APACHE ® – red groundcover rose – Kordes
APACHE ® brings a sweep of low, ruby-red colour to coastal and family gardens, forming a dense, spreading carpet that suppresses weeds and keeps borders looking finished with minimal effort. Bred by Kordes for strong health, it shrugs off common rose diseases and copes well with brisk seaside breezes and salt‑touched air by combining resilient roots with sturdy, arching stems. Clusters of single, vivid red blooms appear in generous flushes through summer, self‑cleaning neatly so you are not tied to constant deadheading, while dark green, glossy foliage gives a smart, structured background all season. Supplied as a pharmaROSA® ORIGINAL 2‑litre own‑root plant, it settles in steadily and repays you over time – roots establishing in year one, top growth filling out in year two, and full ornamental impact from about year three – ideal if you want lasting, low‑maintenance structure in a small to medium family plot or on a sheltered coastal veranda.
Usage options
| Target area |
Reasoning |
| Small coastal front garden bed near a veranda |
The compact, spreading habit forms a low, tidy groundcover that copes well with breezy, salt‑influenced conditions while needing very little ongoing attention. Ideal for those wanting seaside character without demanding care, especially beginners. |
| Shingle or gravel strip along a driveway |
APACHE ® roots firmly and spreads into a weed‑suppressing mat, so once established it needs only occasional trimming at the edges. Remontant flowering keeps the strip colourful through summer for busy homeowners. |
| Low flowering hedge edging a family lawn |
Planting at hedge spacing creates a continuous band of dark foliage and red flowers that children and pets can brush past without towering thorns overhead. Little pruning and self‑cleaning blooms suit time‑pressed parents. |
| Large container or trough on a sheltered coastal veranda |
In a 40–50 litre container, its arching stems spill attractively over the rim while dense foliage shades the compost, helping retain moisture and reducing watering frequency for urban balcony and veranda gardeners. |
| Mixed coastal border with grasses and perennials |
The vivid scarlet flowers and glossy leaves contrast beautifully with sea kale, Festuca and Lavandula, while the rose’s robust health and minimal maintenance requirement keep the scheme dependable for style‑focused owners. |
| Low‑maintenance family front garden foundation planting |
Own‑root growth gives long‑term stability and reliable regrowth after harsh winters or accidental damage, so the planting keeps its look for many years with only simple seasonal tidying, reassuring cautious new gardeners. |
| Pollinator‑friendly strip by a path or seating area |
The single, open flowers offer easy access to pollen, encouraging bees and other beneficial insects while still presenting a neat, modern look that fits contemporary gardens valued by environmentally aware buyers. |
| Sunny clay border improved with drainage |
Once planted into well‑prepared, free‑draining soil, APACHE ® forms a dense, anchoring root system that rides out winter wet and summer dry spells with little intervention, suiting practical, low‑input gardeners. |
Styling ideas
- Harbour-Edge Border – mass plant APACHE ® beside shingle, weaving in sea kale and blue Festuca for a breezy Cornish feel – ideal for coastal-style lovers.
- Ruby Ribbon – create a low, sinuous hedge along a front lawn, underplanting with spring bulbs for extra sparkle – suited to family homeowners.
- Veranda Cascade – one plant in a 40–50 litre trough, spilling over the edge with trailing thyme and ornamental sage – perfect for small veranda spaces.
- Modern Red Matrix – grid‑plant in gravel with blocks of Pennisetum and Perovskia for a contemporary, low‑care scheme – good for busy urban gardeners.
- Pollinator Pathway – line a sunny path with APACHE ®, interspersed with lavender clumps to draw bees and soften hard edges – appealing to wildlife-conscious families.
Technical cultivar profile
| Feature |
Data |
| Name and registration |
APACHE ® – red groundcover rose – KORcatemp; groundcover shrub in the Ground cover collection, commercial type groundcover rose; registered cultivar name KORcatemp, verified authenticity for vivianarose.co.uk. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Tim-Hermann Kordes at W. Kordes’ Söhne, Germany; breeding year 2000, introduced 2009 in Germany; parentage unknown but selected within the Kordes landscape and groundcover breeding lines. |
| Awards and recognition |
Goldene Rose gold medal Baden-Baden 2009; Bronze Medal and Irwin Award for Most Resistant Rose in the National Rose Trial Garden of Australia 2013; Journalists' Special Prize at Monza, Italy. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Spreading groundcover shrub reaching about 50–90 cm in height and 60–100 cm in width, with dense, slightly glossy dark green foliage and moderate prickliness; forms a low, arching carpet effect. |
| Flower morphology |
Single, flat, cluster‑flowered blooms of medium size (approx. 1.5–2.75 in) with around 5–12 petals; remontant habit gives strong first flush and abundant later flowering, enhanced by good self‑cleaning. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Intense scarlet red flowers (RHS 46B outer, 46A inner) that deepen slightly to ruby red without fading; vivid golden stamens provide strong contrast; colour retention is excellent in sun and over the season. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Fragrance very weak, with only a light classic rose character on close inspection; bred primarily for colour impact, health and landscape effect rather than for strong scent, making it unobtrusive near seating. |
| Hip characteristics |
Moderate production of small, spherical red hips about 8–12 mm in diameter; hips add a discreet autumn accent without overwhelming the plant’s tidy groundcover appearance. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
High disease resistance including to powdery mildew, black spot and rust; hardy to approximately −26 to −23 °C (RHS H7, USDA 5b, Swedish Zone 4); suitable for warm, dry summers with moderate drought. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Best in full sun with free‑draining soil; low maintenance once established. Recommended spacings: 50 cm for mass planting, 40 cm for hedges, 75 cm for solitary specimens; plant 4–4.8 per m² for full cover. |
APACHE ® – red groundcover rose – Kordes offers vivid long-season colour, excellent health and dependable groundcover structure on a durable own-root plant, making it a thoughtful choice for relaxed, enduring coastal or family gardens.
