Rugosa Rose

Light Needs

Partial Sun to Full Sun

(At Least 5 Hours of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

3-4 Feet

Mature Spread

5-7 Feet

Growing Zones

3 to 10

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.