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, 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.
The Briar Rose holds historical and cultural significance:
Roses belong to the Rosaceae family, which includes other plants such as Apples (Malus domestica), Peaches (Prunus persica), and Strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa).
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.
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.
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.
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.
The flowers of the Briar Rose are a defining feature:
After flowering, the Briar Rose produces an abundance of bright red rose hips:
The foliage of the Briar Rose enhances its natural appeal:
This wild rose thrives in USDA Zones 5-9, showcasing its adaptability to cold climates.
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.
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.
While the thorny stems deter most animals, young shoots and tender foliage may still be browsed by deer and rabbits.
Rosa canina is non-toxic to humans and pets. Its hips are edible and nutritious.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Propagate Rosa canina through various methods for reliable growth:
While this wild rose is a hardy and resilient species, it can still encounter common pests and diseases that affect roses.
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.
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.
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 |
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 Rosa canina (Briar Rose) do I need for my garden?
Plant | Quantity | |
---|---|---|
Rosa canina (Briar Rose) | N/A | Buy Plants |
Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
Join now and start creating your dream garden!
Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
Join now and start creating your dream garden!