Nootka Rose, Wild Roses, Shrub Roses
Rosa nutkana, commonly known as the Nootka Rose, is a robust and elegant deciduous shrub native to the western regions of North America. Known for its strikingly fragrant pink blooms, decorative red hips, and adaptability, this wild rose is a cherished symbol of natural landscapes. Its name originates from the Nootka Sound on Vancouver Island, where it was first documented. With its historical uses in traditional medicine and ornamental value, Rosa nutkana offers both beauty and functionality to gardens and ecosystems.
Roses belong to the Rosaceae family, which includes other plants such as Apples (Malus domestica), Peaches (Prunus persica), and Strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa).
Rosa nutkana is a stout and erect deciduous shrub known for its graceful, upright form and attractive features. Its slightly arching stems are adorned with gray-green foliage and sharp prickles, creating a robust yet elegant appearance. The shrub produces large, fragrant, deep pink flowers followed by bright red rose hips, persisting into winter. It spreads through suckering roots, forming dense thickets perfect for erosion control and wildlife habitats.
Rosa nutkana is native to the western regions of North America, thriving in diverse habitats:
This adaptability makes it a common choice for native landscaping, wetland restoration, and wildlife-friendly gardens.
This deciduous shrub is upright and well-branched, with slightly arching, prickly stems that spread via suckering roots to form dense thickets. Its structure makes it ideal for naturalized plantings, wildlife habitats, and erosion control.
The Nootka Rose spreads by suckering roots, as far as space and moisture permit, to form broad thickets.
The flowers are one of the most striking features of the Nootka Rose:
After flowering, Rosa nutkana produces abundant hips that add winter interest:
The foliage of Rosa nutkana complements its vibrant flowers:
Rosa nutkana thrives in USDA Zones 5-9, tolerating a wide range of climates.
The Nootka Rose, serves numerous purposes, combining practical benefits with ornamental appeal:
With its versatility, ecological importance, and aesthetic value, Rosa nutkana is a valuable addition to any garden or natural landscape.
Nootka Rose is a vital resource for wildlife, offering food, shelter, and nesting opportunities to a diverse range of species. Its ecological importance makes it an excellent addition to naturalized landscapes, wildlife gardens, and conservation projects.
While its prickly stems offer some protection, young shoots and foliage may still be browsed by deer and rabbits.
Rosa nutkana is non-toxic to humans and pets. Its edible rose hips are safe and nutritious.
Rosa nutkana is not considered invasive but forms dense thickets through suckering roots. In small gardens, regular pruning may be required to control its spread.
Nootka Rose thrives in full sun to part shade, requiring at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily to encourage healthy growth and optimal blooming.
Best grown in moist to dry, well-drained soils, Nootka Rose is highly adaptable. It tolerates a wide range of conditions, including sandy, clay, and even poorly drained soils. Seasonal flooding poses no issue, making it a resilient option for various landscapes. Incorporating organic matter improves fertility and soil structure.
Regular watering is essential during the growing season, especially in hot or dry periods. Deep watering at the base encourages root development and prevents fungal diseases.
Feed Nootka Rose in early spring and midsummer with a balanced fertilizer. Compost or aged manure can be added to the soil to provide additional nutrients, enhancing the plant’s health and flowering.
Nootka Rose can be propagated by various methods:
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 |
---|---|
Heat Zones |
1 - 9 |
Climate Zones | 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, A1, A2, A3 |
Plant Type | Roses, Shrubs |
Plant Family | Rosaceae |
Genus | Rosa - Shrub Rose, Rosa |
Common names | Rose, Nootka Rose |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest | Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid), Fall |
Height | 6' - 10' (180cm - 3m) |
Spread | 3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm) |
Spacing | 48" (120cm) |
Maintenance | Low, Average |
Water Needs | Low, Average |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Fragrant, Showy, Fruit & Berries |
Native Plants | United States, Rocky Mountains, Southwest, Pacific Northwest, California, Alaska, Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Nevada, Montana, Utah, Colorado, Wyoming |
Attracts | Bees, Birds, Butterflies |
Garden Uses | Hedges And Screens |
Garden Styles | Prairie and Meadow, Informal and Cottage |
Hardiness |
5 - 9 |
---|---|
Heat Zones |
1 - 9 |
Climate Zones | 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, A1, A2, A3 |
Plant Type | Roses, Shrubs |
Plant Family | Rosaceae |
Genus | Rosa - Shrub Rose, Rosa |
Common names | Rose, Nootka Rose |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest | Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid), Fall |
Height | 6' - 10' (180cm - 3m) |
Spread | 3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm) |
Spacing | 48" (120cm) |
Maintenance | Low, Average |
Water Needs | Low, Average |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Fragrant, Showy, Fruit & Berries |
Native Plants | United States, Rocky Mountains, Southwest, Pacific Northwest, California, Alaska, Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Nevada, Montana, Utah, Colorado, Wyoming |
Attracts | Bees, Birds, Butterflies |
Garden Uses | Hedges And Screens |
Garden Styles | Prairie and Meadow, Informal and Cottage |
How many Rosa nutkana (Nootka Rose) do I need for my garden?
Plant | Quantity | |
---|---|---|
Rosa nutkana (Nootka Rose) | N/A | Buy Plants |
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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.
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