Virginia Rose

Rosa virginiana

Summary

For many gardeners, June means roses, and Rosa virginiana is the best of the best– low-maintenance, with all the fragrance and beauty of a hybrid.
This suckering, deciduous native shrub, also known as wild rose or prairie rose, grows vigorously to 4-6 ft in a variety of soils and conditions. Not for the faint of heart, its stems are covered with sharp, hooked barbs (properly called prickles, not thorns), so it’s deer- resistant.
 In autumn, R.virginiana boasts stunning multi-colored fall foliage, and the red hips and canes are attractive during the winter months. Plant it in the back of a border or on property edges or natural areas of your garden, and you’ll be rewarded all year long!

More Details

FAMILY

Rosaceae (Rose)

BLOOM TIME

June, July, August

FLOWER

Pink with yellow centers

MATURE SIZE

6-10 feet

LIGHT REQUIREMENT

Sun-Part Shade

SOIL CONDITIONS

Moist

NATIVE STATUS

PA Native

Ecosystem Connections

Lovely pink flowers blooming June-August are highly attractive to bees and butterflies. These blooms give way to red fruit or ‘ hips’, which are prized by birds, and the dense cover provided by its canes is also appreciated by many birds and small mammals.

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