Create Your Garden

Rosa rubiginosa (Sweet Briar)

Sweet Briar, Sweet Brier, Eglantine, Eglantier, Églantier Odorant, Rosa eglanteria, Rosa umbellata, Rosa comosa, Rosa klukii, Rosa echinocarpa, Wild Roses, Shrub Roses

Sweet Briar, Eglantine, Rosa rubiginosa, Wild Rose, Pink Rose
Sweet Briar, Eglantine, Rosa rubiginosa, Wild Rose, Pink Rose

Rosa rubiginosa: The Fragrant Sweet Briar of Europe and Beyond

Rosa rubiginosa, commonly known as the Sweet Briar or Eglantine Rose, is a vigorous, deciduous shrub celebrated for its sweetly scented foliage and delicate pink blooms. Native to Europe and Western Asia, this wild rose has naturalized in regions worldwide, thriving in various conditions. Its aromatic leaves, beautiful flowers, and vibrant red hips make it a favorite for wildlife gardens, cottage landscapes, and hedgerows, though it can become invasive in some areas.

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


Description

The Sweet Briar is a robust shrub with arching, thorny stems and finely toothed, pinnately divided leaves. Its distinguishing feature is the apple-like fragrance of its leaves, released when crushed or brushed. In early summer, it bears delicate, five-petaled, pink flowers with a subtle fragrance, followed by an abundance of oval, bright red hips that persist into winter. These characteristics make it a charming addition to natural and ornamental landscapes.


Native Habitat

Rosa rubiginosa is native to Europe and Western Asia but has been introduced and naturalized in regions across the globe. It thrives in diverse habitats, including woodland edges, hedgerows and roadsides, grasslands and pastures, banks, slopes, and waste areas. Its adaptability to poor soils has contributed to its widespread distribution.


Plant Type and Habit

The Sweet Briar is a dense, deciduous shrub with an upright, arching habit. It spreads via suckers and seeds, forming thickets that can be difficult to manage.

Its vigorous growth makes it an excellent choice for hedging and erosion control but can also contribute to its invasiveness.


Plant Size

  • Height: 6–10 ft. (2–3 m)
  • Width: 6–10 ft. (2–3 m)

Flowers

The Sweet Briar’s blooms are simple yet elegant, adding charm to any garden:

  • Color: Clear blush pink with white centers.
  • Fragrance: Light and spicily sweet.
  • Bloom Time: Late spring to early summer.
  • Form: Single flowers borne in small clusters of 2–7 along the branches.

Fruits (Rose Hips)

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

  • Shape and Size: Globose to oblong, 1–2 cm in diameter.
  • Color: Bright red, persisting into winter.
  • Uses: Rose hips are rich in vitamin C and used in teas, jams, syrups, and marmalades. They were historically relied upon as a vitamin source during wartime.

Foliage

The foliage of the Sweet Briar or Eglantine Rose is aromatic and attractive:

  • Type: Pinnately divided leaves with 5–9 leaflets.
  • Color: Mid-green, with glandular hairs that release a sweet, apple-like scent.
  • Notable Trait: The fragrance is strongest after a rainstorm or when the leaves are touched.

Hardiness

This wild rose is hardy in USDA Zones 4–9, tolerating both cold winters and hot summers.


Wildlife

The Sweet Briar supports biodiversity by providing food and shelter:

  • Pollinators: Bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects are drawn to its fragrant blooms.
  • Birds and Mammals: The hips are an essential winter food source for birds and small mammals.
  • Habitat: Dense thickets offer nesting sites and protective cover for wildlife.

Uses

Rosa rubiginosa is versatile, offering ecological, ornamental, and practical benefits:

  • Wildlife Gardens: Its fragrant flowers attract pollinators, and the persistent hips feed birds and small mammals through winter.
  • Hedging and Barriers: The thorny stems make it an ideal natural barrier or informal hedge.
  • Erosion Control: Its vigorous root system stabilizes slopes and banks, preventing soil erosion.
  • Ornamental Appeal: The Sweet Briar’s fragrant foliage, pink blooms, and red hips add charm to cottage gardens, wildflower meadows, and informal landscapes.
  • Culinary Value: Rose hips are used to make teas, jams, syrups, and marmalades, offering a rich source of vitamin C.
  • Medicinal Benefits: The hips have been traditionally used to boost immunity and treat colds.

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

The Sweet Briar is non-toxic to humans and pets. Its hips are edible and nutritious.


Invasiveness

While highly valued, Rosa rubiginosa can become invasive in certain regions:

  • South America: It has overtaken large areas in Patagonia, displacing native species and causing economic damage.
  • Australia and New Zealand: Classified as an environmental weed, it spreads rapidly in pastures and tussock grasslands.
  • Management: Control efforts include restricting propagation and sale, removing seedlings, and preventing seed dispersal by wildlife.

Sweet Briar, Eglantine, Rosa rubiginosa, Wild Rose, Pink Rose


Rose Bush Care: How to Grow a Sweet Briar or Eglantine Rose

Light Requirement

Rosa rubiginosa grows best in full sun but tolerates partial shade. Full sun promotes better flowering and disease resistance.


Soil

The Sweet Briar thrives in fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil. It tolerates poor soils, including clay and sandy substrates.


Water

Water regularly during the growing season, especially in dry periods. Avoid overhead watering to reduce the risk of foliar diseases.


Fertilizer

Apply a general rose fertilizer in early spring and early summer for robust growth and blooms. Mulch with well-rotted organic matter in late winter to retain moisture and suppress weeds.


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 this wild rose 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 4 - 9
Plant Type Roses, Shrubs
Plant Family Rosaceae
Genus Rosa, Rosa - Shrub Rose
Common names Rose
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late), Summer (Early), Fall, Winter
Height 6' - 10' (180cm - 3m)
Spread 6' - 10' (180cm - 3m)
Spacing 72" - 120" (180cm - 3m)
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
Tolerance Drought
Attracts Bees, Butterflies, Birds
Garden Uses Hedges And Screens
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Rosa (Rose) Rosa (Shrub Roses)
Not sure which Rosa (Rose) to pick?
Compare Now

Alternative Plants to Consider

Rosa Orange Glow™ Knock Out® (Shrub Rose)
Rosa White Drift® (Groundcover Rose)
Rosa Lemon Drift® (Groundcover Rose)
Rosa Buttercream Drift® (Groundcover Rose)
Rosa Blushing Drift® (Groundcover Rose)
Rosa ‘Hermosa’ (China Rose)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

Rose Bush Care: How to Grow Healthy, Beautiful Roses
David Austin Roses: Add Romance and Fragrance to Your Garden
Knock-Out Roses: Nonstop Color and Beauty from Spring to Frost
Drift Roses: The Perfect Rose for Small Spaces and Big Impact
Wild Rose Varieties: Nature’s Timeless Beauty
China Rose: The Flower That Revolutionized Gardens
Heirloom Roses: Timeless Beauties for Your Garden
Rose Hips: Benefits, Uses, and Fun Facts
Rose Oil: A Luxurious Elixir for Beauty and Wellness
The Power of Roses: Rose Water, Rose Syrup, Rose Oil, and Rose Hips
How to Make Rose Water Naturally: A Beginner’s Guide
Rose Water: Benefits, Uses, and How to Make It at Home
20 Orange Roses: A Burst of Sunshine for Your Garden
13 Beautiful Purple Roses to Add Elegance to Your Garden
Blue Roses: From Ancient Myths to Modern Science
White Rose Fun Facts: Everything You Didn’t Know
28 Beautiful White Roses to Illuminate Your Garden and Home
White Roses Meaning: From Romance to Remembrance
How to Choose the Best Yellow Rose for Your Garden
38 Beautiful Yellow Roses to Enrich Your Garden and Home
Yellow Roses Meaning: More Than Just a Pretty Flower
Pink Rose: Fascinating Facts You Never Knew
Pink Roses Meaning: From June Birth Flower to Garden Favorites
50 Pink Roses to Add Grace, Fragrance, and Romance to Your Garden
Black Roses: Symbolism, Varieties, and Growing Tips
Rose Garden: A Beginner’s Guide to Growing Roses
39 Stunning Red Roses to Enrich Your Garden
Symbolism of Red Roses: A History of Love and Passion
Top 70 Summer Flowers to Brighten Your Garden and Home
50 Best Fall Flowers for Your Autumn Garden
50 California Wildflowers: From Desert Blooms to Coastal Gems
50 Colorado Wildflowers to Know and Love
Top 50 Most Beautiful Flowers Worldwide
Edible Flowers for Cocktails: Top Picks for Beautiful and Flavorful Sips
Edible Flowers for Cakes: A Guide to Stunning Floral Decorations
54 Black Flowers and Plants: Add Drama to Your Garden
45 Yellow Flowers: Radiant Blooms for Every Season
Pure White Flowers for a Touch of Elegance in Your Garden
Choosing Your Ideal Hedge: A Guide to Top Shrubs for Any Garden
Add a Splash of Color: Perfect Flowering Shrubs for Small Gardens
35 Flowering Shrubs That Thrive in Full Sun
40 Beautiful Native Shrubs for Shade
Rosa (Rose)
June Birth Flower: What is my Birth Flower?
Underplanting Roses – Companion Plants for Roses
Edible Flowers: 30 Beautiful Blooms to Grow for Garden and Table
Pretty Roses and Clematis Combination Ideas (Part 1)
Great Rose Companion Plants: Allium
Great Foliage Plants as Rose Companions
Best English Roses for Partial Shade
Great Rose Companion Plants: Nepeta, Salvia and Lavandula
Great Rose Companion Plants: Geraniums
Great Colorful Rose Companion Plants
Underplanting Roses with Low-Growing Spring Bulbs
Pretty Roses and Clematis Combination Ideas (Part 3)
Combining Roses and Clematis
Combine Late-Flowering Clematis with your Climbing Roses
Pretty Roses and Clematis Combination Ideas (Part 2)
Combine Early-Flowering Clematis with your Climbing Roses
Native Plant Alternatives to Rosa multiflora (Multiflora Rose)
Native Plant Alternatives to Rosa laevigata (Cherokee Rose)
Native Plant Alternatives to Rosa canina (Briar Rose)
Native Plant Alternatives to Rosa rugosa (Rugosa Rose)
Best English Roses for Pots and Containers
Most Fragrant English Roses
Best English Roses for Cutting from the Garden
Best David Austin Roses for the Southeast
Best David Austin Roses for Southern California
Best David Austin Roses for Pacific Northwest Gardens
Best David Austin Roses for Gardeners in the Midwest
Best David Austin Roses for Mid-Atlantic Gardeners
Best David Austin Roses for Gardeners in New England
Best English Roses for Mixed Borders
Main Rose Types for your Garden
All America Rose Selections Winners
Pretty Climbing Roses for your Garden
Climbing or Rambler Roses for my Garden?
Pretty Rambler Roses for your Garden
Best English Roses for Hedges
Learn How To Plant And Care for Your English Roses
Plants with Pink Flowers to Add Romance to Your Garden
Plants with Purple Flowers to Add Charm to Your Garden
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.
Buy Plants

Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 9
Plant Type Roses, Shrubs
Plant Family Rosaceae
Genus Rosa, Rosa - Shrub Rose
Common names Rose
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late), Summer (Early), Fall, Winter
Height 6' - 10' (180cm - 3m)
Spread 6' - 10' (180cm - 3m)
Spacing 72" - 120" (180cm - 3m)
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
Tolerance Drought
Attracts Bees, Butterflies, Birds
Garden Uses Hedges And Screens
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Rosa (Rose) Rosa (Shrub Roses)
Not sure which Rosa (Rose) to pick?
Compare Now

Gardening Ideas

Plant Calculator

How many Rosa rubiginosa (Sweet Briar) do I need for my garden?

Input your garden space dimensions

Your Shopping List

Plant Quantity
Rosa rubiginosa (Sweet Briar) N/A Buy Plants

Please Login to Proceed

You Have Reached The Free Limit, Please Subscribe to Proceed

Subscribe to Gardenia

To create additional collections, you must be a paid member of Gardenia
  • Add as many plants as you wish
  • Create and save up to 25 garden collections
Become a Member

Plant Added Successfully

You have Reached Your Limit

To add more plants, you must be a paid member of our site Become a Member

Update Your Credit
Card Information

Cancel

Create a New Collection

Sign Up to Our Newsletter

    You have been subscribed successfully

    Join Gardenia.net

    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!

    Join Gardenia.net

    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!

    Find your Hardiness Zone

    Find your Heat Zone

    Find your Climate Zone