Rosa multiflora (Multiflora Rose)

Rosa multiflora (Multiflora Rose) is a large scrambling shrub or rambling rose of arching and spreading habit with long prickly canes bearing pinnately compound, dull green leaves with 7-9, toothed leaflets. It is covered with a plentiful array of slightly fragrant, single, small white flowers with yellow central stamens in early summer. Carried in pyramidal clusters of up to 30 blossoms, they attract butterflies, hummingbirds and pollinating insects. Flowering is so profuse that the attractive blossoms nearly cover the foliage. As an extra bonus, these are followed by pea-sized, round, red hips in late summer. The rose hips persist into winter to the delight of hungry birds who will feast on the large and colorful hips during the winter months. Unless restrained, this wild rose will spread through self-seeding, root sprouts and arching stems that root in the ground. It can form dense impenetrable thickets over time.

Native to Asia, Rosa multiflora was first introduced to North America in 1866 as rootstock for ornamental roses. During the mid 1900s, it was widely planted as a “living fence” for livestock control. It is a declared noxious weed in several states in the USA, where it can reduce pastoral production as well as invading and damaging a number of habitats. Rosa multiflora forms impenetrable thickets in pastures, fields, and forest edges. It restricts human, livestock, and wildlife movement and displaces native vegetation. It tolerates a wide range of conditions allowing it to invade habitats across the United States.

• Grows up to 6-15 ft. tall (180-450 cm) and 6-18 ft. wide (180-540 cm).
• Best grown in full sun in fertile, humus-rich, moist, well-drained soils. Tolerates a wide range of conditions. For best flowering, apply a balanced fertilizer and mulch in late winter.
• Featuring a bushy, upright habit, this ravishing shrub is a good addition to borders, banks and slopes and cottage gardens.
• Keep an eye out for aphids, leafhoppers, glasshouse red spider mite, scale insects, caterpillars, large rose sawfly, rose leaf-rolling sawfly, leaf-cutter bees, black spot, rose rust and rose powdery mildew. Deer and rabbits can also cause damage
• Routinely pruned in late summer, after the show of flowers and hips.
• Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings in late summer or hardwood cuttings in autumn.
• Native to East Asia. It has been introduced to Pakistan, South Africa, North America, Australia and New Zealand.
• Find where this species is invasive in the United States.
• Discover beautiful U.S. native plant alternatives.