Sweet Briar, Sweet Brier, Eglantine, Eglantier, Églantier Odorant, Rosa eglanteria, Rosa umbellata, Rosa comosa, Rosa klukii, Rosa echinocarpa, Wild Roses, Shrub Roses
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).
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.
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.
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.
The Sweet Briar’s blooms are simple yet elegant, adding charm to any garden:
After flowering, the Sweet Briar produces an abundance of bright red rose hips:
The foliage of the Sweet Briar or Eglantine Rose is aromatic and attractive:
This wild rose is hardy in USDA Zones 4–9, tolerating both cold winters and hot summers.
The Sweet Briar supports biodiversity by providing food and shelter:
Rosa rubiginosa is versatile, offering ecological, ornamental, and practical benefits:
While the thorny stems deter most animals, young shoots and tender foliage may still be browsed by deer and rabbits.
The Sweet Briar is non-toxic to humans and pets. Its hips are edible and nutritious.
While highly valued, Rosa rubiginosa can become invasive in certain regions:
Rosa rubiginosa grows best in full sun but tolerates partial shade. Full sun promotes better flowering and disease resistance.
The Sweet Briar thrives in fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil. It tolerates poor soils, including clay and sandy substrates.
Water regularly during the growing season, especially in dry periods. Avoid overhead watering to reduce the risk of foliar diseases.
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.
Propagate this wild rose 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 |
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 |
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 Rosa rubiginosa (Sweet Briar) do I need for my garden?
Plant | Quantity | |
---|---|---|
Rosa rubiginosa (Sweet Briar) | 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!