Rugosa Rose.

At a glance

Care level

Easy

Plant type

Deciduous shrub

Light

Full sun

Indoor light

Direct sun

Water

Every 7 to 14 days

Mature size

4 to 6 feet

Growth rate

Fast

Hardiness

USDA 2 to 8

Bloom time

Late spring to early autumn

Care

Plant this rose in a spot with plenty of airflow to keep the foliage healthy. Watch for signs of aphids or black spot during humid weather, though this variety is quite resistant. Prune back old wood in late winter to keep the shrub looking tidy.

Watering

Water deeply at the base to keep the soil moist but not soggy.

Feeding

Apply a balanced rose fertilizer once in early spring and again after the first bloom.

Pruning

Trim back dead or crossing branches in late winter before new growth begins.

Repotting

These roses prefer being planted in the ground, but if kept in containers, refresh the topsoil annually.

Soil

Well draining, sandy or loamy soil

Soil pH

6.0 to 7.0

Temperature

-35 to 30°C

Humidity

40 to 70%

Drought tolerance

High

Lifespan

Perennial, typically 15 to 20 years.

Fragrance

Strong

Deer and rabbits

Moderate

Safety

People

The plant is not toxic, but the sharp thorns can cause painful scratches.

Children

Keep children away from the dense, thorny stems to prevent accidental scratches.

Contact allergens

The stiff, sharp prickles can cause mechanical skin irritation.

Airborne allergens

The pollen may trigger mild seasonal allergies in sensitive individuals.

Edibility

The rose hips are edible but you must remove the hairy seeds inside as they can irritate the throat.

How to identify it

• Deeply wrinkled, textured dark green leaves
• Large, bright red edible rose hips
• Stems covered in dense, sharp thorns
• Fragrant single or semi double flowers
• Very hairy or bristly stems

Height

1 to 2m

Spread

1 to 2m

Leaves

dark green, yellow, deciduous

Flowers

pink, white, magenta, 6 to 9cm

Fruit

red, orange, Late summer to autumn

Problems to watch for

• AphidsCommon
• Black SpotCommon
• Powdery MildewCommon
• Rose RustCommon
• Japanese BeetlesUncommon
• Rose Rosette DiseaseUncommon
• SawflyUncommon
• Spider MitesUncommon

Growing it

Propagation

cuttings, seed, division

When to plant

spring, autumn

Overwintering

It is extremely hardy and requires no special winter protection. Simply leave the hips on the plant for winter interest and bird food.

In containers

Not recommended for containers due to its large size and extensive root system.

Plant these in groups to create a dense, protective hedge that supports local bird populations.

Grows well with

• Lavender · They share similar sun and drainage requirements.
• Catmint · It provides a soft contrast to the thorny stems.

Similar species

• Sweet Briar · It shares a similar shrubby habit and thorny nature.

Science

Family

Rosaceae

Genus

Rosa

Order

Rosales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Coastal regions of East Asia, including Japan, Korea, and China.

Conservation

It is considered invasive in some coastal regions outside its native range.

It naturally stabilizes sandy dunes and coastal bluffs by spreading through underground suckers.

Value to wildlife

nectar source, provides shelter, food for birds

Pollinators

bees, butterflies, beetles

Uses

ornamental shrub, coastal erosion control, edible rose hips, hedge

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need pruning?

It only needs light pruning to remove dead or damaged wood.

Can I grow it in a pot?

It is generally too large and vigorous for long term container life.

Where the name comes from

The name Rosa is the ancient Latin term for the flower, while rugosa describes the deeply veined, wrinkled foliage.

Good to know

• The name rugosa comes from the Latin word for wrinkled, referring to the texture of the leaves.
• It is also known as the beach rose or salt spray rose.
• The hips are very high in vitamin C.
• It is one of the few roses that does not require heavy pruning.

Also in

• Drought-tolerant plants