About
Rosa laevigata, the Cherokee rose, is a very large rambling rose to about 4.5 m with glossy, vivid-green, semi-evergreen leaves of three leaflets. Large, single, slightly scented, white blooms with golden stamens appear in early summer, followed by pear-shaped, bristly, brownish-orange hips. A vigorous and beautiful species rambler for a sunny wall or large structure in a mild 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
Soil typeClay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeRoses, Climber Wall Shrub
HabitClimbing
FoliageSemi evergreen
Height8-12 metres
Spread2.5-4 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Mediterranean climate plants, Wildlife gardens
Native toChina
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
CultivationGrow in fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil in full sun, on a warm sheltered wall. Best suited to southern counties and inner city locations. Mulch with well-rotted organic matter in late winter or early spring, and for best flowering apply a general rose or shrub fertiliser in early spring and again in early summer. See rose cultivation
PruningPruning group 18 (rambler roses) - see our video How to prune rambling roses. Don't prune after flowering if fruits (hips) are required
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, including rose aphid, the most common rose pest. May also be susceptible to rose leafhopper, glasshouse red spider mite, scale insects, caterpillars, large rose sawfly, rose leaf-rolling sawfly and leaf-cutter bees. Deer and rabbits can also 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