Moonriver is a vigorous rose variety that was developed by Wilhelm Kordes III in 1995. Parentage is Sea Foam' × 'Red Max Graf'. It is a member of the rose family (Rosaceae). Moonriver will grow 2-3 feet tall and spread 4-6 feet wide. This shrub prefers full sun and fertile, moist, well-drained soils. Pruning is best completed in late winter to early spring to remove old, dead, crossed and diseased canes. Fertilize in spring and summer and mulch to retain moisture. The mildly fragrant 2" flowers are white with a yellow center, single-petaled and loosely cupped. Blooming will repeat all summer. Dark green compound leaves occur on stems with prickles. Use this plant in mass as a ground cover, in the front border or as a specimen. Use in a cutting, English or cottage garden. It can also be grown in a container. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Susceptible to black spot, powdery mildew, rust and rose rosette. Good air circulation will help curb these diseases. Insect issues can include aphids, beetles, thrips, borers, scale and leafhoppers. See pests of roses to the left. Deer will browse roses. More information on Rosa .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Fills a similar nicheBuddleja Lo & Behold® 'Blue Chip Jr.'Rosa Gourmet Popcorn 'WEOpop'Rosa 'Mister Lincoln'
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Perennial; Rose; Shrub
Life cycle
Perennial; Woody
USDA zones
5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
3 feet-6 feet; 6-feet-12 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in. | Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
High
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Spreading
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Ovate
Leaf margin
Serrate
Leaf feel
Leathery
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Leathery, dark green compound leaves with 5-7 leaflets and serrated margins.
Flower color
White
Flower value
Fragrant; Good Cut; Long Bloom Season; Showy
Flower shape
Cup
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
Pure white petals with a bright yellow center occur in large clusters on long stems. Flowers are 1-2 inches with 5-7 petals. Repeat blooms
Bloom time
Fall; Spring; Summer
Stem detail
Stems with prickles
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Wildlife value
Attracts butterflies.
Attracts
Butterflies
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Patio; Walkways
Landscape theme
Butterfly Garden; Cottage Garden; Cutting Garden; English Garden; Pollinator Garden