Rosa canina (S)

RHS Plant Profile
dog rose

Other common names

bird briar, briar rose, buckieberries, canker, canker flower, canker rose, cankerberry, choop tree, common brier, dog briar, dog brier, hep briar, hep rose, hep tree, wild rose, cat whin, rhosyn gwyllt

Synonyms

Rosa psilophylla
Rosa cladoleia
Rosa glaucescens
Rosa spuria
Rosa villosiucula
Rosa firma
Rosa montivaga
Rosa condensata

Plants for pollinators
Roses Shrubs

A vigorous arching deciduous shrub about 3m in height, with strong prickly stems bearing mid-green foliage and fragrant, single, pale pink or white flowers 5cm across, with prominent yellow stamens, produced either solitary or in small clusters, in early summer, followed by ovoid red fruits

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

2.5-4 metres

Max Spread

1.5-2.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
5–10 years
Max Spread
1.5-2.5 metres
Max Height
2.5-4 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or North–facing or East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H7

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Rosaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
Yes
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Spreading branched
Potentially harmful
Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
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
Horticultural Group
Shrub roses are large shrubs with usually thorny stems bearing large leaves and fragrant, single to double flowers in clusters in summer, and usually also in autumn
Plant Range
Europe, N Africa, SW Asia

How to Grow

Cultivation

'Dog Rose', a wild rose native to Britain with abundant orange-red hips in autumn. Grow in full sun or part shade in moderately fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil. For best flowering apply a balanced fertiliser and mulch in late winter or early spring. Tolerant of poor soil and north-facing locations. See rose cultivation for further 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

  • Wildlife gardens
  • Wildflower meadow
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

See pruning group 20 (roses)

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 disorder rose blindness