Scottish Briar Rosa spinosissima

Burnet rose is a suckering, deciduous woody perennial in the rose (Rosacea) family and native from Europe to southwestern Siberia, northwest Iran and Algeria. It grows 3 to 4 feet tall and wide. The species name means “most spiny” which describes the abundance of prickles of various sizes on the stem. The scotch rose was an early introduction into North America and can be found at George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate.

Burnet rose can be grown in partial sun but flourishes in full sun. It can tolerate a variety of poor soils (chalk, clay, loam and sand) if well-drained. The plant is drought- and salt-tolerant. In full sun, the plant is disease resistant, and the blooms can be fragrant. To encourage flowering, apply a balanced fertilizer and mulch in late winter or early spring. Late winter pruning is encouraged to prevent the suckers from spreading. Propagate with hardwood cuttings in autumn, or by division of the suckers in the dormant season. Propagation by seeds can take two years.

Insects, butterflies and songbirds enjoy Burnet rose, making it a good candidate for planting in cottage, drought-tolerant, English and pollinator gardens. It is useful for mass planting as a border, low hedge, privacy screen or large-scale ground cover and, thanks to its suckering habit, will help prevent slope erosion.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Susceptible to black spot, rose rust and powdery mildews. It may also be affected by aphids, leafhoppers, glasshouse red spider mites, scale insects, caterpillars and rose leaf-rolling sawfly. 

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