Ralph’s Creeper is a hybrid rose in the rose family (Rosaceae). It was bred by legendary California miniature rose hybridizer Ralph S. Moore in 1988. He crossed 'Papoose', a climbing miniature (1955), with 'Playboy', a cluster-flowered floribunda (1976). It was introduced in France by Meilland International after 1997 as 'Chunga'. This short, spreading rose grows to a height of 2 to 3 feet and extends to a width of 3 to 5 feet. It prefers regular watering and fertile, well-drained soil. Plant it in full sun, but it can tolerate some shade. It tolerates hard pruning. Ralph’s Creeper produces prolific clusters of fragrant red-orange, semi-double blossoms with yellow centers. Blooming season extends from spring through fall. It is attractive to bees and butterflies. Use this spreading shrub as a groundcover, on a bank, or in a container. Grow in a cutting or English garden. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: See pests of roses to the left. VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers," a plant identification course developed in partnership with Longwood Gardens. 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.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage
Mature size
Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 6 in. | Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (1-3 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect; Spreading
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Ovate
Leaf margin
Serrate
Leaf feel
Leathery
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Small dark green, leathery, semi-glossy
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; Orange; Red/Burgundy
Flower value
Fragrant; Good Cut
Flower shape
Cup
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
Orange-red semi-double blooms in clusters with yellow-orange center and yellow stamens; white underside of the petal. Semi-double blooms; 18 petals. Mild apple blossom fragrance.
Bloom time
Fall; Spring; Summer
Stem detail
Stems have thorns.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
United States
Attracts
Bees; Butterflies
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Slope/Bank
Landscape theme
Butterfly Garden; Cottage Garden; Cutting Garden; English Garden