The term "dog rose" does not refer to a specific species, but to a number of different species of wild rose. Above all, the two varieties that are native to us, which are very similar on the outside and therefore easily confused, Rosa corymbifera (which is actually the dog rose) and Rosa canina (also known as dog rose) are sold as dog roses. All wild rose species are distinguished by their beauty and robustness and do not require much care. This article is primarily about the dog rose, but there are few differences between the individual species in terms of location, soil and care requirements.

The dog rose is a beautiful wild rose

Table of Contents

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  1. origin and use
  2. appearance and growth
  3. flowers and flowering time
  4. fruit
  5. toxicity
  6. Which location is suitable?
  7. floor
  8. Plant wild roses correctly
  9. watering and fertilizing
  10. Pruning wild roses properly
  11. propagate wild roses
  12. hibernate
  13. diseases and pests
  14. species and varieties

    15. origin and use

    The dog rose (bot. Rosa canina) gets its name - which means "common" rose - because of its widespread distribution throughout Europe and even in north-west Africa. Basically, this popular dog rose grows almost everywhere and is practically impossible to break. In fact, the species can become very old, as evidenced by the famous thousand-year-old rosebush - a symbol of the city of Hildesheim. This was planted when the diocese was founded in the early Middle Ages and even sprout again after a few weeks after a fire caused by a bomb attack during the Second World War.

    appearance and growth

    Even if the famous thousand-year-old rose bush is now more than ten meters high and climbs up the choir wall of the Hildesheim Mariendom thanks to trellises, this does not correspond to the natural growth of the species. Normal specimens reach heights of growth of between two and three meters and are about as wide . The very fast-growing species grows loosely upright and develops overhanging branches with age. The trunk of the extremely hardy dog rose is also covered with numerous large spikes.

    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 two inches in diameter, lightly scented, and typically pink. Like all wild roses, the dog rose is also an important plant that feeds insects, since - with the exception of butterflies - all insects feed on their pollen.

    fruit

    In autumn, on the other hand, both birds and people are happy about the edible rose hips, which are very rich in vitamin C. These are so-called aggregate nuts that only ripen very late in October and November. They often remain on the bush until spring and are a valuable winter food source for birds. People can process the wild fruit, which is bright orange-red when ripe, into jams, jellies and liqueurs and, when dried, into tea.

    toxicity

    The wild roses described here as dog 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 shady, but still bright locations such as along the edges of paths and trees, in sparse forests and on embankments, meadows and pastures. Basically, the species thrives in full sun as well as in light and shady 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, humic 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.

    Plant wild roses correctly

    This dog rose grows several meters high and just as wide within a short time, which is why you have to pay attention to appropriate distances in a hedge, a group or a solitary planting. Plan around two to three plants per square meter and ensure that the soil is thoroughly loosened before planting - the dog rose is one of the deep-rooted plants and needs a substrate with good root penetration. Add plenty of compost to the excavation, water the wild rose well after planting and lightly pile it up around the main stem.
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    watering and fertilizing

    Basically, you don't have to water or fertilize the dog rose, because the undemanding plant gets what it needs all by itself.

    Pruning wild roses properly

    Cutting measures are also not necessary. Only when the rampant shrub gets too big should you keep it under control with scissors. In addition, an occasional rejuvenation cut can promote flowering. To do this, shorten the older shoots in the spring, and dry and withered branches should also be removed regularly. Never prune last year's shoots, as they form the flowers.

    propagate wild roses

    Dog roses are easy to propagate from seeds or cuttings. It is also advisable to bury root barriers if necessary - the species forms numerous root suckers, which also contribute to propagation.

    hibernate

    Since this dog rose is extremely hardy, no special protective measures are necessary for overwintering.

    diseases and pests

    The Rosa canina is largely resistant to the otherwise common rose diseases. Only some pests such as the rose gall wasp, the garden chafer or the golden rose chafer can become problematic.

    tips

    In nature, too, the dog rose is rarely found as a pure species, since it easily crosses with other types of roses - especially with the Rosa tomentosa or the Rosa gallica). Therefore, numerous variants and sections of the species can be found in the trade, which, however, 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. On the other hand, the popular and numerous varieties of Rosa rugosa - the potato or apple rose - is viewed critically by some gardeners. The species, which originates 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 wild rose species 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 umbels and appear between June and July. The delicate flowers give off a strong honey scent that is very attractive to bees. The fast-growing species (growth rate up to 75 centimeters per year) can be up to three meters high and just as wide. For a hedge planting, three to four plants should be planted per square meter.

    Wine Rose / Scottish Wood Rose (bot. Rosa rubiginosa)

    The heavily thorned vine rose forms dense, impenetrable hedges. The fast-growing shrub (growth rate up to 60 centimeters per year) is up to 350 centimeters high and 250 centimeters wide. It initially grows upright, but later develops overhanging shoots. The small, pink bowl-shaped flowers appear between June and July. The valuable bee food plant is also a valuable bird protection tree. Plant a maximum of two specimens per square meter for a hedge.

    Pike rose / Red-leaved rose (bot. Rosa glauca)

    The upright and rather bushy pike rose grows up to 250 centimeters high and 130 centimeters wide. The light pink, small bowl-shaped flowers bloom in large numbers between June and July and form numerous rosehips by autumn.

    Alpine dogrose (bot. Rosa pendulina)

    This distinctive wild rose species native to the Alpine regions forms numerous, up to ten centimeters large, bright purple-pink colored flower cups. These appear as early as May and can be seen well 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 groundcover, the creeping rose grows up to 50 centimeters high, 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 on almost any soil and even tolerates short floods - grows up to 160 centimeters high, spreads very quickly in the garden with runners and delights with its dark to violet-pink flowers, which can be admired between May and June.

    Chinese gold rose (bot. Rosa hugonis)

    This is a wild rose species from Asia, which is mainly cultivated for the delicate yellow color of its flowers, which appear early in April. The shrub grows up to two meters high and can be planted as a solitary plant or as a hedge. Although the gold rose is quite hardy, it needs a little protection from frost.

    Glossy-leaved rose (bot. Rosa nitida)

    The Rosa nitida is only about 70 centimeters high, but 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 soil - but is best suited for strengthening embankments and slopes due to its strong formation of runners.

    Potato rose / apple rose (bot. Rosa rugosa)

    This East Asian species - sometimes referred to as the Japanese rose - is becoming increasingly popular 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, flowers continuously from June to October. The species is very robust, and there are also some interesting cultivars.

    Dune rose / burnet rose (bot. Rosa pimpinellifolia)

    The species, sometimes also known as the coast rose, is widespread on the north German coast. The shrub, 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 by means of numerous runners. The small, yellowish-white bowl-shaped flowers appear between May and June.

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Herbs