This is National Mousse Day. "Mousse" is the French word for foam, so our Rose of the Day is Sea Foam.



This wonderful rose was sold to me years ago by Jackson & Perkins as a groundcover rose, but it's at least 5 feet tall in my garden. Mine is grafted, but I believe it grows just as well on its own roots.

That's a beauty, zuzu.

I have Sea Foam growing on her own roots and she does well except for a defoliating attack of black spot every late spring. For me she is both a ground cover and a fence cover and blooms about nine months out of the year. My only complaint is that it is impossible to weed under her due to the growth habit and copious thorns.

I second what Porkpal says about Sea Foam. Mine has 10' long octopus arms, and I pegged a few with rocks, and they rooted quickly. Sea Foam starts blooming early in spring, and was still at it last week. Some blossoms are downright pink, while others are pure white. I wish I had planted this one the banks of the pond. Mine seems to resist all disease, even in this rainy year when so many others got blackspot for the first time.

I love Seafoam, one I lost to RRD and plan to replace. Mine was an own root plant and grew vigorously, in spread faster than height (taller canes receive more winter damage here). The pink blushing has stumped me as to where to plant it this time. That quality didn't work so well in its previous location, but I loved it so much, it remained there till RRD took it. It is a pain to work around, but its performance is worth it. I recall mine keeping clean foliage all year, but I don't trust my memory I'm considering moving 'Caramel Fairy Tale' to a spot where the color will harmonize better, the hole left behind may be a good spot for Seafoam!

My favorite ground cover rose remains 'Ralph's Creeper'. It's certainly not anything near a blushing pink, but it always looks good in this garden.



It has thorns, too, but from what I have read, 'Sea Foam' could be classified as a vampire rose ...

Beautiful!

So bright and cheery!