Red Cascade Miniature Rose

Red Cascade becomes rather large for a miniature rose … but the roses themselves are truly miniature.  I love this rose and with the exception of The Fairy, which is a pink miniature, this would be my top choice for a Texas Garden.  Here is Red Cascade filled with blooms; it is one of the last roses to bloom in the spring.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The ‘Red Cascade’ miniature rose is a vigorous, trailing rose with cascading branches and deep crimson-red blooms. Despite being classified as a miniature due to its small flower size (about 1 inch across), its growth habit is expansive, often reaching 6–8 feet or more in spread when grown as a groundcover or trained as a small climber.  

Introduced by Ralph Moore in 1976, it remains a favorite for landscaping in Texas due to its disease resistance, heat tolerance, and ability to thrive with minimal care once established.

 

In Texas landscapes, ‘Red Cascade’ performs particularly well in Central and East Texas, where it benefits from moderate humidity and good drainage. It tolerates full sun and poor soils, provided drainage is adequate. Though not part of the Earth-Kind® rose list, it shares many of the same qualities: repeat blooming, resistance to blackspot and mildew, and low water needs once established.

 

Patiently waiting for this Red Cascade to burst forth!

Gentle reminder for those new to roses, the term ‘miniature rose’ pertains to the size of the bloom, not the size of the shrub.  As you can see this rose is extreme large!

Q1: What is the growth habit of ‘Red Cascade’?
A: Though technically a miniature rose, it has a sprawling, groundcover-like growth habit, often extending 6–8 feet wide or more.

Q2: How big are the flowers?
A: The blooms are small, about 1 inch across, but appear in clusters throughout the growing season.

Q3: Is it a repeat bloomer?
A: Yes, it blooms repeatedly from spring through fall in warm Texas climates, especially with light pruning.

Q4: Can it grow in full sun?
A: Yes, ‘Red Cascade’ thrives in full sun, which enhances bloom production and helps prevent disease.

Q5: How does it perform in Texas heat?
A: It is very heat-tolerant, making it an excellent performer in Central and South Texas.

Q6: Is it drought-tolerant?
A: Once established, it has moderate drought tolerance, but benefits from occasional deep watering during extreme dry spells.

Q7: What kind of soil does it prefer?
A: It prefers well-drained soil but will tolerate clay and sandy soils if not waterlogged.

Q8: Is it disease-resistant in humid parts of Texas?
A: Yes, it is resistant to blackspot and powdery mildew, making it suitable even in East Texas.

Q9: Can it be grown in containers or hanging baskets?
A: Yes. Its trailing habit makes it ideal for containers, raised beds, or cascading over walls.

Q10: Does it require much pruning?
A: Minimal pruning is needed—just trim after major bloom cycles to maintain shape and encourage rebloom.