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Common Wild Rose Rosa virginiana

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
ROH-sah ver-jin-ee-AY-nah
Description

Virginia Rose is a woody perennial suckering shrub in the rose family native to eastern North America and grows 4-6 feet tall. It is the best of the native roses to grow in the garden. It has pink open flowers in June to Aug. and the stems have numerous hooked prickles. It likes full sun, is easy to transplant, and prefers well-drained acidic soils but is adaptable. It is also salt and punning tolerant. The fall color is lovely.

Grow this rose instead of the non-native varieties to provide food for the wildlife from the flowers to the rose hips and beauty in your landscape.

Potential problems: Blackspot, powdery mildew, aphids, thrips, and mites. Provide this plant with what it needs and problems will be minimal.

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

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Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#wildlife plant#pink flowers#native perennials#deciduous shrub#fall interest#cpp#edible fruits#bird friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#wildlife plant#pink flowers#native perennials#deciduous shrub#fall interest#cpp#edible fruits#bird friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Rosa
    Species:
    virginiana
    Family:
    Rosaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Wildlife Value:
    Attracts birds, bees, butterflies, hummingbirds and other critters. Rose hips are edible.
    Play Value:
    Attracts Pollinators
    Easy to Grow
    Edible fruit
    Wildlife Food Source
    Edibility:
    Rose hips can be used to make jellies and jams.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Native Plant
    Rose
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
  • 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
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Length:
    1-3 inches
    Fruit Description:
    Edible shiny scarlet hips that persist into winter
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Pink
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Cup
    Saucer
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    2-2.5 in. single pale pink flowers in summer, usually June-July or into Aug.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Orange
    Purple/Lavender
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Leaf Margin:
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Pinnate compound leaves with 7-9 glossy green leaflets 1" to 2.5" long. Purple to red-orange to yellow fall foliage.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Reddish canes with curved prickles
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Coastal
    Attracts:
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Salt
    Problems:
    Spines/Thorns