Rosa tomentosa
harsh downy rose
A wild rose, to around 3m high, with long, arching stems, straight or slightly curving thorns, and aromatic, softly hairy green leaves with coarsely toothed edges. Produces small, fragrant, bright pink or rarely white flowers, singly or in small clusters in early summer. Flowers are followed by oval-shaped, bristly red fruit (hips)
Synonyms
Rosa dumosaRosa cuspidata
see moreRosa subglobosa
Rosa properata
Rosa seringeana
Rosa mollissima
Rosa insidiosa
Size
Ultimate height
2.5–4 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
1.5–2.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Pink White | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green Yellow | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Rosaceae
- Native to the UK
- Yes
- Foliage
- Semi evergreen
- Habit
- Bushy
- Potentially harmful
- Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
- Genus
Rosa can be deciduous or semi-evergreen shrubs or scrambling climbers, with usually thorny stems bearing compound pinnate leaves and solitary or clustered flowers. Flowers may be followed by showy red or purple fruits in some varieties.
- Name status
Correct
How to grow
Cultivation
Thrives in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in a sunny position. May benefit from an organic mulch in late winter or early spring. See rose cultivation for more detailed advice
Propagation
Propagate by softwood cuttings in early to mid spring, hardwood cuttings in late summer to autumn or by chip budding in summer; propagate by seed; species roses can be propagated by seed but need stratification and germination may take two seasons
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Wildlife gardens
- Flower borders and beds
- Wall side borders
Pruning
See pruning group 20 (shrub roses), don't deadhead flowers if fruits (hips) are required
Pests
May be susceptible to aphids, rose leafhopper, glasshouse red spider mite, scale insects, caterpillars, large rose sawfly, rose slugworm sawfly and rose leaf-rolling sawfly. Deer and rabbits can cause damage
Diseases
May be susceptible to rose black spot, rose rust, replant disease, rose dieback, and rose powdery mildew and sometimes honey fungus. May also be susceptible to disorders rose blindness and flower balling
Get involved
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