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Rosa canina (Briar Rose)

Dog Rose, Bird Briar, Briar Rose, Buckieberries, Canker, Cankerberry, Canker Flower, Canker Rose, Cat Whin, Choop Tree, Common Brier, Dog Briar, Dog Brier, Hep Briar, Hep Rose, Hep Tree, Wild Roses, Shrub Roses

Rosa canina, Dog Rose, Bird Briar, Briar Rose, Buckieberries, Canker, Cankerberry, Canker Flower, Canker Rose, Cat Whin, Choop Tree, Common Brier, Dog Briar, Dog Brier, Hep Briar, Hep Rose, Hep Tree, Wild Roses, Shrub Roses, Pink roses, Hardy roses
Rosa canina, Dog Rose, Bird Briar, Briar Rose, Buckieberries, Canker, Cankerberry, Canker Flower, Canker Rose, Cat Whin, Choop Tree, Common Brier, Dog Briar, Dog Brier, Hep Briar, Hep Rose, Hep Tree, Wild Roses, Shrub Roses, Pink roses, Hardy roses
Rosa canina, Dog Rose, Bird Briar, Briar Rose, Buckieberries, Canker, Cankerberry, Canker Flower, Canker Rose, Cat Whin, Choop Tree, Common Brier, Dog Briar, Dog Brier, Hep Briar, Hep Rose, Hep Tree, Wild Roses, Shrub Roses, Pink roses, Hardy roses

Rosa canina: The Hardy Briar Rose of Europe and Beyond

Rosa canina, commonly known as the Briar Rose or Dog Rose, is a vigorous, scrambling deciduous shrub native to Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia. Known for its lightly fragrant pink-to-white blooms and vibrant red hips, this wild rose thrives in a variety of habitats. Historically significant in both culture and medicine, Rosa canina has adapted to landscapes worldwide, but gardeners should be mindful of its invasive potential in certain regions.

Cultural Significance

The Briar Rose holds historical and cultural significance:

  • Featured in heraldry and literature, including William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
  • Known as the Thousand-Year Rose, one specimen has grown at Hildesheim Cathedral in Germany since 815 AD.
  • During World War II, its hips were a vital source of vitamin C in Britain and the U.S.

Roses belong to the Rosaceae family, which includes other plants such as Apples (Malus domestica), Peaches (Prunus persica), and Strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa).


Description

The Briar Rose is a vigorous shrub or climber with arching, thorny stems and lush, pinnately divided leaves. It produces pale pink to white flowers with prominent yellow stamens, followed by red, oval hips that persist through winter. Its climbing nature allows it to scale nearby structures or grow into dense thickets, making it a valuable plant for wildlife habitats.


Native Habitat

The Briar Rose is native to Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia, but it has also been introduced to North America, Australia, and New Zealand. Its preferred habitats include forest edges and woodlands, roadsides and hedgerows, pastures and old fields,  streambanks, and bluffs.


Plant Type and Habit

Rosa canina is a deciduous shrub with a sprawling, climbing habit. Its arching stems, covered with stout, curved thorns and suckering roots, enable it to form dense, impenetrable thickets. This makes it an ideal choice for natural barriers, wildlife habitats, and erosion control.


Plant Size

  • Height: 3–15 ft. (90–450 cm)
  • Width: 3–15 ft. (90–450 cm)

The Briar Rose reproduces sexually by seed and vegetatively by suckering and layering. When grown as a climber, it can scramble into trees and taller structures.


Flowers

The flowers of the Briar Rose are a defining feature:

  • Color: Pale pink to white, with occasional darker hues.
  • Size: Approximately 2 in. (5 cm) across.
  • Fragrance: Light and sweet, appealing to pollinators.
  • Blooming Season: Late spring to midsummer.
  • Form: Single flowers with five petals, borne singly or in small clusters at the ends of branches.

Fruits (Rose Hips)

After flowering, the Briar Rose produces an abundance of bright red rose hips:

  • Shape and Color: Oval, glossy red to orange, measuring 1.5–2 cm long.
  • Persistence: The hips remain on the shrub for months, often into winter.
  • Uses: Rich in vitamin C, rose hips are used to make teas, syrups, jams, and herbal remedies.
  • Wildlife Value: Birds and mammals consume the hips, aiding in seed dispersal.

Foliage

The foliage of the Briar Rose enhances its natural appeal:

  • Type: Pinnately divided, with 5–7 serrated leaflets.
  • Color: Mid-green, with a slightly paler underside.

Hardiness

This wild rose thrives in USDA Zones 5-9, showcasing its adaptability to cold climates.


Wildlife

The Briar Rose plays a vital role in supporting wildlife. Its fragrant flowers attract pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. Dense, thorny thickets provide essential shelter and nesting sites for birds and small mammals. The bright red rose hips serve as a crucial winter food source for birds such as thrushes, grosbeaks, and blackbirds, as well as small mammals like squirrels. The plant also hosts aphids, which serve as food for ladybugs and other beneficial predators, contributing to a balanced ecosystem.


Uses

The Briar Rose is a versatile species, offering practical, ornamental, and ecological benefits:

Wildlife Gardens: The fragrant flowers attract pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. Its thorny thickets provide shelter and nesting sites for birds and small mammals, while the vibrant red rose hips offer crucial winter food for birds such as thrushes, grosbeaks, and blackbirds.

Hedges and Erosion Control: Rosa canina’s thorny stems create dense, natural barriers, ideal for informal hedgerows or property boundaries. Its extensive root system and suckering habit make it effective for stabilizing slopes and preventing soil erosion.

Ornamental and Culinary Value: This wild rose adds rustic charm to cottage gardens, wildflower meadows, and naturalized landscapes. Rose hips are used in teas, jams, syrups, wines, and preserves, while the petals are perfect for candied decorations.

Medicinal Benefits: Celebrated for its high vitamin C content, rose hips are used to boost immunity, prevent colds, and create herbal remedies. Historically, rose petals were applied in poultices to soothe skin irritations and inflammation.

With its wide range of applications, Rosa canina is a valuable addition to any garden or landscape, offering both beauty and ecological benefits.


Deer and Rabbit Resistance

While the thorny stems deter most animals, young shoots and tender foliage may still be browsed by deer and rabbits.


Toxicity

Rosa canina is non-toxic to humans and pets. Its hips are edible and nutritious.


Invasiveness

Planted in landscaped settings in the U.S. and Canada, this Eurasian species has escaped cultivated gardens and become problematic in natural areas. Areas invaded with Briar Roses can become dominated by the plant, resulting in a decline in native plant species and other desirable vegetation. Gardeners should consider its invasive nature before planting.

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Rose Bush Care: How to Grow a Briar Rose

Light Requirement

Rosa canina thrives in full sun to partial shade for optimal flowering and disease resistance. While it tolerates part shade, blooms are less prolific in shadier conditions.


Soil

Best grown in moist, well-drained soils, Rosa canina is adaptable to poor soils. Avoid planting in areas prone to waterlogging or excessive dryness for best results.


Water

Provide regular watering during the growing season, especially in prolonged dry periods. Deep watering at the base helps encourage strong root development and reduces stress during droughts.


Fertilizer

Feed Rosa canina with a balanced rose fertilizer in late winter or early spring to support healthy growth and abundant blooms. Apply a layer of mulch around the base to retain moisture and enrich the soil.


Pruning

  • Timing: If rose hips are desired, avoid pruning in late summer and wait until late winter or early spring to prune. This ensures the hips can fully develop and remain on the plant for fall and winter interest. If rose hips are not a priority, pruning can be done in late summer after flowering.
  • General Maintenance: Focus on removing dead, diseased, or damaged wood, as well as crossing or rubbing branches, to maintain the plant’s health and structure.
  • Crowding Prevention: Avoid excessive buildup of older, unproductive wood that can crowd the center. If necessary, remove one or two older branches from the center to improve airflow and light penetration.
  • Leggy Growth: For plants that have become leggy or bare at the base, cut one or two stems back to near ground level. This encourages fresh, vigorous growth from the base and helps maintain a more compact, attractive shape.

Propagation

Propagate Rosa canina through various methods for reliable growth:

  • Softwood Cuttings: Take cuttings in early to mid-spring when new growth is still tender for successful rooting.
  • Hardwood Cuttings: Collect cuttings in late summer to autumn for overwinter rooting.
  • Chip Budding: Perform chip budding in summer for effective propagation.
  • Seed Propagation: Harvest seeds from ripe hips, stratify them for 6–8 weeks to break dormancy, and sow them. Note that germination may take up to two growing seasons.

Disease and Pest Resistance

While this wild rose is a hardy and resilient species, it can still encounter common pests and diseases that affect roses.

Pest Resistance

This rose may attract common pests such as aphids, spider mites, scale insects, or caterpillars. These pests can damage foliage, flowers, and stems, reducing the plant’s vigor.

Disease Resistance

This rose may be susceptible to several fungal diseases, including rose black spot, rust, and powdery mildew. These diseases often thrive in humid conditions, causing leaf discoloration, defoliation, or stem dieback. Disorders like rose blindness (failure to bloom) and flower balling (petals failing to open) may also occur under certain conditions. In severe cases, honey fungus, a soil-borne pathogen, can damage the plant’s root system.

Requirements

Hardiness 5 - 9
Plant Type Roses, Shrubs
Plant Family Rosaceae
Genus Rosa - Shrub Rose, Rosa
Common names Rose, Briar Rose, Canker, Dog Rose
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid), Fall, Winter
Height 3' - 15' (90cm - 4.6m)
Spread 3' - 15' (90cm - 4.6m)
Spacing 144" (3.7m)
Maintenance Average
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Showy, Fruit & Berries
Native Plants United Kingdom
Attracts Bees, Butterflies, Birds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Hedges And Screens
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow, Informal and Cottage
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While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 5 - 9
Plant Type Roses, Shrubs
Plant Family Rosaceae
Genus Rosa - Shrub Rose, Rosa
Common names Rose, Briar Rose, Canker, Dog Rose
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid), Fall, Winter
Height 3' - 15' (90cm - 4.6m)
Spread 3' - 15' (90cm - 4.6m)
Spacing 144" (3.7m)
Maintenance Average
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Showy, Fruit & Berries
Native Plants United Kingdom
Attracts Bees, Butterflies, Birds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Hedges And Screens
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow, Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Rosa (Shrub Roses) Rosa (Rose)
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Compare Now

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