Rosa laevigata

Cherokee rose is a woody, deciduous, sprawling shrub in the rose family (Rosaceae) that is native to central and southern China to Vietnam and Taiwan. It was brought to the United States during colonial times and cultivated by the Cherokee. 

Plant it in full sun to partial shade and moist soil. Water deeply and regularly. A summer application of mulch helps retain moisture. Cherokee rose tolerates a wide range of soil types, even poor soil. The best flowering and disease resistance occurs in full sun. While it is typically grown as a climber, it can be pruned into a 6-foot shrub. Pruning should be accomplished in the late winter. Look here for a guide to pruning shrub roses. It is deer resistant.  

Cherokee rose grows rapidly with arching canes that contain numerous hooked prickles, glossy dark green leaves, and showy fragrant white flowers that attract butterflies. It will climb 15 to 60 feet high and spread 3 to 4 feet wide. A rock wall or other vertical space in a butterfly or pollinator garden is an ideal location for this climbing rose. Keep it a distance from high-traffic areas as it is very prickly.   

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Fuller rose beetles, Japanese beetles, rose chafer, rose thrips, southern red mites, and two spotted mites are pest problems for roses. Disease problems include botrytis, blights, powdery mildew, leaf spots, and anthracnose. Cherokee rose may spread aggressively in the southeastern United States.

VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.