The term “dog rose” does not refer to a specific species, but rather to a number of different types of wild roses. In particular, the two native varieties that are very similar in appearance and therefore easy to confuse, Rosa corymbifera (which is the actual dog rose) and Rosa canina (also known as the dog rose) are sold as dog roses. All types of wild roses are characterized by beauty and robustness and do not require much care. This article is primarily about the dog rose, but there are only a few differences between the individual species in terms of location, soil and care needs.
What are the special properties of dog roses?
Hedge roses are robust types of wild roses that require little care and come in different types and varieties. They are characterized by their natural charm and their insensitivity to diseases and pests. Popular species include the dog rose, the tufted rose and the wine rose.
Origin and Use
The dog rose (bot. Rosa canina) takes its name - which means "common" rose - because of its widespread distribution throughout Europe and even in northwest Africa. Basically, this popular dog rose grows almost everywhere and is practically impossible to break. In fact, the species can be very old, as the famous thousand-year-old rose bush - a landmark of the city of Hildesheim - proves. This was planted when the diocese was founded in the early Middle Ages and even sprouted again after just a few weeks after a fire caused by a bomb attack during the Second World War.
Appearance and growth
Even though the famous thousand-year-old rose bush is now more than ten meters high and climbs up the choir wall of Hildesheim's St. Mary's Cathedral thanks to trellises, this does not correspond to the natural growth of the species. Normal specimens reach heights of between two and three meters become about the same width. The very fast-growing species grows loosely upright and develops overhanging branches as it ages. The trunk of the extremely hardy dog rose is also covered with numerous large thorns.
Flowers and flowering time
The small and simple, but very numerous flowers of the dog rose appear for about 14 days between the end of May and the beginning / middle of June. They are up to five centimeters in diameter, lightly scented and typically pink. Like all wild roses, the dog rose is an important insect nutrient plant because - with the exception of butterflies - all insects feed on its pollen.
Fruits
In autumn, however, both birds and people are happy about the edible rose hips, which are very rich in vitamin C. These are so-called collective nuts that ripen very late in October and November. They often remain on the bush until spring and are a valuable winter food source for birds. When ripe, people can use the bright orange-red wild fruit to make jams, jellies and liqueurs, and dried as tea.
Toxicity
The wild roses described here as hedge roses are all non-toxic and can therefore be planted in the garden without any worries.
Which location is suitable?
In nature, the dog rose is often found in semi-shady to sunny, but still bright locations such as along paths and edges of trees, in sparse forests as well as on embankments, meadows and pastures. Basically, the species thrives in both full sun and light shaded places, but often grows larger in a darker location.
Floor
Basically, the dog rose feels comfortable on any soil as long as it is not too wet. Whether sandy, humus or loamy – dog roses are very adaptable. However, the species thrives best on fresh to slightly dry substrates with a neutral pH value. The plant usually tolerates occasional fluctuations in the alkaline or acidic range very well.
Planting hedge roses correctly
This dog rose grows several meters high and just as wide within a short period of time, which is why you have to pay attention to appropriate spacing when planting in a hedge, in a group or as a solitary plant. Plan around two to three plants per square meter and ensure that the soil is thoroughly loosened before planting - the dog rose is a deep-rooted plant and needs a substrate that is sufficiently well rooted. Add plenty of compost to the excavation, water the wild rose well after planting and hill it up slightly around the main trunk.read more
Watering and fertilizing
Basically, you don't have to water or fertilize the dog rose, because the undemanding plant gets what it needs on its own.
Cut hedge roses correctly
Cutting measures are also not necessary. You should only keep it under control with scissors if the overgrown shrub becomes too large. In addition, occasional rejuvenation pruning can promote flowering. To do this, shorten the older shoots in spring, and dried and wilted branches should be removed regularly. Never prune last year's shoots, as this is where the flowers are formed.
Propagate wild roses
Dog roses are easy to propagate by seeds or cuttings. It is also advisable to bury root barriers if necessary - the species produces numerous root runners, which also contribute to reproduction.
Wintering
Since this dog rose is extremely hardy, no special protective measures are necessary for wintering.
Diseases and pests
The Rosa canina is largely resistant to the otherwise common rose diseases. Only some pests can be problematic, such as the rose gall wasp, the garden leaf beetle or the golden rose beetle.
Tip
The dog rose is also rarely found in nature as a pure species, as it easily crosses with other types of roses - especially with the Rosa tomentosa or Rosa gallica). That is why numerous variants and sections of the species can be found in the trade, but they differ only slightly.
Species and varieties
In addition to the dog rose described here, which is probably the most widespread dog rose, there are other wild rose species that are native to various regions of Germany. The popular and very numerous varieties of Rosa rugosa – the potato or apple rose – are viewed critically by some gardeners. The species, which comes from East Asia, is considered a neophyte that displaces native wild roses. However, most of the plants cultivated in our gardens also fall into this category.
The most beautiful types of wild roses for the garden:
Tufted rose / Multi-flowered rose (bot. Rosa multiflora)
This wild rose is characterized by numerous small, white flowers that are arranged in an umbel shape and appear between June and July. The delicate flowers exude a strong honey scent that is very attractive to bees. The fast-growing species (growth rate of up to 75 centimeters per year) can be up to three meters high and just as wide. To plant a hedge, three to four plants should be planted per square meter.
Wine rose / Scottish fence rose (bot. Rosa rubiginosa)
The heavily prickly vine rose forms dense, impenetrable hedges. The fast-growing shrub (growth rate of up to 60 centimeters per year) is up to 350 centimeters high and 250 centimeters wide. It initially grows upright, but later develops strongly overhanging shoots. The small, pink cupped flowers appear between June and July. The valuable bee food plant is also a valuable bird protection tree. For a hedge, plant a maximum of two specimens per square meter.
Pike rose / red-leaved rose (bot. Rosa glauca)
The upright and rather bushy growing pike rose is up to 250 centimeters high and 130 centimeters wide. The light pink, small cupped flowers bloom in abundance between June and July and form numerous rose hips until autumn.
Alpine dog rose (bot. Rosa pendulina)
This distinctive species of wild rose, native to the Alpine regions, produces numerous bright purple-pink colored flower bowls up to ten centimeters in size. These appear as early as May and continue into June. The species grows up to one and a half meters high and just as wide.
Creeping rose / field rose (bot. Rosa arvensis)
As the name suggests, this is a creeping or, if given the opportunity, a climbing species. As a ground cover, the creeping rose grows up to 50 centimeters high, and as a climbing plant it reaches a height of up to two meters. The small, white flowers appear in July.
Cinnamon rose (bot. Rosa majalis)
This very robust and undemanding species - it grows in almost any soil and can even tolerate short floods - grows up to 160 centimeters high, spreads very quickly in the garden through runners and impresses with its dark color, which can be admired between May and June - to violet-pink flowers.
Chinese gold rose (bot. Rosa hugonis)
This is a type of wild rose that comes from Asia and is cultivated primarily because of the delicate yellow color of its flowers, which appear early in April. The shrub grows up to two meters high and can be planted both as a solitary plant and in the form of a hedge. Although the golden rose is quite hardy, it needs light protection from frost.
Glossy-leaved rose (bot. Rosa nitida)
The Rosa nitida only grows to around 70 centimeters high, but it immediately catches the eye with its shiny, dark green leaves and bright pink flowers. The very undemanding species thrives almost everywhere - even on wet and acidic soils - but due to its strong runner formation it is best suited for strengthening embankments and slopes.
Potato rose / apple rose (bot. Rosa rugosa)
This species from East Asia - which is sometimes also called the Japanese rose - is enjoying growing popularity in German gardens. Rosa rugosa grows up to 150 centimeters high, 100 centimeters wide and, in contrast to most wild rose species that only bloom once, blooms continuously from June to October. The species is very robust and there are also some interesting cultivars.
Dune rose / Bibernell rose (bot. Rosa pimpinellifolia)
The species, sometimes also known as coastal rose, is widespread on the northern German coast. The shrub, which is up to one and a half meters high and two meters wide, needs a barren, calcareous location, is very insensitive to drought and reproduces itself using numerous runners. The small, yellowish-white cupped flowers appear between May and June.
