Rosa 'Happenstance' (GC)

RHS Plant Profile
rose 'Happenstance'

Synonyms

Rosa 'Baby Mermaid'

Plants for pollinators
Roses

Spreading shrubby form of the climbing rose 'Mermaid', about 75-90cm tall and 1.2m wide, with the characteristic, glossy, almost evergreen foliage and stems bearing hooked thorns. Fragrant, single, lemon-yellow blooms with pronounced golden-brown stamens repeat-flower through summer to autumn; needs a sheltered warm garden to thrive

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
1-1.5 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H5

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Rosaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Semi evergreen, Evergreen
Habit
Spreading branched, Trailing
Potentially harmful
Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus
Rosa can be deciduous or semi-evergreen shrubs or scrambling climbers, with usually thorny stems bearing compound pinnate leaves and solitary or clustered flowers. Flowers may be followed by showy red or purple fruits in some varieties.
Name Status
Accepted
Horticultural Group
Ground Cover roses are low, spreading shrubs with small, glossy leaves and clusters of single or double, occasionally slightly fragrant, flowers in summer, usually repeat-flowering

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil in full sun with shelter from cold, frosty winds. At its best in the warmer southern areas in the British Isles. Mulch with well-rotted organic matter in late winter or early spring, and for best flowering apply a general rose or shrub fertiliser in early spring and again in early summer. See rose cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by hardwood cuttings in autumn, softwood cuttings (under glass) in spring or summer or by chip budding in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Cut flowers
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Ground cover

Pruning

See pruning group 19 (groundcover roses)

Diseases

May be susceptible to rose black spot, rose rust, replant disease, rose dieback, and rose powdery mildew and sometimes honey fungus. May also be susceptible to disorders rose blindness and flower balling