Shrub rose (Rosa 'WEKmoridahor' TOP GUN)
Rosa 'WEKmoridahor' TOP GUN is a vigorous Shrub rose with showy, fragrant red blooms from May to September, Zones 4-9.
Scroll down to discover growing tips, care requirements, companion plants, and more
Complete Plant Information
Overview
The Rosa ‘WEKmoridahor’ TOP GUN is a robust hybrid shrub rose valued for its outstanding disease resistance and continuous floral output. Gardeners appreciate this cultivar, often sold simply as TOP GUN, for providing vibrant red color across the extended bloom season of late spring into fall. As a tough, medium-sized deciduous shrub, it offers excellent performance in mixed borders or when used formally as hedging material.
This particular variety, Rosa ‘WEKmoridahor’ TOP GUN, matures reliably between 3 to 4 feet tall and wide, fitting well into many landscape situations where larger shrub roses might overwhelm the space. Its semi-double, 3-inch red blooms are borne in clusters, providing impressive visual impact throughout the warmer months.
Its vigor and noted resistance to several common rose maladies make the Shrub rose an increasingly popular choice for both novice and experienced rose enthusiasts seeking reliable performance. Cultivate this plant in sunny spots for the best combination of flowering and health.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Rosaceae
- Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 4-9
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 3-4 ft
- Spread: 3-4 ft
- Bloom Time: May to September
- Bloom Description: Red
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Medium
How to Grow
Planting the Rosa ‘WEKmoridahor’ TOP GUN is best accomplished in late winter or early spring before the growing season accelerates. Ensure the chosen location provides full sun, as this maximizes flowering and disease resistance, although some afternoon shade is tolerable. The ideal soil is a medium-moisture, slightly acidic, well-drained garden loam.
Consistent care involves deep, regular watering, ideally done in the mornings to allow foliage to dry before evening. Avoid overhead watering to further deter common foliar diseases. Good air circulation is crucial for the health of this Shrub rose; space plants appropriately and consider summer mulch to keep roots cool and retain moisture.
Routine maintenance involves removing spent flowers (deadheading) regularly to encourage the continuous flush of blooms characteristic of Rosa ‘WEKmoridahor’ TOP GUN. In late winter or early spring, prune as needed to shape the plant. In colder regions, such as Zone 4, providing winter protection for the crowns is a necessary cultural practice. Always clean up and destroy fallen leaves both during the season and in the final dormant cleanup to mitigate disease carryover.
Landscape Uses
This versatile Shrub rose excels when incorporated into various design schemes. Grow Rosa ‘WEKmoridahor’ TOP GUN as a striking specimen plant where its continuous red blooms can draw the eye. It performs admirably when planted in small groups to create low, impactful borders or foundation plantings near structures.
The inherent habit of this cultivar makes it particularly effective when utilized as an informal or formal hedge. Grouping several plants together creates a reliable screen or boundary element composed of textured foliage and bright flowers. Pair this vigorously growing variety with complementary perennials that have similar sun and water needs for a cohesive cottage garden look.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
- Fragrant
Noteworthy Characteristics
Rosa is a genus noted for beautiful flowers on often prickly stems clad with 5-9 leaflets. Shrub roses are diverse hybrids typically producing clusters of flowers several times per year. Rosa ‘WEKmoridahor’ TOP GUN is a vigorous hybrid shrub rose distinguished by its 3” wide, semi-double red blooms and exceptional resistance to major rose diseases. This cultivar maintains a manageable mature size of 3-4’ tall and wide, producing fragrant flowers in clusters of 3-5 nearly continuously from late spring into fall.
Tolerances
Potential Problems
Roses, including the Shrub rose, are susceptible to diseases like black spot, powdery mildew, rust, and rose rosette. While good cultural practices form the first defense, regular preventative fungicide applications are often necessary, especially in humid climates. Insect pests such as aphids, scale, borers, and spider mites can also present challenges.
Fortunately, the Rosa ‘WEKmoridahor’ TOP GUN actively resists many common issues. This cultivar exhibits excellent resistance to powdery mildew, downy mildew, rust, black spot, and rose rosette disease, significantly reducing the need for intensive chemical intervention. Focus cultural efforts on proper watering (avoiding overhead spray) and ensuring thorough cleanup of fallen debris during the dormant season to maintain plant vigor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Shrub rose suitable for?
Rosa ‘WEKmoridahor’ TOP GUN is hardy in USDA Zones 4 through 9.
How large does Rosa ‘WEKmoridahor’ TOP GUN grow?
This cultivar typically reaches a mature height and spread between 3 and 4 feet.
What sun exposure does Rosa ‘WEKmoridahor’ TOP GUN need?
This plant thrives best when situated in full sun, which promotes the most robust flowering and disease resistance.
When does Shrub rose bloom?
The fragrant red flowers appear continuously from May through September.
Conclusion
The Rosa ‘WEKmoridahor’ TOP GUN stands out as an exceptional, relatively low-fuss Shrub rose, delivering consistent, fragrant red blooms coupled with superior disease tolerance. Its manageable height and width make it an invaluable addition to structured borders or hedges. Before planting, ensure your garden’s hardiness zone falls between 4 and 9 and plan for full sun exposure for the best results.
Companion Planting
When selecting companions for the Rosa ‘WEKmoridahor’ TOP GUN, focus on plants that also prefer full sun and well-drained media. Consider planting lower-growing ornamental grasses, such as Blue Fescue (Festuca glauca), to provide textural contrast at the base of the shrub, which can help mulch the soil, keeping roots cool. For a classic cottage aesthetic, intersperse the roses with Lamb’s Ears (Stachys byzantina) or hardy Geraniums, which tolerate soil disturbance and bloom at different times than the rose.
Design Integration for Hedging
Utilizing Rosa ‘WEKmoridahor’ TOP GUN specifically for hedging provides a functional barrier that is also intensely ornamental. Because this shrub naturally maintains a uniform 3x3 or 4x4 foot habit, spacing plants about 3 feet apart on center creates a dense, blooming hedge that requires minimal shaping pruning compared to deciduous privacy hedges. This works beautifully along walkways or low retaining walls where a splash of consistent, vibrant red is desired throughout the summer.
