Dog Rose - Rosa canina - €6 per plant  

 A sign of approaching summer, the delicately scented and pretty bloom of the Dog Rose is an important nectar source for a variety of insects.  In autumn, bright red hips are produced that can be eaten fresh from the plants or used to make syrups and teas and contain a high amount of vitamin C.  The plant is of high medicinal value and perfect  for hedging or in use as a windbreak.  It attracts a lot of wildlfe not just by its blooms - the fruits are a food source for birds such as blackbirds, redwings and waxwings. To order this plant please contact us [email protected]. 

Context

  • native region: Europe
  • native habitat: Hedges, scrub, woods, roadsides and banks
  • family: Rosaceae

Pest and Predators

  • Aphids
  • The plant is susceptible to fungal diseases such as powdery mildew 

Needs, tolerances 

  • Light: Semi-shade or no shade
  • soil pH:  Acid, neutral -basic alkaline 
  • USDA Hardiness Zone: 3 - 7
  • Prefers moist oil    
  • Can tolerate winds
  • Can tolerate poor soils

Known hazards 

  • There is a layer of hairs around the seeds just beneath the flesh of the fruit which can cause irritation to the mouth and digestive tract if ingested.

Overview

  • 2nd yr bare root 
  • Deciduous shrub to 3 m by 3 m at a fast rate. ​
  • It is in flower in June - July, and the seeds ripen from October to November 
  • The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by a variety of insects.
  • Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained moist soil and can grow in heavy clay soil. 
  • Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. 
  • It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade.  
  • The plant can tolerate strong winds 

Characteristics

  • form: Deciduous shrub
  • ​layer: Lower Canopy
  • habit: Can be scrambling climbers, with thorny stems
  • height x width (m): 3 x 3

Products 


  • Flowers:  Fragrant and usually pale pink, but can vary between a deep pink and white. 
  • Fruit:  Abundant pretty orange-red hips in autumn. Known for high content of vitamin C.  Can be used in making delicious jams, syrups etc. The syrup is used as a nutritional supplement. Also dried and used for tea.
  • Medicinal: Said to be an aperient, astringent, a diuretic, laxative and a tonic.

Functions, behaviors


  • Is a good source of food for wildlife
  • Can be used as a root stock for other rose cultivars
  • Makes a good windbreak
  • A good choice for livestock fencing
  • Suckers freely.
If you would like this plant please send an email to [email protected] with your order. 
Balkan Ecology Project