Virginia Rose
Rosa virginiana

Photo by Jen Neal
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.