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blood rose plant

The blood rose plant is a captivating and mysterious addition to any garden. Sought after for its striking deep red blooms, the blood rose plant has become an icon for lovers of bold and dramatic flowers. With lush foliage and impressive colour, this rose instantly elevates borders, containers, and mixed perennial beds. While New Zealand gardeners may be searching for unusual or rare roses like the blood rose plant, it's important to understand the characteristics of true red roses and how to successfully grow them in our local conditions.

iresine-herbstii-

Iresine herbstii (Blood Leaf)

Iresine herbstii (Blood Leaf) is a colourful foliage plant prized for its vibrant red and purple leaves. The bold foliage provides outstanding contrast and year round interest, making it a popular choice for borders, containers, and tropical style gardens.

From $23.39

Suited to regions: Subtropical
Plant type: Perennials
Height: 75 cm
Spread: 75 cm
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Patios, Pool areas
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Tropical
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Helleborus 'English Thoroughbred Series' (Winter Rose)

Helleborus 'English Thoroughbred Series' is a premium evergreen perennial valued for its elegant winter and early spring flowers and attractive year round foliage.

From $29.95

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Perennials
Height: 45 cm
Spread: 45 cm
Flowering time: Spring, Winter
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Patios, Pool areas
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Tropical
Kniphofia 'Border Ballet' plants in a cottage garden featuring orange flowers and lush green foliage.
Kniphofia 'Border Ballet' (Hot Poker Plant)

Kniphofia 'Border Ballet' is a variety of the commonly known Red Hot Poker, and is grown for its colourful flowers. Stems rise above the foliage...

From$20.63
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
Elegant orange flower on Rose 'Tequila Sunrise'
Rose 'Tequila Sunrise'

Rose 'Tequila Sunrise' is a dazzling floribunda rose admired for its brilliant yellow petals edged boldly in red, creating a fiery sunrise effect...

From$44.09
climbing-rose-cecil-brunner-1
Rose 'Cecil Brunner'

Rose 'Cecil Brunner' is a treasured old fashioned climbing rose, admired for its sprays of small, perfectly shaped soft pink flowers and delicate...

From$30.29
Rose 'Violet Serenity' flowers amidst dark green foliage.
Rose 'Violet Serenity'

Rose 'Violet Serenity' is an elegant flowering rose prized for its violet toned blooms, healthy foliage, and long flowering season. The flowers are...

From$35.81
A border planting of Rose 'Flower Carpet Gold' with masses of yellow flowers.
Rose 'Flower Carpet Gold'

Rose 'Flower Carpet Gold' is a low growing ground cover rose that delivers a bright display of golden yellow blooms across a long flowering season...

From$34.43
Rose 'Flower Carpet Red' ground cover with masses of red flowers.
Rose 'Flower Carpet Red'

Rose 'Flower Carpet Red' is a popular ground cover rose valued for its rich red flowers and outstanding disease resistance. This tough rose performs...

From$34.43
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
Rose 'Flower Carpet Pink' stunning pink flowers.
Rose 'Flower Carpet Pink'

Rose 'Flower Carpet Pink' is a low growing ground cover rose loved for its masses of clear pink flowers, spreading habit, and dependable garden...

From$34.43
super-shield-rose-spray-1
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
rose-spiced-coffee-2
Rose 'Spiced Coffee'

Rose 'Spiced Coffee' is a distinctive flowering rose valued for its unusual warm toned blooms, healthy foliage, and long flowering season. The...

From$44.09
Rose 'Flower Carpet Scarlet' plants with red flowers above lush, green foliage.
Rose 'Flower Carpet Scarlet'

Rose 'Flower Carpet Scarlet' is a low growing ground cover rose that produces a bold display of scarlet red flowers over a long season. Its spreading...

From$33.81
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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
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$34.95
rose-just-joey-
Rose 'Just Joey'

Just Joey Rose is a stunning hybrid tea rose known for its apricot blooms and delightful fragrance. Ideal for adding warm colour and scent to New...

From$55.13
An exquisite flower on 'White Romance' Rose.
Rose 'White Romance'

Rose 'White Romance' is an elegant garden rose with beautiful white flowers that bring a fresh timeless look to NZ gardens. Its neat bushy habit and...

From$38.57
Rose 'Flower Carpet White' plants for sale at The Plant Company nursery.
Rose 'Flower Carpet White'

Rose 'Flower Carpet White' is a popular ground cover rose valued for its masses of pure white flowers and exceptional disease resistance. This tough...

From$34.43
A large cabbage tree growing on a ridge.
Rose 'Lavender Jewel'

Rose 'Lavender Jewel' is a stunning hybrid tea rose admired for its exquisite lavender blooms and strong, sweet fragrance. Each perfectly formed...

From$30.29
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
iris-rose-queen-
Iris 'Rose Queen'

Iris 'Rose Queen' is a beautiful flowering iris that brings graceful form and lovely seasonal colour to NZ gardens. Its distinctive blooms rise above...

From$27.53
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Fertiliser for acid loving plants

Fertiliser for acid loving plants provides targeted nutrition for plants that perform best in acidic soil conditions. It helps support healthy...

From$7.95
agave-americana-variegata--1
Agave americana 'Variegata' (Variegated Century Plant)

Agave americana 'Variegata' is a striking evergreen succulent valued for its bold architectural form and strongly variegated foliage. It forms a...

From$15.95
A strong and studry planting spade.
Ace1 Planting Spade

The Ace 1 planting spade is a must for any gardener. This spade is designed so it can penetrate the ground easily without jarring the wrists in the...

From$225.86
indoor-plant-fertiliser-
Indoor Plant Fertiliser

All potted plants require indoor plant fertiliser. This is particularly important as many nurseries only put enough fertiliser in the pots to last...

From$16.95
10-litre-plant-pots-
10 Litre Thermoformed Plant Pots

These lightweight pots are a cost effective means for growing on plants. They feature a strong and broad rim, have been UV stabilised for NZ...

From$5.76
5-litre-plant-pots-
5 Litre Plant Pots

5 Litre Plant Pots are a practical choice for growing larger shrubs, perennials, grasses, herbs, and young trees. They provide generous root space to...

From$79.20
plant-pots-
2.5 Litre Plant Pots

2.5 Litre Plant Pots are a practical option for growing shrubs, perennials, grasses, herbs, and other developing plants. They provide ample root...

From$37.44
half-litre-plant-pots-
0.5 Litre Plant Pots

0.5 Litre Plant Pots are a practical choice for growing young plants, herbs, seedlings, and smaller ornamentals. Their compact size makes them ideal...

From$23.04
15-litre-plant-pots-
1.5 Litre Plant Pots

1.5 Litre Plant Pots are a practical choice for growing young shrubs, perennials, grasses, herbs, and other developing plants. They provide useful...

From$27.36
3-litre-plant-pots-
3.5 Litre Plant Pots

3.5 Litre Plant Pots are a versatile choice for growing shrubs, perennials, grasses, herbs, and other established plants. They provide generous root...

From$48.96
Iresine herbstii (Blood Leaf)

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Helleborus, Iresine, and Kniphofia, or related Categories - Perennials, Bush Roses, and Carpet Roses.

Search blood rose plant

What Is the Blood Rose Plant?

The term "blood rose plant" commonly refers to roses with exceptionally deep, dark red petals—so vibrant they almost appear pulsating with colour. These roses are celebrated for their romantic style and often make for show-stopping focal points in the garden or as cut flowers in arrangements. While some viral stories and images have circulated online about mythical "bleeding" roses, genuine cultivars like the Rose Blackberry Nip deliver that sought-after, intensely saturated red hue.

Best Blood Red Roses for New Zealand Gardens

If you’re drawn to the blood rose plant look for roses that boast velvety, dark red petals. The Rose Blackberry Nip is a locally beloved choice, valued for its rich plum-red blooms, strong fruity fragrance, and resilience in a variety of garden settings. Another excellent option is Rose Diamonds Forever, which combines vivid colour and robust growth with a lovely fragrance—perfect for those who want drama with reliability.

Though not true roses, other garden favourites like the Portulaca Pazzaz Sunset (Moss Rose Plant) echo the vibrant colour palette with their warm, sunset-hued blossoms and drought tolerance. For a softer touch with a similar palette, consider Hemerocallis Rose Cherub (Rose Daylily), which adds classic cottage garden charm.

Growing and Caring for Blood Red Roses

To keep your blood rose plant healthy and blooming, plant in a sunny spot with at least six hours of direct light daily. Roses prefer free-draining, fertile soil enriched with compost, and benefit from regular watering during hot, dry periods. Mulch helps retain moisture and suppress weeds. Pruning in late winter encourages lush new growth and abundant flowering for the season ahead.

Roses are hungry feeders—apply a specialised rose fertiliser in spring and again after the first flush of blooms for continuous colour. Good air circulation and prompt removal of any diseased leaves help prevent common issues like blackspot and powdery mildew.

More Dramatic Indoor Foliage

For those drawn to the unusual, consider bold indoor plants like the Stromanthe Triostar (Stromanthe Plant). Its colourful, patterned leaves provide eye-catching contrast to the intense red of a blood rose plant, creating a vibrant environment indoors and out.

Shop Blood Rose-Inspired Plants in New Zealand

While the mythic “bleeding” blood rose plant remains elusive, New Zealand gardeners have fantastic options for red roses and companion plants that create a similar wow factor. Browse our collections for Rose Blackberry Nip, Rose Diamonds Forever, Hemerocallis Rose Cherub (Rose Daylily), and Portulaca Pazzaz Sunset (Moss Rose Plant). Create a garden that is truly unforgettable with the dramatic hues and lush textures that only the best plants can offer.

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.
There’s more to explore beyond Lomandra 'Lime Tuff' and Cereus tetragonus — like the subtle beauty of Rosmarinus officinalis, Nandina 'Flirt', and Acer palmatum 'Crimson Queen'.
–The Plant Company

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