In late spring and early summer, a low mound of white double blooms spreads across the front of the border and keeps flowering well after the first flush fades. That is the White Meidiland rose, a ground-hugging shrub rose. Here is where it grows, when to prune it, and what each season asks of you.
What Is the White Meidiland Rose?
White Meidiland is a hybrid miniature shrub in the rose family, bred in France in 1987 by Marie-Louise (Louisette) Meilland. It grows as a wide, low mound rather than a tall bush, reaching 1-3 feet in height. That keeps it below windowsills and fence tops.
The plant spreads far more than it rises, covering 4-7 feet of ground over time. Give it that room from the start, because a rose planted too close to its neighbors ends up crowded and damp.
The flowers are white, double, and borne in large clusters. They open from late spring to early summer and repeat afterward, which is why the plant keeps looking dressed well beyond its first flush.
From the almanac
Roses in your state
The dates on this page depend on where you live. Your state's page carries its frost dates, its USDA zones and the year laid out month by month.
Northeast
Southeast
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maryland
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- North Carolina
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Virginia
- West Virginia
Midwest
Southwest
West
Pacific Northwest
Canada
Where Does the White Meidiland Rose Grow Best?
This rose is hardy in USDA zones 4a through 9b.
- Upper Midwest: In southern Minnesota and Wisconsin, compare your local USDA zone with the rose’s listed range. In colder areas, compare your local USDA zone with the rose’s listed range before planting.
- Northeast and Mid-Atlantic: Compare your local USDA zone with the rose’s listed range.
- Gulf Coast: Compare your local USDA zone with the rose’s listed range.
- South Florida and the Keys: Compare your local USDA zone with the rose’s listed range before planting in South Florida or the Keys.
The state selector just below this section takes you to the page for your own state, where the local timing is laid out.
How to Care for the White Meidiland Rose Through the Year
Waking Up
When growth starts, the plant needs fertile, well-drained soil and a layer of mulch that helps the ground hold moisture. Keep mulch loose around the base so air still reaches the crown.
Pruning
Prune in late winter, after the last foliage has fallen and before new spring growth appears. Start by removing dead, damaged or diseased wood, and cut out every dark brown or black stem.
On a plant more than a few years old, take out about 1/3 of the oldest, thickest branches to encourage new growth. To shorten the plant, trim each branch back to the height and shape you want. Reducing it by 4 to 8 inches is an option, though it is not necessary.
Bloom
Large clusters of double white flowers arrive from late spring into early summer. The blooms repeat afterward, so the plant keeps producing flowers through summer rather than stopping after one flush.
Summer
Water at the soil line instead of from overhead, since wet leaves invite disease. Full sun suits it best, and the mulch laid in spring keeps the roots from drying out between waterings.
Fall
Leaves drop in fall, and that drop is the signal that pruning season is coming. Leave the cutting until late winter and, in the meantime, rake fallen foliage out from under the mound so it does not sit against the canes.
Winter
At the cold edge of its range, check your state page for local winter-protection advice. Use the quiet months to check that nothing crowds the mound, and make a note of dark stems to cut out at pruning time.
White Meidiland Rose Diseases and Weak Points
The plant is listed with good disease resistance. Good disease resistance does not remove the need for sensible spacing and dry foliage.
Avoid crowding and wet foliage. Space the plants generously and water at the base to help prevent disease.
| Threat | How White Meidiland handles it |
|---|---|
| Common rose diseases | Good disease resistance |
| Crowded planting | Avoid crowding to help prevent disease |
| Overhead watering | Water at the base to keep leaves dry |
| Dark brown or black stems | Remove them all at pruning time |
Cutting out dead, damaged and diseased wood each late winter keeps the center of the mound open and clean for the season ahead.
Is the White Meidiland Rose Right for Your Yard?
It suits a gardener with a sunny spot and room to let a shrub spread wide. It needs late-winter pruning, but it does not suit a small, tight bed.
- It fits a sunny border front, a bank, or an open stretch where a low mound can fill the ground.
- It is a poor match for a narrow strip, a cramped bed, or a zone colder than 4a or warmer than 9b.
- Before you buy, open your state page to see the pruning window that applies where you live, then mark it on the calendar.
Common Questions
Can You Grow a White Meidiland Rose in a Container?
Yes. It can be used in a container as well as in the ground. Choose a pot large enough to hold the spreading mound and fill it with fertile, well-drained soil.
Will a White Meidiland Rose Bloom in Shade?
It grows best in full sun but tolerates light shade. Deep shade is a poor fit, so give it the sunniest spot available if you want a full show of flowers.
Can White Meidiland Rose Be Planted on a Slope?
Yes. It works as a ground cover on slopes and can cascade over a rock wall. The wide, low habit covers bare soil, and mulch around the plants helps hold moisture on a hillside.