Rosa rugosa 'Alba' (Non-native Rose)

Plant Description: This plant is a bristly, prickly, sprawling shrub rose that typically grows in a rounded form. Slowly spreading by suckers to form dense thickets over time. Odd-pinnate dark green leaves (each with 5-9 leaflets) turn yellow (sometimes a quality orange-red) in fall. Each leaflet has pronounced veins, a wrinkled appearance, serrated edges and downy undersides. Fragrant flowers are white and are primarily single with 5 petals. 

Flowers are followed by fleshy, edible (with some bitterness), tomato-shaped hips. Hips can be used to make jams and jellies (rose hip jam).

• Height: 4-6ft
• Width: 4-6ft
• Watering needs: minimal
• Sun needs: full sun
• Soil needs: adaptable 
• Bloom Time: May to July, sometimes again early fall
• Ripening Time: late summer until fall

Landscape Use and Ecological Function: Rosa rugosa is native to northern China, Korea and Japan. This plant will attract birds and butterflies. 

Best grown in moist, slightly acidic, well-drained garden loams, but this rose is also very adaptable to somewhat poor soils, including sandy, clay or gravelly ones. Excellent drainage is one of the keys to growing this shrub well. Avoid wet soils.