Sweet Briar Rose

(Rosa rubiginosa)

Sweet Briar Rose (Rosa rubiginosa)

Andreas Rockstein

CC BY-SA 2.0

Image By: Andreas Rockstein

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Copyright Notice: Photo by: Andreas Rockstein | License Type: CC BY-SA 2.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/ | Uploader: anro0002 | Publisher: Flickr

Estimated Native Range

Summary

Rosa rubiginosa, commonly known as Sweet Briar Rose, is a deciduous shrub native to a variety of habitats including open woodlands, grasslands, and forest edges in Western Europe. It typically grows 2–3 meters in height and width, forming a dense thicket with stems covered in numerous hooked prickles. The foliage is notable for its strong apple-like fragrance, particularly after rain. Sweet Briar Rose blooms from late spring to mid-summer, featuring clusters of 2–7 flowers, each 1.8–3 cm in diameter. The flowers have pink petals with a white base and yellow stamens, creating a visually appealing display. After flowering, it produces rose hips that are appreciated for their ornamental value and persist into winter, providing food for wildlife.

The Sweet Briar Rose is valued for its scent, ornamental flowers, and hips. It is recommended for planting on the south or west side of a garden to carry the fragrance on warm, moist winds. This shrub is often used for hedging, in wildlife gardens, and as a source of rose hips for culinary and medicinal purposes. It thrives in full sun but can tolerate part shade, and it adapts to a range of soil conditions, from slow to fast drainage. While generally easy to maintain, it can be susceptible to common rose diseases such as black spot and powdery mildew. Gardeners should be aware that it can spread via seeds and root suckers, potentially becoming invasive in some areas.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

Plant Type: Shrub
Height: 6-10 feet
Width: 6-10 feet
Growth Rate: Moderate
Flower Color: Pink
Flowering Season: Spring, Summer
Leaf Retention: Deciduous

Growth Requirements

Sun: Full Sun
Water: Medium
Drainage: Fast, Medium, Slow

Common Uses

Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Fragrant, Showy Flowers

Natural Habitat

Native to open woodlands, grasslands, and forest edges in Western Europe

Other Names

Common Names: Sweet Briar , Sweet-Briar , Eglantine , Eglantine Rose , Sweetbriar Rose , Sweetbrier , Briar Rose , Mosqueta Rose , Wilderoos , Drysïen Bêr

Scientific Names: Rosa rubiginosa , Rosa eglanteria , Rosa grandiflora , Rosa gremlii , Rosa comosa , Rosa rubiginosa subsp. umbellata , Rosa rubiginosa subsp. rubiginosa , Rosa umbellata , Rosa rotundifolia , Rosa comosella

GBIF Accepted Name: Rosa rubiginosa L.