About
Rosa canina, the dog rose, is a vigorous, arching, deciduous shrub to about 3 m with strong, prickly stems and mid-green foliage. Perfumed, single, pale-pink or white flowers 5 cm across with prominent yellow stamens appear in early summer, followed by ovoid, red hips persisting into winter. A beautiful native hedgerow rose for a wild or cottage garden.
About the genus
Rosa, the roses, are deciduous or semi-evergreen shrubs and scrambling climbers with usually thorny stems bearing pinnate leaves and solitary or clustered, five-petalled flowers in a vast range of colours and forms in summer, often followed by showy red, orange or purple hips. Indispensable garden plants for a sunny, well-drained position.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, North-facing, East-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH7
Plant details
Plant typeRoses, Shrubs
HabitSpreading branched
FoliageDeciduous
Height2.5-4 metres
Spread1.5-2.5 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesWildlife gardens, Wildflower meadow, Cottage and informal garden
Native toEurope, N Africa, SW Asia
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
Cultivation'Dog Rose', a wild rose native to Britain with abundant orange-red hips in autumn. Grow in full sun or part shade 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 north-facing locations. See rose cultivation for further advice
PruningSee pruning group 20 (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, rose slugworm 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 disorder rose blindness