Woods rose is a wild relative of the garden classic, exhibiting all the beauty with none of the fuss. Large delicate pale pink to magenta flowers open in June, followed by bright red hips that last through the winter. Bumblebees in particular love woods rose. They will land in the flower and buzz their wings for maximum pollen collection!
Woods rose is tremendously adaptable, and can grow on steep bone dry slopes as well as in moist shaded thickets. It's also a quick grower, making it a particularly valuable restoration species. Once established, it can survive heavy deer browse and other disturbances.
This species spreads via suckering; while not appropriate for every situation, that does lend itself to a perfect hedge. Plant with chokecherry and snowberry for a barrier that will fill in to become a living privacy fence.
woods rose
- Rosa woodsii