Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
Rugosa rose is the ultimate in carefree Roses. It’s true! This is a vigorous species that requires little upkeep and has absolutely no pests or diseases to worry about. The papery, single petaled Roses are a medium pink color with yellow stamens. They open up throughout the whole summer, even into the fall, while forming the biggest rose hips of any species. Birds can’t help but snack on these vitamin C-rich hips all winter. Butterflies, bees and Hummingbirds are attracted to the sweet nectar.
Unlike hybrid roses, Rugosa is great for wildlife hedges and will quickly grow in even the worst soil. The raspberry-like canes make dense thickets to provide shelter and nesting areas for birds and other small wildlife. Tolerant of salt spray and windy sites, this is one tough beauty.
Rugosa Rose Care
Rugosa Rose is a native to Eastern Asia, Japan and Southeastern Siberia. It will grow in a wide range of soil textures and pH ranges. Rugosa just needs adequate water for establishing. As it matures, Rugosas become very drought tolerant. The very spiny stems help to keep most deer and rabbits from making a meal of the tasty flowers. Full sun is the best position, but Rugosa Rose will tolerate light shade and partial sun.
This deciduous shrub grows by suckers from the base, much like a raspberry does. Prune out the dead canes late in the winter while the leaves are gone. Pruning to control height can be done then as well. Fertilizing is rarely needed for Rugosas. A mulch of organic compost or leaves in the fall will help the surrounding soil retain moisture.
Rugosa Rose Spacing
Roses generally need quite a lot of air circulation to help keep diseases away. Rugosa roses make a robust wildlife hedge, since the usual diseases do not affect them. With a height of 3-4 feet and a mature width of 5-7 feet, Rugosa roses should be spaced 5 feet apart when creating a hedge.
Rugosa Rose Plant Facts
Growing Conditions
- Hardiness ZonesGrowing Zones
- USDA Zones 3 to 10 (perennial); grown as an annual elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown indoors elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown in containers elsewhere (grown as a seasonal crop)
- Sun Exposure
- Part Sun to Full Sun (5+ Hours Direct Sun)
- Mature Height
- 3-4 Feet
- Mature Spread
- 5-7 Feet
- Growth Habit
- , Upright
- Water Needs
- Average
- Root Stock
- Own Root
Flowers & Foliage
- Flower Colors
- , Pink
- Flower Description
- Pink
- Bloom Time
- Late Spring to Summer
- Blooms On
-
Both New and Old Wood
?
"Blooms on" tells you which stems produce flowers, which decides when it's safe to prune.
- New Wood: Flowers form on stems that grow this season. Prune in late winter or early spring without losing blooms.
- Old Wood: Flower buds form on last year's stems. Prune right after flowering. Pruning in fall or early spring removes next year's blooms.
- Both New and Old Wood: Blooms on last year's stems and again on new growth, so it flowers even after a hard winter or a mistimed pruning. Prune lightly after the first flush of blooms.
- When to Prune
- Lightly, right after the first flush of flowers
- Foliage Color
- , Green
- Foliage Description
- Green
- Foliage Type
- , Deciduous
- Seasonal Interest
- , Summer Flowering
Garden Benefits
Plant Overview
- Common Name
- Rugosa Rose
- Botanical Name
- ROSA RUGOSA
- Plant Type
- Shrub
Simple Plant Spacing Calculator
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons
We stand behind our plants with industry-leading guarantees to give you peace of mind.
We want your plants to arrive in great condition! If you notice any issues upon delivery, contact us within 3 days.
Starting January 1, 2026 all bushes, perennials & trees purchased come with an extended 1-year warranty for added confidence. If your plant dies due to a health issue within a year, we’ll make it right.
Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.
Plant Addicts ships to the lower 48 states within the U.S. Unfortunately, we do not currently ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally.
This plant cannot be shipped to the following states: AK, HI. These restrictions apply only to this specific plant due to agricultural regulations or other limitations. Other plants may still be available for shipping to these states.
If you have any questions about shipping restrictions, feel free to reach out to our team!