About
A vigorous, thorny, rambling shrub with long arching or scrambling purple stems and slightly perfumed, single creamy-white flowers produced in one flush in midsummer, followed by oval orange-red hips.
About the genus
Rosa can be deciduous or semi-evergreen shrubs or scrambling climbers, with usually thorny stems bearing compound pinnate leaves and solitary or clustered flowers. Flowers may be followed by showy red or purple fruits in some varieties.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeClay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectEast-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeRoses
HabitClimbing
FoliageDeciduous
Height2.5-4 metres
Spread1.5-2.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens
FragranceFlower
ToxicityFruit are ornamental - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Care notes
CultivationIdeal for groundcover or rambling. Grow in full sun with shelter, in moderately fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil. For best flowering apply a balanced fertiliser and mulch in late winter or early spring. Tolerant of poor soil and shade; good for woodland or hedgerow planting. Good for ornamental fruits. See also rose cultivation
PruningSee pruning group 17 (climbing roses)
PropagationPropagate by softwood cuttings in early to mid spring, hardwood cuttings in late summer to autumn or by chip budding in summer; propagate by seed; species roses can be propagated by seed but need stratification and germination may take two seasons
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids, rose leafhopper, glasshouse red spider mite, scale insects, caterpillars, large rose sawfly and rose leaf-rolling sawfly. Deer and rabbits can cause damage
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to rose black spot, rose rust, replant disease, rose dieback, and rose powdery mildew and sometimes honey fungus. May also be susceptible to disorders rose blindness and flower balling