The potato rose is actually a wild rose, but can also be found in many domestic gardens. The wild form can be planted or a cultivar from it. The potato rose is particularly suitable for a useful hedge.
Potato roses make a beautiful hedge
What is a utility hedge?
A utility hedge is a hedge that not only looks good but also has a purpose. For example, it can provide food for birds, attract butterflies and insects, or even bear edible fruits for humans, such as elderberries, aronia berries, or the potato rose.
Incidentally, a hedge with potato roses has another "benefit": thorns that prevent unauthorized entry, for example by burglars, or at least make it considerably more difficult. For this, however, this hedge must be really dense.
Plant the hedge
The purpose of a hedge is that it grows nicely (opaquely) densely. You should therefore not plant the individual potato roses too far apart in a hedge. A distance of about one meter to the neighboring plant is recommended. If you don't want the hedge to spread too far, set a rhizome barrier.
Maintain the hedge
The care of this hedge is very easy, because the potato rose is very robust and quite undemanding. Drought doesn't bother her much, she only needs a little water shortly after planting to help her get started. Fertilizer is not necessary at all, because the potato rose grows well in nutrient-poor soil.
Trim the hedge properly
A hedge of potato roses grows about two meters high. If it is to remain lower, then it must be cut accordingly. Otherwise, an annual pruning is recommended to maintain the shape of the hedge and encourage the individual roses to bloom lushly.
The essentials in brief:
- suitable for medium-high and informal hedges
- has a burglary-resistant effect because of its thorns
- attracts insects and birds
- edible flower petals and rose hips
- Difficult to cut back because of the thorns
- cut back once a year
- water only after planting
- do not fertilize
tips
Wearing gloves and a heavy-duty, long-sleeved jacket when pruning your potato roses will prevent painful injuries.