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best red rose

Looking for the best red rose to transform your New Zealand garden? True red roses are timeless—an emblem of love, beauty, and enduring style. Whether you want climbers draping over trellises, low-maintenance groundcovers, or compact varieties for pots, finding the best red rose depends on your space, sun exposure, and personal gardening taste. With so many cultivars on the market, choosing the top performer for your garden can be challenging. On this page, you'll discover some of the most loved and best red rose options available, alongside a few creative alternatives for that rich red splash.

Clivia miniata 'Red' plants with elegant, red flowers.

Clivia miniata 'Red'

Clivia miniata 'Red' is a striking evergreen perennial prized for its bold red trumpet shaped flowers that appear in late winter and spring. The lush, arching green leaves form an elegant clump, making this a standout choice for shaded New Zealand gardens.

From $20.01

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate
Plant type: Perennials
Height: 60 cm
Spread: 60 cm
Flowering time: Spring, Winter
Tolerances: Extended dry periods, Shade
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Pool areas
Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Tropical
Rose 'Flower Carpet Red' ground cover with masses of red flowers.

Rose 'Flower Carpet Red'

5 from 2 customers

Rose 'Flower Carpet Red' is a popular ground cover rose valued for its rich red flowers and outstanding disease resistance. This tough rose performs exceptionally well in New Zealand gardens, delivering continuous colour from spring through autumn with very little maintenance.

From $34.43

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Rose Plants
Height: 70 cm
Spread: 1.20 m
Flowering time: Spring, Summer, Autumn
Tolerances: Hardy
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Paths & Steps
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern
Purple flowers on Burgundy Iceberg Rose.
Rose 'Burgundy Iceberg'

The 'Burgundy Iceberg' Rose is a striking floribunda rose renowned for its rich burgundy purple blooms, repeat flowering, and exceptional garden...

From$38.57
Escallonia 'Red Knight' growing as a border around the base of a tree.
Escallonia 'Red Knight'

Escallonia 'Red Knight' is a vibrant evergreen shrub prized for its masses of rich red flowers and dense glossy foliage. This hardy variety produces...

From$16.95
camellia-japonica-red-red-rose-3
Camellia 'Red Red Rose'

Camellia 'Red Red Rose' is a striking evergreen shrub known for its rich red blooms that bring bold colour and elegance to New Zealand gardens...

From$32.95
Rose 'Flower Carpet Mini Cherry' plant with masses of red flowers growing in a pot on a patio.
Rose 'Flower Carpet Mini Cherry'

Rose 'Flower Carpet Mini Cherry' is a compact ground cover rose valued for its masses of vibrant cherry red flowers and exceptional disease...

From$34.43
leptospermum-red-falls--3
Leptospermum 'Red Falls'

Leptospermum 'Red Falls' is a striking evergreen shrub admired for its cascading growth habit and masses of vibrant red flowers through spring and...

From$27.53
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Callistemon 'Red Alert'

Callistemon 'Red Alert' is a compact evergreen shrub admired for its brilliant red bottlebrush flowers that appear from spring into summer. The vivid...

From$27.53
Rose 'Flower Carpet Scarlet' plants with red flowers above lush, green foliage.
Rose 'Flower Carpet Scarlet'

Rose Flower Carpet Scarlet is a ground cover rose that features masses of showy, scarlet red flowers. The flowers are complemented with glossy, dark...

From$33.81
Pseudowintera 'Red Glow' rose-coloured foliage.
Pseudowintera Red Glow'

Pseudowintera 'Red Glow' is a bright and vibrant NZ native shrub. New foliage emerges rose-pink and ages to become a fresh green colour. The leaf...

From$27.53
Buddleia 'Royal Red' dark pink flowers and grey-green foliage.
Buddleia 'Royal Red'

Buddleia ‘Royal Red’ is a bold deciduous shrub celebrated for its rich red crimson flower spikes and sweet summer fragrance. Flowering over an...

From$27.53
camellia-roma-red-
Camellia Roma Red

Camellia 'Roma Red' is a striking evergreen shrub known for its rich red blooms and glossy green foliage. It delivers bold winter to spring colour in...

From$34.95
Lagerstroemia 'Crimson Red' showy red flowers.
Lagerstroemia 'Crimson Red'

Lagerstroemia ‘Crimson Red’ is a striking crepe myrtle renowned for its deep crimson summer flowers and attractive upright tree form. Flowering...

From$30.29
weigela-wine-and-roses-2
Weigela 'Wine And Roses'

Weigela 'Wine and Roses' is a striking deciduous shrub renowned for its rich burgundy purple foliage and masses of vibrant rosy pink trumpet shaped...

From$25.53
Callistemon citrinus 'Red Cluster' small tree with masses of red, pendulous flowers.
Callistemon 'Red Cluster' (Red Bottlebrush)

Callistemon 'Red Cluster' is a striking bottlebrush variety valued for its clusters of vivid red flower spikes and dense evergreen foliage. Flowering...

From$37.19
A stunning Albizia julibrissin 'Red Silk' tree with masses of red flowers.
Albizia 'Red Silk'

Albizia 'Red Silk' is a variety of the commonly known Silk Tree, and is grown for its delicate foliage and showy flowers. The fern-like foliage is...

From$344.95
A Loropetalum 'Red Temple' plant with dark purple-red foliage and elegant, pink flowers.
Loropetalum 'Red Temple'

Loropetalum 'Red Temple' produces mildly fragrant, pink-red flowers through winter, which are both unusual and appealing. The foliage on this bushy...

From$28.91
Salvia 'Riverton Red' plant with elegant red flowers and lush, green leaves.
Salvia 'Riverton Red'

Salvia 'Riverton Red' is a striking perennial prized for its vivid red flower spikes that bloom reliably from spring through autumn. This hardy, sun...

From$27.53
Phormium 'Rainbow Red' red and purple striped foliage.
Phormium 'Rainbow Red'

Phormium 'Rainbow Red' is a vibrant New Zealand native flax admired for its bold, arching leaves in shades of bronze, red, and pink. This striking...

From$249.95
grevillea-red-clusters-4
Grevillea 'Red Clusters'

Grevillea 'Red Clusters' is a vibrant evergreen shrub that produces masses of rich red flower clusters throughout the year. Its fine foliage and...

From$24.95
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Acer 'Red Sunset'

Acer 'Red Sunset' is one of the finest deciduous maples for autumn colour, producing a spectacular display of brilliant scarlet and crimson foliage...

From$399.95
salvia-red-2
Salvia 'Red'

Salvia 'Red' (Red Sage) is a vibrant perennial that produces brilliant red flower spikes above aromatic green foliage from late spring until autumn...

From$27.53
azalea-red-wings-
Azalea 'Red Wings'

Azalea 'Red Wings' is a striking evergreen azalea admired for its vivid red flowers that appear in abundance during spring. The vibrant blooms sit...

From$15.95
Carex flagellifera Red plants.
Carex flagellifera Red

Carex flagellifera Red is a NZ native, ornamental grass grown for its colourful and attractive foliage. It produces slender and lush, copper-red...

From$11.50
Photinia 'Red Robin' hedge with colourful foliage.
Photinia 'Red Robin'

Photinia ‘Red Robin’ is a popular evergreen shrub renowned for its vibrant red new growth, which contrasts beautifully with the mature glossy green...

From$18.95
Coprosma Red Rocks with colourful foliage in a garden.
Coprosma 'Red Rocks'

Coprosma 'Red Rocks' is a hardy NZ native shrub known for its rich red toned foliage and tough spreading habit. Naturally found in coastal...

From$17.95
malus-red-jade-1
Malus 'Red Jade'

Malus 'Red Jade' is a graceful weeping crabapple tree admired for its cascading branches, masses of white spring blossom, colourful red ornamental...

From$387.55
Acer palmatum 'Red Emperor' specimen tree in a mixed planting.
Acer 'Red Emperor'

Acer 'Red Emperor' is a striking Japanese maple valued for its rich deep red foliage and strong upright form. This deciduous tree performs...

From$349.95
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Rose Spray

Super Shield Rose Spray is a multipurpose treatment for controlling common pests and diseases that affect roses. It targets problems including...

From$156.96
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Rose Fertiliser

Roses respond exceptionally well to rose fertiliser with better quality flowers and foliage, stronger stems, and a much healthier and brighter...

From$16.95
rose-golden-celebration-
Rose 'Golden Celebration'

'Golden Celebration' Rose is an outstanding English rose celebrated for its large rich golden yellow blooms, strong fragrance, repeat flowering, and...

From$38.57
An informal hedge of 'Iceberg' rose plants with masses of white flowers.
iceberg-roses iceberg-roses

Rosa ‘Iceberg’, one of the world’s most popular roses, is a reliable floribunda variety producing masses of pure white, lightly fragrant blooms from...

From$38.57
Clivia miniata 'Red'

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Callistemon, Camellia, and Clivia, or related Categories - Perennials, Bush Roses, and Carpet Roses.

Search best red rose

What Makes the Best Red Rose?

The best red rose combines deep, classic colour with reliable blooms, robust health, and, ideally, a long flowering season. Gardeners in New Zealand often prioritise disease resistance, ease of care, and weather tolerances. Modern breeding has also given us red roses in a variety of forms, from classic hybrid teas to carpet roses that cover the ground in a tapestry of colour.

Our customers rave about Rose 'Flower Carpet Red' for its exceptional repeat flowering and resilience. For gardeners seeking low-maintenance beauty, this stunning groundcover rose is often considered the best red rose because it flowers profusely from late spring to autumn, thrives in a wide range of conditions, and resists common rose diseases. Its brilliant red blooms are compact yet incredibly eye-catching, making it ideal for borders, banks, or as a feature in pots.

Exploring Top Red Rose Varieties

If you're still deciding on the best red rose for your garden, consider the look you want to achieve. For those who prefer a slightly more dramatic, wine-red effect, Rose 'Burgundy Iceberg' offers a unique, velvety twist on the classic. Its clusters of deep burgundy-red flowers create a vivid accent and provide resilient performance in New Zealand conditions.

Small gardens, patios, or large containers can also enjoy red roses—Rose 'Flower Carpet Mini Cherry' is a compact version that boasts similar easy-care qualities as its larger cousin but in a smaller package, ideal for urban spaces or colourful edging.

Beyond Roses: Red Flowering Shrubs

Longing for shades of red in winter or simply want a mix of textures? Consider pairing your best red rose selection with other red-flowering favourites. Camellia Red Red Rose is a camellia variety boasting intense, rosy-red blooms that arrive at a time when most roses are resting. It delivers a reliable burst of colour when your garden needs it most.

For even more foliage interest, Leucothoe axillaris Curly Red is a broadleaf shrub featuring glossy, curly red leaves and white bell-shaped flowers—a striking companion that enhances red themes all season long.

Choosing and Growing Your Best Red Rose

Choosing the best red rose for your garden comes down to a blend of aesthetics, site suitability, and personal taste. Consider how much space and sunlight you can offer, and whether you prefer a groundcover, a shrub, or a climbing habit. For long-lasting displays and minimal fuss, start with Rose 'Flower Carpet Red' and experiment with companions like Camellia Red Red Rose for year-round garden flair. With the right red rose, your garden will shine with colour, romance, and vibrant health for years to come.

Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

Illustration of plant leaves.
Think you know our range? Austrocylindropuntia vestita (Furry Cactus) and Ficus benjamina variegata are just the beginning — check out Michelia figo, Acer palmatum 'Hanami Nishiki', and Camellia 'Setsugekka'.
–The Plant Company

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