Rosa stellata
desert rose
A low-growing, twiggy species rose about 90cm tall and wide, with small pale green leaves divided into three leaflets and very thorny stems. The relatively large, single, scented blooms are deep rose-pink with creamy-yellow stamens and appear in early summer, and are followed by bristly, dull red hips
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Pink | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green | Red | ||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing
Exposure
Exposed Hardiness
H7Botanical details
- Family
- Rosaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy
- 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
How to grow
Cultivation
Requires well-drained soil in a sunny, open position
Propagation
Propagate by seed or by hardwood cuttings
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Wildlife gardens
Pruning
See pruning group 20 (shrub roses), do not deadhead flowers if fruits (hips) are required
Pests
May be susceptible to aphids, including rose aphid, the most common rose pest. May also be susceptible to rose leafhopper, glasshouse red spider mite, scale insects, caterpillars, large rose sawfly, rose leaf-rolling sawfly and leaf-cutter bees. Deer and rabbits can also cause damage
Diseases
May be susceptible to rose black spot, rose rust, replant disease, rose dieback, and rose powdery mildews. May also be susceptible to disorders rose blindness and flower balling and sometimes honey fungus
Get involved
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