Butterfly Rose Rosa chinensis
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Rosa bengalensis
- Rosa chinensis var. semperflorens
- Rosa indica
- Rosa semperflorens
- Rosa viridiflora
- Phonetic Spelling
- RO-zuh chi-NEN-sis
- Description
-
China rose is one of the oldest cultivated roses, having been brought from China before 1894. It is a rounded, woody, deciduous shrub in the rose family (Rosaceae) and native to south and central China. The genus name Rosa is Latin for rose; the specific epithet indicates its origin.
China rose enjoys full sun to partial shade; moist, well-drained loam with a neutral pH; moderate watering; and good air circulation. A full-grown China rose can reach 6 to 8 feet in height and spread. When planting allow for one foot of space all around the mature plant to promote good air circulation and reduce the chances of foliar diseases. Do not irrigate from above, as this too can lead to foliar disease. Water at the base, and apply mulch generously to conserve moisture. Deadheading will promote further flushes of bloom. Prune China rose in the early spring. Look here for a guide to pruning shrub roses. Propagate China rose by grafting or stem cutting.
Because of its mature size, China rose makes a good accent plant or can be used to provide height in a garden bed. Mass planted, it makes a good hedge, or it can cover slopes. The flowers attract honey bees and butterflies, and the hips are a food source for birds. Place it beside a patio or include it in a butterfly, cottage, cutting, English, or pollinator garden.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: China rose is susceptible to black spot, powdery mildew, rust, and rose rosette. It may be attacked by aphids, Japanese beetles, borers, scale insects, thrips, rose midges, leafhoppers, and spider mites. This plant is frequently damaged by deer. For full information on common pests and diseases, please see the Rosa page.
VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Semperflorens'
Dwarf
- 'Semperflorens'
- 'Semperflorens'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Semperflorens'
Dwarf
- 'Semperflorens'
- 'Semperflorens'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Rosa
- Species:
- chinensis
- Family:
- Rosaceae
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Grafting
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- South-Central China
- Distribution:
- World wide in Temperate Zones
- Wildlife Value:
- China rose flowers are visited by honey bees. Birds eat the hips. These plants are frequently damaged by deer.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
-
-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- High
- Texture:
- Medium
- Appendage:
- Prickles
-
-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil pH:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
-
-
Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Winter
- Fruit Type:
- Pome
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The fruits of all roses are called hips and are considered a good source of vitamin C. The hips appear any time from June through November and, if the birds will let them, can survive the winter. The ovoid hips of China Rose are under one inch in diameter and red in color.
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Gold/Yellow
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Good Cut
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Wheel
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- The flowers of China rose are under two inches in diameter but they are carried in groups of four or five so do have an impact. They are slightly fragrant. The single bloom has five petals. Sometimes the petals are semi-double or double. The colors range from white through pink to red or purple.
-
-
Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Insignificant
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- The compound leaves of China Rose are two to four and a half inches long and carried alternately. There are three to five one inch to two and a quarter inch by on half to one inch leaflets though sometimes seven leaflets are present. Young leaves are reddish purple changing to dark green on top and lighter green beneath. Both sides can be slightly hairy. They have slightly rounded bases with a pointy tip. The margins are serrated.
-
-
Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Brown
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Round
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Description:
- The early growth of China Rose stems is a very attractive reddish purple. As the stem ages it turns from purple to green then brown. The stems are covered in prickles.
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Patio
- Slope/Bank
- Landscape Theme:
- Asian Garden
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Cutting Garden
- English Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Hedge
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Problems:
- Frequent Disease Problems
- Frequent Insect Problems
- Spines/Thorns
