. |
| Cut flowers from a small garden bed |
Clustered, double blooms on sturdy stems provide short-stemmed, strongly scented cuts for the house. Regular picking encourages more flowers, so even a modest bed can supply vases through the season, pleasing fragrance-loving home arrangers. |
Styling ideas
- Cottage Harmony – Combine with soft pink roses and blue catmint for a relaxed, traditional border where the plum-lilac blooms add depth – ideal for lovers of romantic cottage gardens.
- Front-Door Focus – Flank the entrance with two large containers of this rose underplanted with white lobelia, giving a scented, formal welcome – suited to homeowners wanting instant kerb appeal.
- Moody Mix – Pair with dark-leaved heucheras and silver foliage such as Artemisia to highlight the velvety petals in contemporary beds – appealing to design-conscious small-garden owners.
- Family-Friendly Edge – Use in a low row along a lawn or path, backed with dwarf asters for late colour, to keep borders tidy yet playful – perfect for busy families wanting easy structure.
- Patio Perfume – Plant in a 50-litre tub with trailing thyme and compact grasses for texture around the base, bringing fragrance right to seating areas – great for urban gardeners with limited space.
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter |
Data |
| Name and registration |
Floribunda bed rose, registered as WEKsmopur, marketed as Weksmopur Bedding rose WEKsmopur, with American Rose Society exhibition name ‘Ebb Tide’, bush rose; fragrant floribunda. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Thomas F. Carruth (USA, 2001) for Weeks Wholesale Rose Grower Inc.; complex parentage including ‘Sweet Chariot’, ‘Blue Nile’, ‘Stephen’s Big Purple’ and Rosa soulieana derivatives; introduced 2006. |
| Awards and recognition |
Certificate of Merit at the National Rose Trial Garden of Australia in 2005 and Most Fragrant Rose at the Rose Hills International Rose Trials in the United States in 2011. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Compact, bushy plant 60–85 cm high and 50–70 cm wide, with dense, glossy dark green foliage and sparse prickles; medium self-cleaning so deadheading improves appearance and flowering continuity. |
| Flower morphology |
Double, cup-shaped floribunda blooms with 26–39 petals and a velvety texture, produced in clusters of one to five per stem; large flower size in the 7–10 cm range and strong remontant repeat flushes. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Deep plum-lilac petals with a subtle smoky tone; RHS 59A outer and 71A inner; colour deepens in cooler weather and fades somewhat in strong sun, with flowers darkening elegantly towards the petal edges. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Strong, clearly perceptible scent with a distinctive citrusy, spicy character; fragrance intensity makes it suitable for planting near seating, entrances and paths where close-up enjoyment is a priority. |
| Hip characteristics |
Forms moderate quantities of spherical hips, 12–16 mm in diameter, in orange-red shades RHS 28B–30B, adding late-season interest if spent flowers are not removed after the main flowering period. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Good overall disease resistance, with strong performance against powdery mildew, black spot and rust; winter hardy to approximately –21 to –18 °C, corresponding to RHS H7 and USDA zone 6b, Swedish zone 3. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Best in full sun with regular watering in dry spells; recommended spacing 60 cm in mass plantings, 50 cm in hedges, 100 cm as specimen; suitable for beds, edging, large containers and cutting. |
WEKsmopur offers richly coloured, strongly fragrant, compact bedding displays on a healthy, own-root bush that settles for the long term, making it a thoughtful choice if you want dependable character in a modest space.
