Bred by Samuel Darragh McGredy IV and introduced to New Zealand in 1980 under the name Blanche Neige, Snow Carpet is a miniature hybrid shrub rose derived from the cross Penny x Temple Bells. What it lacks in height (typically under ten inches) it makes up in spread, covering up to four feet across with dense, glossy green foliage that acts as its own weed suppression. The nearly spineless stems make it considerably more pleasant to work with than most roses, and the plant tolerates poorer soils reasonably well once established.

The small double flowers carry a mild fragrance and appear in fall flushes of white, standing out sharply against the dark foliage. Snow Carpet is a natural fit for container planting, hanging baskets, and the fronts of mixed borders where a low-growing, spreading rose is needed without sacrificing flower quality. Mass plantings work especially well as a ground cover alternative on gentle slopes or in areas where mowing is inconvenient. Prune in early spring to clear out any dead or crossed canes and cut back up to a third of the plant's mass to encourage vigorous new growth.