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(Rosa spinosissima)
Scotch Rose (Rosa spinosissima)
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Andreas Rockstein
CC BY-SA 2.0
Image By:
Andreas Rockstein
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Copyright:
CC BY-SA 2.0
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 spinosissima, commonly known as Scotch Rose, is a deciduous subshrub native to a variety of habitats including coastal dunes, limestone pavements, and rocky slopes in Europe and Asia. It typically grows 20–140 cm high but can occasionally reach up to 2 meters. This species is characterized by its ability to spread via basal shoots, potentially covering extensive areas. The stems are densely covered with stiff bristles and numerous straight prickles. Young stems and prickles exhibit a bright scarlet hue, maturing to a deep maroon, while the leaves maintain a reddish tinge. Scotch Rose blooms from late spring to early summer, featuring cream-white flowers, and on rare occasions, pale pink ones. Each flower is 2–4 cm in diameter with five petals, leading to the production of distinctive globular dark purple to black hips that are ornamental and can persist into winter.
The Scotch Rose is valued for its hardiness, low maintenance, and the ornamental quality of its flowers and hips. It is often used in gardens for hedging, as ground cover, or in naturalistic plantings. "Stanwell Perpetual," a popular cultivar, has very pale pink double flowers that fade to white and has been recognized with the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit. This plant thrives in full sun to part shade and requires medium amounts of water. It is adaptable to a variety of soil types, provided they offer medium to fast drainage. While generally disease-resistant, it can be susceptible to common rose ailments such as black spot and powdery mildew. Gardeners should be aware of its thorny nature when planting in areas with pedestrian traffic.CC BY-SA 4.0
The Scotch Rose is valued for its hardiness, low maintenance, and the ornamental quality of its flowers and hips. It is often used in gardens for hedging, as ground cover, or in naturalistic plantings. "Stanwell Perpetual," a popular cultivar, has very pale pink double flowers that fade to white and has been recognized with the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit. This plant thrives in full sun to part shade and requires medium amounts of water. It is adaptable to a variety of soil types, provided they offer medium to fast drainage. While generally disease-resistant, it can be susceptible to common rose ailments such as black spot and powdery mildew. Gardeners should be aware of its thorny nature when planting in areas with pedestrian traffic.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Shrub
- Height: 3-5 feet
- Width: 3-4 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: Pink, White
- Flowering Season: Spring, Summer
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: Medium
- Drainage: Medium, Fast
Common Uses
Bank Stabilization, Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Fragrant, Groundcover, Hedges, Low Maintenance, Salt Tolerant
Natural Habitat
Coastal dunes, limestone pavements, and rocky slopes
Other Names
Common Names: Field Rose, Scottish Briar, Burnet Rose, Klit-Rose, Bibernell-Rose, Pimpinellaruusu, Rose D’Écosse, Rosier Des Dunes, Rosier Pimprenelle, Rosier À Feuilles De Boucage
Scientific Names: , Rosa spinosissima, Rosa pimpinellifolia, Rosa pimpinellifolia subsp. myriacantha, Rosa myriacantha, Rosa ripartii, Rosa spinosissima subsp. myriacantha, Rosa pimpinellifolia var. myriacantha, Rosa rubella, Rosa mathonnetii
GBIF Accepted Name: Rosa spinosissima L.