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Rosa multiflora var. cathayensis

Previously known as:

  • Rosa cathayensis
Phonetic Spelling
RO-zuh mull-tee-FLO-rah ka-thay-EN-sis
Description

Chinese many-flowered rose is a large, vigorous, rambling, multi-stemmed, deciduous woody plant in the rose family (Rosaceae) that is native to China. It can grow as a shrub or be trained as a climber reaching 8 to 20 feet tall and 5 to 10 feet wide. 

This rose prefers sandy or loamy soil  that is occasionally dry to moist and well-drained. It tolerates an acidic to neutral soil pH and a site that receives full sun to partial shade. However, too much shade will limit flowering. Prune as needed when the plant is dormant. Layering or stem cuttings are methods for propagation.

Aptly named, this rose blooms once during the year in summer and is covered in clusters of light pink or white, single, fragrant flowers that are followed by small rose hips. Essential oil can be extracted from the flowers. 

Chinese many-flowered rose can form thickets, so consider planting it in a naturalized area, or on a slope or stream bank to prevent soil erosion. It can be trained to climb a vertical space or structure such as a privacy screen and is a good addition to Asian, cottage or cutting gardens. Note that the stems are prickly. 

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Beetles, thrips, rose aphids and spider mites.

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

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Tags:
#vigorous#fragrant flowers#pink flowers#deciduous shrub#erosion control#privacy#summer flowers#climbing rose#cutting garden#screening#trellis#verticle spaces#prickles
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#vigorous#fragrant flowers#pink flowers#deciduous shrub#erosion control#privacy#summer flowers#climbing rose#cutting garden#screening#trellis#verticle spaces#prickles
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Rosa
    Species:
    multiflora
    Family:
    Rosaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Tannin from the roots is used for tanning. Essential oils can be extracted from the flowers.
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Layering
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    China
    Dimensions:
    Height: 8 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 5 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Perennial
    Rose
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Arching
    Climbing
    Multi-stemmed
    Spreading
    Maintenance:
    Low
    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:
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    6-feet-12 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Drupe
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Orangish red to brown rose hips are 1/4 inch in size
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Corymb
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Cup
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Many clusters appear of 1.5-inch wide single light pink flowers with 5 petals and a mild fragrance.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Obovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    The compound green leaves have 7-9 ovate leaflets with serrated margins. Leaflets are 1-2 inches long and usually have hairs on the undersides.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    stiff dark green with prickles
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Slope/Bank
    Vertical Spaces
    Landscape Theme:
    Asian Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Cutting Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Screen/Privacy
    Problems:
    Spines/Thorns