Chinese Many-Flowered Rose Rosa multiflora var. cathayensis
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Rosa cathayensis
- Phonetic Spelling
- RO-zuh mull-tee-FLO-rah ka-thay-EN-sis
- Description
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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.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- stiff dark green with prickles
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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
