The Eyepaint rose (botanical name: Rosa ‘Maceye’) is a popular, award-winning, and highly vibrant Floribunda rose variety developed by Sam McGredy in New Zealand in 1975. It is best known for its striking, single-petaled, bright red to vermilion flowers that feature a contrasting white center and yellow stamens.
Here is a detailed breakdown of the Eyepaint rose:
1. Appearance and Characteristics
- Flowers: The blooms are single (usually 5 to 7 petals), small to medium-sized (approx. 2.5 inches in diameter), and arranged in large, eye-catching clusters.
- Color: The petals are a brilliant vermilion/red, while the center of the bloom is white, giving it a distinctive “painted” eye look.
- Foliage: The bush has semi-glossy, dark green, deciduous leaves.
- Fragrance: It has a mild, gentle fragrance.
2. Growth Habit and Size
- Type: Floribunda / Shrub rose.
- Size: It grows as a bushy, spreading shrub, typically reaching a height of 3 to 6 feet (90 to 185 cm) and a width of 30 inches to 3 feet.
- Prolific Bloom: It is known for being a very prolific, repeat bloomer that produces flowers in flushes throughout the season.
3. Usage and Landscaping
- Versatility: Due to its compact, bushy nature, it is excellent for bedding, borders, hedging, and screening.
- Containers: It is well-suited for growing in pots or containers.
- Cut Flower: It makes for a long-lasting, bright addition to vases.
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4. Cultivation and Care
- Hardiness Zones: Generally hardy in USDA Zones 6b and warmer.
- Sunlight: Requires full sun for the best performance.
- Maintenance: It is relatively easy to care for and is often “self-cleaning,” meaning it drops its petals when spent, reducing the need for constant deadheading.
- Pruning: Requires pruning during the dormant season (late autumn to early spring) to remove dead or diseased wood and promote healthy, new growth.
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5. Awards and Synonyms
- Awards: The Eyepaint rose has received several accolades, including the Baden-Baden Gold Medal (1974) and the Belfast Gold Medal (1978).
- Synonyms: It is sometimes referred to as ‘Maceye’, ‘Tapis Persan’, or simply ‘Eye Paint’.
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The Eyepaint rose is a perfect choice for gardeners looking for a low-maintenance, high-impact red rose that blooms continuously and attracts pollinators.
