Rugosa roses have a wide-spreading bushy habit, are almost completely disease free, and are tolerant of a wide range of growing conditions, including part shade. This is the standard rose for edible hip production. Rose hips are very high in vitamin C—in fact, they contain twenty times more vitamin C than oranges. They are also one of the best natural sources for iron; calcium; phosphorus; vitamins A, B1, and B2, and a host of other nutrients. During World War II, volunteers harvested rose hips from the wild in England in order to make rose-hip syrup, because it was hard to import citrus at that time. Rugosa roses are sometimes called saltspray roses or beach roses due to their salt tolerance.
More than a hundred years after its introduction in 1892, this hybrid rugosa remains a garden treasure. The flowers have a diameter of 3½ inches and a lovely light fragrance. They are produced in mass in early spring with intermittent repeat blooming into fall, when a few of the blossoms morph into reddish-orange hips. The healthy wrinkled, leathery leaves turn yellow in fall, extending the season of interest.
ZONE 3
COLOR: White
GROWTH HABIT: Bushy
SIZE: 4’–7’ h. × 4’–7’ w.
PETAL COUNT: 10–20
This hybrid rugosa was bred by Georges Bugnet of Canada and introduced in 1941. Bugnet’s goal was to breed a rose that could withstand the cold Canadian winters. This rose produces its first big flush of large, fragrant flowers in June and repeat blooms intermittently throughout the season. It’s recommended that you do not prune this rose.
ZONE 3
COLOR: Pink
GROWTH HABIT: Bushy
SIZE: 5’–6’ h. × 5’–6’ w.
PETAL COUNT: 26–40
