WEKSMOPUR – plum-lilac bedding floribunda rose - Carruth
Imagine stepping outside for a short walk in soft rain, the air scented with citrusy and spicy notes from moody, plum-lilac blooms of this compact floribunda, glistening against dark, glossy foliage in your Irish cottage or terraced front garden. Ebb Tide settles in steadily as an own-root shrub, building durable longevity with a quiet, reliable rhythm that suits busy gardeners who prefer simple routines to constant fuss. Its repeat-flowering clusters give waves of colour from early summer onwards, coping gracefully with our damp climate and frequent showers and thriving even where rain and mild humidity test less robust roses. Plant it once with decent drainage and light mulching, then enjoy its compact habit, rich colour, and strong perfume as it matures from rooting in the first year, to leafy framework in the second, to full ornamental presence in the third.
Usage options
| Target area |
Reasoning |
| Small front garden bed by the path |
The compact habit and modest spread make this floribunda ideal along a narrow Dublin terrace path, where it will not overwhelm the space yet still deliver striking purple-plum colour and a strong evening scent for passing householders and visitors seeking easy-care. |
| Cottage-style mixed border |
Abundant repeat-flowering clusters create a continuous ribbon of lilac-plum blooms, weaving through perennials and grasses so the border never looks bare between flushes, offering long seasonal interest for gardeners who appreciate continuity. |
| Low, informal flowering hedge |
Planted at the recommended closer spacing, its dense foliage and consistent flowering form a softly textured, knee- to waist-high screen that gently defines boundaries without heavy pruning, suiting households that value simplicity. |
| Feature rose in a large container |
In a 40–50 litre pot on a sunny doorstep or patio, its compact structure and moderate root system adapt well to container life, with own-root stamina giving years of use if watered and fed regularly, ideal for balcony and courtyard beginners. |
| Family seating area or patio edge |
The strong, clearly perceptible citrusy-spicy fragrance carries on still evenings, so a few plants near seating provide a natural scented “room” outdoors, rewarding those who unwind outside after work and favour fragrance. |
| Clay soil garden with drainage improvement |
Once planted into improved, free-draining pockets in heavier soils, the own-root system becomes long lived and resilient, giving stable shape and flowering for many seasons with minimal replacement, appreciated by planners thinking about long-term value. |
| Pollinator-accent planting in mixed beds |
Although only moderately attractive to insects, its semi-accessible stamens still add some interest for visiting pollinators, especially when teamed with asters and ornamental grasses, appealing to wildlife-friendly gardeners prioritising gentle biodiversity. |
| Low-maintenance family garden borders |
Good resistance to black spot, mildew and rust keeps foliage healthy even when Irish rain and mild humidity test other roses, reducing spray and tidy-up work for busy households who want colour without constant chores and prefer genuine low-maintenance. |
Styling ideas
- Soft-hedged path – Line a narrow front path with evenly spaced plants for a low, scented edging hedge – ideal for families wanting structure without a formal look.
- Cottage-romantic mix – Combine with dwarf asters and airy grasses for a loose, feminine cottage feel – suited to gardeners who enjoy relaxed, “girly” borders.
- Doorstep feature – Grow as a single specimen in a 40–50 litre container by the front door – perfect for urban dwellers craving impact in limited space.
- Evening scent corner – Cluster three plants near a bench or patio table to concentrate the fragrance – appealing to those who unwind outside after work.
- Colour-echo bed – Pair its smoky plum tones with purple salvias and dusky pink perennials – ideal for design-conscious owners seeking a coordinated colour story.
Technical cultivar profile
| Property |
Data |
| Name and registration |
Floribunda bedding rose, registered as WEKsmopur, marketed as Ebb Tide / WEKSMOPUR – plum-lilac bedding floribunda rose, bush form suitable for garden and container use. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Thomas F. Carruth (USA) from complex floribunda and hybrid tea lines, introduced by Weeks Wholesale Rose Grower Inc. in 2006 after breeding work completed in 2001. |
| Awards and recognition |
Certificate of Merit at the National Rose Trial Garden of Australia in 2005 and Most Fragrant Rose at Rose Hills International Rose Trials, United States, in 2011. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Compact, bushy floribunda reaching about 60–85 cm high and 50–70 cm wide, with dense, dark green glossy foliage and relatively sparse thorns, suited to beds, borders and pots. |
| Flower morphology |
Large, double, cup-shaped blooms 7–10 cm across, 26–39 petals, carried in small clusters of one to five per stem, remontant with an abundant second flush and repeat waves later. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Deep plum-lilac with a subtle smoky tone, darker bud tips, RHS 59A outer and 71A inner; colour holds best in cooler, less intense sun, fading somewhat in hot, direct conditions. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Strong, clearly perceptible scent combining citrusy brightness with spicy, slightly resinous notes; fragrance evident in average garden conditions and especially noticeable in calm evenings. |
| Hip characteristics |
Forms moderate quantities of spherical hips, 12–16 mm across, in orange-red tones (RHS 28B–30B), adding subtle late-season interest where spent blooms are not completely deadheaded. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Good resistance to black spot, powdery mildew and rust; winter-hardy to about −21 to −18 °C (USDA 6b, RHS H7), coping well with typical Irish winters when soil is not waterlogged. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Prefers full sun, well-drained soil and regular watering in dry spells; plant 50–60 cm apart in beds, 100 cm as specimens; maintain with light pruning and occasional deadheading for best display. |
WEKSMOPUR offers rich plum-lilac clusters, strong evening fragrance and healthy, compact growth on a long-lived own-root framework, making it a thoughtful choice for those planning a beautiful, enduring garden.
