Rosa canina (S)
dog rose
R. canina is a vigorous arching deciduous shrub with mid-green foliage and pale pink or white flowers 5cm across, either solitary or in small clusters, in early summer, followed by ovoid red fruits
Other common names
bird briarbriar rose
see morebuckieberries
canker
canker flower
canker rose
cankerberry
choop tree
common brier
dog briar
dog brier
hep briar
hep rose
hep tree
wild rose
cat whin [2]
Synonyms
Rosa psilophyllaRosa cladoleia
see moreRosa glaucescens
Rosa spuria
Rosa villosiucula
Rosa firma
Rosa montivaga
Rosa condensata
Size
Ultimate height
2.5–4 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
1.5–2.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Pink White | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green | Red | ||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or North–facing or East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H7Botanical details
- Family
- Rosaceae
- Native to the UK
- Yes
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- 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 with 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
Propagation
Propagate by hardwood cuttings in autumn
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Wildlife gardens
- Wildflower meadow
- Cottage and informal garden
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
Pruning group 21 (roses)
Pests
May be attacked by aphids, leafhoppers, glasshouse red spider mite, scale insects, caterpillars, rose leaf-rolling sawfly, leaf cutting bees, rabbits and deer
Diseases
May be affected by rose rust and powdery mildews
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.