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Rosa rubiginosa

sweet briar

© RHS
Sold by 11 nurseries

  • Other common names sweet briar
    eglantine

    sweet brier

    see more

  • Synonyms Rosa eglanteria

  • Family Rosaceae

  • Genus Rosa can be deciduous or semi-evergreen shrubs or scrambling climbers, with usually thorny stems bearing pinnate leaves and solitary or clustered, 5-petalled flowers followed by showy red or purple fruits

  • Details R. rubiginosa is a vigorous arching deciduous shrub with prickly stems bearing apple-scented foliage, and cupped single light pink flowers in summer, followed by ovoid red fruits

  • Plant range Europe

Characteristics

  • Foliage Deciduous

  • Habit Spreading / Branched

  • Fragrance Leaf

  • Hardiness

    Hardiness ratings

    All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

    • H1a - Under glass all year (>15C)
    • H1b - Can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
    • H1c - Can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
    • H2 - Tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
    • H3 - Hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
    • H4 - Hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
    • H5 - Hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
    • H6 - Hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
    • H7 - Hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

    H7

Colour

Sunlight

  • Full Sun

  • Aspect South-facing or North-facing or West-facing or East-facing

  • Exposure Exposed or Sheltered

Soil

  • Chalk

    Chalk

  • Clay

    Clay

  • Sand

    Sand

  • Loam

    Loam

  • MoistureMoist but well-drained

  • SoilChalk, Clay, Sand, Loam

  • pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral

Size

  • Ultimate height 1.5-2.5 metres

  • Ultimate spread 1.5-2.5 metres

  • Time to ultimate height 5-10 years

How to grow

Cultivation Grows best in full sun with 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 shade, suitable for hedging

Propagation Propagate by hardwood cuttings in autumn or by suckers

Suggested planting locations and garden types Hedging & Screens Cottage & Informal Garden Wildlife Gardens Wildflower meadow

How to care

Pruning Pruning group 22 (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

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