Plant DetailShow Menu

Common Wild Rose Rosa virginiana

Other Common Name(s):

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

Virginia rose is a woody, deciduous, perennial shrub in the rose family (Rosaceae). It is native to eastern North America and rapidly grows 4 to 6 feet tall. 

Virginia rose likes full sun to partial shade and sandy or loamy, acidic to neutral soil with good drainage. It is salt resistant. Propagate this rose by seed or stem cutting. Its pink flowers bloom from June to August, and the stems have numerous hooked prickles. The leaves turn color in the fall. Look here for a guide to pruning shrub roses. 

This easy-to-grow rose provides food for wildlife. It attracts songbirds, bees, butterflies, and hoverflies. Use it in a native or pollinator garden. Its salt tolerance makes it a good choice in coastal areas.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Blackspot, powdery mildew, aphids, thrips, and 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:
Tags:
#deciduous#pink flowers#native perennials#deciduous shrub#fall interest#NC native#edible fruits#pollinator plant#NC Native Pollinator Plant#bird friendly#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#pink flowers#native perennials#deciduous shrub#fall interest#NC native#edible fruits#pollinator plant#NC Native Pollinator Plant#bird friendly#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Rosa
    Species:
    virginiana
    Family:
    Rosaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Wildlife Value:
    Attracts birds, bees, butterflies, and hoverflies. 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
    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
    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 Type:
    Drupe
    Fruit Length:
    1-3 inches
    Fruit Description:
    Edible shiny scarlet hips that persist into winter
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Pink
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Solitary
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Cup
    Saucer
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    2 to 2.5 in. single pale pink flowers with yellow stamens in summer, usually from June into August. 5 petals each
  • 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
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Cottage Garden
    English Garden
    Native Garden
    Design Feature:
    Barrier
    Border
    Foundation Planting
    Hedge
    Mass Planting
    Small groups
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Small Mammals
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Salt
    Problems:
    Spines/Thorns