BLUEBERRY HILL® – lavender bedding floribunda rose - Carruth
Bring the feeling of tea on a breezy Cornish afternoon into your own garden with BLUEBERRY HILL®, a lavender floribunda bred for relaxed, long-season colour rather than complicated care. Its semi-double, cup-shaped blooms in shifting tones of silvery lavender to soft pink create a playful, girly mood that suits coastal-style decking, shingle beds and small family plots alike. Planted in a free-draining bed or a roomy 40–50 litre container, it copes steadily with gusty weather and salt-tinged air by forming a well-anchored, bushy structure that keeps its shape. Over time, the own-root form quietly builds stamina – roots strengthening first, then shoots filling out, and by the third year the plant settles into full character with ample colour and dependable structure. Medium-height, slightly thorny but easy to handle, it offers an approachable way to enjoy a distinctive fragrance-washed lavender rose without needing a large plot or advanced skills, especially when combined with simple mulching and thoughtful watering.
Usage options
| Target area |
Reasoning |
| Coastal veranda container (40–50 litres) |
A sturdy, bushy habit and moderate height make this rose ideal for large pots on a breezy veranda where space is limited but impact matters; the own-root form settles securely in roomy containers and builds long-term structure – ideal for beginners. |
| Small family flowerbed near seating |
The semi-double, lavender blooms with fresh, apple-rose scent are best enjoyed up close, so a bed beside a seating area or tea corner lets you appreciate the changing tones through the season – perfect for scent-focused homeowners. |
| Low informal hedge along a path |
Planted at 60 cm intervals, the upright, clump-forming habit creates a soft-edged, lavender-toned line that defines paths without feeling rigid, while self-cleaning flowers help retain a tidy look with less deadheading for time-pressed gardeners. |
| Mixed coastal-style shingle border |
Its bushy frame acts as a visual anchor among grasses and perennials, giving rounded shape and steady colour against looser plants such as sea kale and Festuca, suiting relaxed, seaside-inspired designers. |
| Urban front garden feature |
Compact yet eye-catching, it offers a strong focal point in modest front gardens, pairing well with lavender and silvery foliage while the own-root endurance reduces the need for frequent replacement, appealing to busy urban residents. |
| Mass bedding in sunny borders |
At the recommended 70 cm spacing for mass planting, the uniform height and clustered flowers create a coherent lavender carpet, giving high decorative value in public-style or shared spaces for colour-loving neighbours. |
| Sheltered, windy garden corners |
In a position with decent sun and reasonable drainage, its upright, densely foliated habit copes with blustery conditions while still flowering reliably over a long season, offering structure and colour for exposed-site owners. |
| Long-term own-root planting scheme |
As an own-root rose, it regenerates well from the base, keeping varietal character even if cut back hard, which supports long-lived schemes where you want stable colour and form without demanding specialist skills from casual planters. |
Styling ideas
- Seaside-Tea Nook – Place in a 50 litre tub by a bistro set, underplant with soft Festuca and sea kale to echo shingle colours – suited to coastal veranda relaxers.
- Lavender-Ribbon Border – Line a garden path at 60 cm spacing and intersperse with low lavender and sea thrift for a fragrant, feminine edge – ideal for romantic path-lovers.
- Shingle-Dream Bed – In a gravel bed, combine with sea kale and blue grasses so the bushy form anchors looser textures – good for maintenance-light stylists.
- Urban-Showcase Pot – Use a single specimen in a cube planter by the front door, with white Scabiosa for contrast, to deliver high impact in little space – perfect for city-front improvers.
- Pastel-Playground Mix – Pair with foxgloves and soft pink perennials in a family bed where the lavender blooms set a cheerful, girlish tone – appealing to colour-happy families.
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter |
Data |
| Name and registration |
BLUEBERRY HILL® bedding floribunda (WEKcryplag), floribunda shrub rose registered with the ARS; approved exhibition name Blueberry Hill, belonging to the bed rose commercial group. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Tom Carruth (USA) from ‘Crystalline’ × ‘Playgirl’; introduced and initially distributed by Weeks Wholesale Rose Growers, Inc. in 1997, with US plant patent PP10 072 granted that year. |
| Awards and recognition |
Recognised for its ornamental qualities with the Portland Gold Medal in 2002, confirming its value as an exhibition-worthy floribunda with distinctive lavender colouring and consistent garden performance. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Medium-sized, bushy, upright shrub reaching about 95–130 cm high and 85–115 cm wide; dense, dark green, slightly glossy foliage and only slight thorniness make it manageable in family gardens and public beds. |
| Flower morphology |
Semi-double, cup-shaped blooms, 13–25 petals, produced in clusters on branching stems; large flower size in the 2.75–3.95 inch range with good remontancy and an abundant second flush after the first flowering wave. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Lavender-purple with a delicate pink tint; buds deep bluish violet, opening to mid lavender that lightens in strong sun and intensifies in cool weather; ARS code M, RHS 75B outer, 75C inner petals. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Noticeable, medium-strength fragrance combining fresh apple and classic rose notes; best appreciated near seating or paths where repeated, close contact allows you to enjoy the scent in different weather conditions. |
| Hip characteristics |
Produces small quantities of ellipsoid red hips, around 12–18 mm in diameter, adding minor seasonal interest without overwhelming the plant’s main display; hips are typically secondary to the floral effect. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Very susceptible to powdery mildew, black spot and rust, so regular, proactive plant protection is essential; hardy to approximately −26 to −23 °C (RHS H7, USDA 5b, Swedish Zone 4) with appropriate care. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Prefers a sunny position with decent drainage and consistent watering in dry spells; recommended spacing: 70 cm for mass planting, 60 cm for hedges, 110 cm for solitary use, at about two to 2.3 plants per square metre. |
BLUEBERRY HILL® offers compact, bushy structure, long-season lavender blooms and regenerating own-root durability; consider it if you want lasting coastal-style colour with manageable care needs.
