Uniform, intense crimson‑purple shade with a subtle lilac shimmer. - groundcover rose - unscented rose - no noticeable fragrance
– Vivid crimson‑lilac rosettes in rich clusters.
– Flowering generously with a strong repeat flush.
– Excellent disease resistance, ideal for low‑spray care.
– Spreading, prostrate habit gives dense groundcover.
– Robust in heat and moderate drought, urban‑tolerant.
– Special feature: Award‑winning groundcover bred for low‑maintenance public and private plantings.
Thoughtfully curated range – Natural plant habit
eleanorROSE® ORIGINAL 2-litre own-root potted rose
18,50 £
Unfortunately, we are currently unable to ship to the United Kingdom; we only deliver to countries within the European Union. For more information, please contact us!
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PURPLE RAIN ® – violet-purple groundcover rose - Kordes
Step through your front gate after rain and PURPLE RAIN ® greets you with a low, shimmering carpet of colour, its compact, spreading habit naturally softening paving, gravel and edges while coping well with cool, wet weather and heavier soils in typical British family gardens. This Vigorosa® shrub rose is bred for balance between showy, crimson-lilac bloom clusters and unfussy, reliable performance, so you can enjoy season-long flowering with minimal deadheading thanks to its self-cleaning habit. On its own roots it builds quietly from strong roots in the first year to bushier coverage in the second and a dense, long-lived ground-hugging canopy by the third, giving stable structure, easy shaping and very low routine maintenance in busy urban front gardens and small shared spaces.
Purple Rain ® with mid-green, slightly glossy foliage.
Close-up of Purple Rain® showing the thorny stem.
Usage options
Target area
Reasoning
Small London front garden groundcover
Compact height and spreading habit create a neat, low carpet that hides bare soil and suppresses weeds, ideal for tight front gardens where space is limited and views must stay open for paths, bins and parking, especially for busy homeowners
Rainwater-friendly planting strip by pavement
Dense groundcover foliage helps slow and catch rainwater run-off from steps and paving while tolerating cooler, wetter conditions and heavier soils often found by pavements and drives, well suited to urban garden owners
Low-maintenance edging along paths
Its self-cleaning flowers drop spent blooms without constant deadheading, keeping borders tidy with little effort, while the modest height means no staking or frequent clipping is needed, making it perfect for time-poor beginners
Own-root shrub for long-lived family beds
Grown on its own roots, this rose establishes for the long term, regenerating well from the base if pruned hard or weather-damaged, and building a stable, reliable framework that suits evolving family gardens and practical planners
Container or large planter (40–50 litres+)
In a generous 40–50 litre or larger pot with good drainage, its spreading habit shapes a rounded dome of colour on patios, balconies or doorsteps, providing an easy-care focal point for balcony residents
Low rose hedge in front of taller shrubs
Recommended spacings allow you to form a continuous, low hedge that screens the base of fences or evergreen shrubs, giving a soft transition from hard boundaries to planting, ideal for small-garden designers
Stress-tolerant planting in urban heat
Bred for good heat and moderate drought tolerance, it stays presentable through hotter spells with only occasional deep watering, maintaining structure and foliage in paved, reflective courtyards that challenge more delicate plants, reassuring for city dwellers
Family-friendly, robust play-area borders
Its naturally low, spreading structure and strong health rating mean fewer chemical treatments and simple yearly pruning, so borders around lawns, play spaces or seating areas remain attractive yet straightforward to manage for family gardeners
Styling ideas
Terrace-Romance – Underplant PURPLE RAIN ® with soft sweet alyssum to spill over gravel in a narrow front garden, creating a gently scented, low carpet that suits busy professionals with limited time.
Urban-Edge – Line a short path with this rose and drought-tolerant nepeta in a permeable, rainwater-absorbing border for a clean yet relaxed look that appeals to sustainability-minded homeowners.
Carpet-Canvas – Use PURPLE RAIN ® as a broad groundcover in front of structural evergreens like compact laurels, ideal for families wanting simple shapes and long-term structure.
Balcony-Bowl – Plant a single rose in a 50 litre container with free-draining peat-free compost and a few trailing herbs, perfect for balcony gardeners who value colour with very low upkeep.
Pastel-Partner – Combine its crimson-lilac clusters with soft pink sage and dusky lavender for a calm, balanced palette that suits those seeking a gentle, “girly” front-garden feel.
Technical cultivar profile
Characteristic
Data
Name and registration
Groundcover shrub rose from the Vigorosa® collection; registered as KORpurlig, marketed as Purple Rain ® Vigorosa® KORpurlig; ARS exhibition name Purple Rain for show and catalogue use.
Origin and breeding
Hybrid of ‘Bassino’ × ‘KORpeligo’, bred by Tim-Hermann Kordes at W. Kordes’ Söhne in Germany; bred 1998, introduced and registered in 2009 through European and US distributors.
Awards and recognition
Recognised with multiple distinctions including a Silver Medal at the Wilhelmsburg International Rose Competition 2013 and a Certificate at the Hradec Králové Rose Competition 2014.
Growth and structural characteristics
Compact, spreading, prostrate habit reaching about 40–65 cm high and 60–100 cm wide; moderately dense, mid-green foliage with slight gloss and moderate prickles, forming an effective low groundcover.
Flower morphology
Very full, rosette-shaped clusters of small flowers around 0.5–1.5 inches, each with 40 or more petals; freely repeating through the season with a generous second flush, good self-cleaning of spent blooms.
Colour data and phenology
Intense crimson-lilac blooms with lilac shimmer; buds deep crimson-purple, opening vivid violet with reddish depth, then softening to pastel violet-purple with rosy-lilac sheen; RHS 77B outer, 77A inner petals.
Fragrance and aroma
Flowers are effectively unscented with no notable fragrance; very double form means showy visual effect is prioritised over scent, better suited where colour impact is more important than perfume.
Hip characteristics
Produces modest numbers of small, spherical green hips about 5–8 mm in diameter; hips are not generally a major ornamental feature and may be partly hidden within the foliage canopy.
Resistance and winter hardiness
Rated highly resistant to key fungal diseases including black spot, powdery mildew and rust; hardy to around –26 to –23 °C (RHS H7, USDA 5b), suitable for exposed, colder and urban microclimates.
Horticultural recommendations
Low-maintenance groundcover for beds, parks, edging, containers and urban spaces; plant about 65 cm apart for mass cover; tolerates partial shade and moderate drought but prefers well-drained, fertile soil.
PURPLE RAIN ® offers long-season colour, self-cleaning flowers and durable, stress-tolerant groundcover on its own roots for a stable, low-effort feature in compact, modern gardens, making it a thoughtful choice to consider for your planting plans.
Meaning of Cultivar Name:
The meaning of "Purple Rain" is "Purple rain", and it refers to the flowers' vivid lilac‑purple shade and their long‑lasting, prolific flowering.
Competition and Show Awards:
Hradec Králové Rose Competition – Certificate (2014); Multiple international gold and bronze distinctions (various European display gardens); Wilhelmsburg International Rose Competition – Silver Medal (2013)
Closed Bud:
Deep, dark crimson‑purple surface with a slightly glossy sheen.
Newly Opened Flower:
Vivid, rich violet petals with a subtle reddish‑purple depth.
Full Bloom:
Rich, deep crimson‑purple bloom, the inner petals a shade darker.
Before Fading:
Lightening, turning into a pastel violet‑purple with a soft rosy‑lilac sheen.
Colour Fading Description:
The colour holds well; towards the end of flowering the rich crimson‑purple shade slightly lightens, becoming more pastel with a soft pinkish‑purple glow.
Pollinator Attraction:
The very double flower form of this rose does not attract pollinators because the dense, fully double petals hide and block access to the stamens, making nectar and pollen largely inaccessible to visiting insects.
Heat and Drought Tolerance Description:
According to descriptions, it tolerates heat and moderate drought well; during prolonged drought it requires watering.
Comment:
Characterised by very good urban tolerance - stable even with heat; drier periods; and intensive development. Groundcover selected specifically for low‑chemical maintenance.
Our product is a rose grown with pharmaROSA®’s unique cultivation technology!
2-litre, own-root, potted rose.
With a shoot system appropriate to the season.
With a root system that thoroughly permeates the growing medium.
Quality compliant with the requirements of the E.N.A. (European Nurserystock Association).
Supplied in unique packaging that prevents damage.
Can be planted during frost-free periods.
True-to-variety rose bush with a unique identifier.
The pharmaROSA® own-root potted rose is a well-rooted plant that supports reliable establishment when planted and cared for properly, so it can be planted whenever the soil is not frozen.
Crop overview: several varieties and growth stages in a short crop section.Shoot system: intensive growth of fresh basal shoots on a young plant.Root system: demonstration of a vigorous root system permeating the growing medium, by removing the pot.Balance: mature plant with root system and shoots in harmony with each other.
Information about the videos
The video series is not a “seasonal showcase”; it illustrates the essence of pharmaROSA® own-root cultivation in a tangible way: how the plant is built up, what the root system is like and how the shoot system regenerates. The recordings were therefore made at different times and with plants at various stages of development, so mixed foliage levels and differing stages of growth may appear in the videos. They are not a ‘sample’ of the batch dispatched, but a visual explanation of how the technology works. The current condition of the rose available to order — typical for the given period and similar to what you can expect to receive in the parcel — is shown in the upper part of the product page.
Pages for private customers Garden roses for the family garden, with minimal care → ORIGINAL® Premium garden roses – instant impact, a truly showpiece garden → EXTRA® Pages for professionals and private customers Roses for public spaces – large areas, sustainable maintenance → NATURAL® Roses for projects – hedge and row planting, fast implementation → RAPID® For professional partners only Production – propagation material for garden roses, wholesale → NEONATAL®
Company details
PharmaRosa Ltd. Company registration number: 01-09-717479 VAT number: 13075314-2-43 Plant health registration no.: HU130721 Bank account (IBAN): HU85117631891388688400000000 BIC (SWIFT): OTPVHUHB Bank name: OTP Bank Nyrt.
