Wild Roses

They inspire poetry, are a favorite flower to give as an expression of love and for many, roses are a must have in a garden. There are all sorts to choose from with varying colours, fragrances and shapes. When selecting roses for your garden, keep in mind that Canada is home to many native species. While their look is different from that of the classic rose, they are equally beautiful and fragrant. And when faced with our Canadian climate, wild roses are typically more hardy, pest-resistant and beneficial to wildlife than their cultivated kin.

A wild rose was even the choice of schoolchildren back in the 1930s when selecting Alberta’s floral emblem (Rosa acicularis).

Appearance

Native roses have pink blossoms, ranging from very pale to deep tones. They typically bloom around the end of June or early July. If you prefer a longer flowering period you can remove the flower as the petals begin to fall, but this can prevent hips from forming, minimizing the plant’s fall and winter appeal. Their stems usually have thorns and their compound leaves (comprising several small leaflets) are arranged alternately along the stem. They often have a bushy appearance and interesting fall colour.

Uses

Roses have been used by people for centuries. Cosmetic uses include the application of rosewater as an astringent for the complexion, but also for its lovely smell.

Roses have also served as food and medicine in the past, and are still used by many today. Rose hips are nourishing because of their high vitamin C content and antioxidants, along with other vitamins and minerals such as zinc. They were used to treat scurvy, numerous infections and to promote digestion. You can pick the ripe red hips in the fall (although some wait until after the first frost) to nibble on or to make a tea. While the seeds are edible, they don’t taste overly great and can be cut or strained out. Some species are fleshier than others. Rose hips have also been used in baked goods and puddings, and their pectin has been used as a thickener.

Rose petals are also edible and can be sprinkled into salads — a feast for the eye and a conversation starter! They can also be made into jams, jellies, vinegars, syrups or even added to a sandwich. Remove the white base of the petal as it can be bitter. Candied rose petals are added to cakes for both decoration and consumption.

Rose petal essential oil is used both cosmetically and medicinally, helping to soothe and balance the body. But the purer the quality, the more pricey it becomes, as many flowers are needed just to make one drop of the oil.

Aboriginals are reputed to have used part of the roots as an ointment for sore eyes, and the wood of the plant for arrows.

Of course, the pollen on the wild rose’s many bright yellow anthers are a valued food source for many beneficial insects, including bees. Rose hips are a winter food for birds and mammals such as waxwings, pine grosbeaks, grouse, rabbits, coyotes and skunks.

(Caution: We are not recommending the use of these plants for medicinal or food purposes. Many plants are poisonous or harmful if eaten or used externally. The information on food and medicinal value is only added for interest. This information has been gathered from books and its accuracy has not been tested.)

Propagation

Collect rose hips once they are ripe (usually red or orange in colour). Remove the seeds and gently rub the plumpest with sandpaper. Plant immediately and watch for seedlings the following spring. According to William Cullina in his book Native Trees, Shrubs and Vines, “powdery mildew is usually not a severe problem in the garden and in the wild, but it can get pretty bad under irrigation in the nursery.” He therefore recommends keeping them in an open spot that gets sun and good air circulation, and watering in the mornings.

You can also start new plants by digging up new shoots that spread from the mother plant, or from cuttings, although some find this less successful than using seeds.

Care

These plants don’t usually require much assistance once established. They should do very well if given lots of positive attention and a suitable home in their native regions under conditions that mimic their natural habitat. In fact, they don’t need mulching or netting to protect against the winter elements, nor are they as susceptible to pests as their classic rose counterparts, although they can get a powdery mildew or black spot.

Ideally you should provide them with sun, well-drained soil and water at the base of the plant in the mornings. In the spring, cut back deadwood but leave living canes as they flower on older stems.

Some Canadian Species

Prickly rose, Arctic flame (Rosa acicularis)

Native to: the Yukon, N.W.T., B.C., Alta., Sask., Man., Ont. and Que
Habitat: thickets, rocky slopes, open areas and sunny areas with dry or well-drained soil
Appearance: This shrub grows 90 to 120 centimetres at maturity (although some say 150 or even 250 centimetres in shade), and has large deep-pink flowers.

Prairie rose (Rosa arkansana)

Native to: Alta., Sask. and Man.
Habitat: prairies, fencerows and open woods — sun and dry, well-drained soil
Appearance: pale pink blossoms with dark pink in the veins; plants grow 30 to 60 centimetres.

Meadow rose, smooth rose (Rosa blanda)

Native to: eSask., Man., Ont., Que., N.B. and N.S.
Habitat: thickets, open woods, meadows, roadsides, rocky slopes and shores — sun or partial sun, dry to moist soil
Appearance: dark pink becoming pale by the end of its bloom period; plants reach 60 to 180 centimetres. Thorns are few and fine.

Pasture rose (Rosa carolina)

Native to: Ont., Que., N.B., N.S. and P.E.I.
Habitat: open woods, rocky or sandy areas, field edges and woodlands — sun, dry to moist soil
Appearance: This rose reaches approximately 60 to 90 centimetres at maturity and has pale or deep pink blooms.

Baldhip rose (Rosa gymnocarpa)

Native to: sB.C.
Habitat: woods and clearings — partial shade to full shade, dry to moist soil
Appearance: 30 to 240 centimetres

Shining rose (Rosa nitida)

Native to: Ont., Que., N.L., N.B., P.E.I. and N.S.
Habitat: acid bogs, wet thickets and along ponds, rivers and streams — sun, wet soil
Appearance: This low growing species reaches 30 to 60 centimetres at maturity and has shiny green leaves and dark pink flowers.

Nootka rose (Rosa nutkana)

Native to: coastal B.C.
Habitat: shorelines, roadsides, thickets and clearings — sun, dry to moist soil
Appearance: large, pale-pink flowers on a tall plant reaching 150 to 300 centimetres

Swamp rose, marsh rose (Rosa palustris)

Native to: Ont., Que., N.B. and N.S.
Habitat: bogs, damp shores, freshwater margins and swamps — sun, moist to wet soil
Appearance: pink flowers; plants grow 90 to 150 centimetres.

Climbing prairie rose (Rosa setigera)

Native to: sOnt.
Habitat: thickets, hedgerows and wet areas — sun to partial shade, moist soil
Appearance: This plant has clusters of pink flowers atop long canes that can be trained along fences. The flowers change from deep to pale pink, giving the shrub an interesting look. Larger leaves than the other species mentioned. Grows to 120 to 240 centimetres.

Virginia rose (Rosa virginiana)

Native to: sOnt., Que., N.L., N.B., P.E.I. and N.S.
Habitat: shores, swamps, thickets and clearings — sun to partial shade, dry to moist soil
Appearance: a tall shrub that can grow 60 to 180 centimetres; pink flowers and interesting fall foliage.

Wood rose, desert wild rose (Rosa woodsii)

Native to: southern Yukon, swN.W.T., B.C., Alta., Sask. and Man.
Habitat: roadsides, prairies, thickets, clearings, and sandy or rocky slopes — sun to partial shade, dry to moist soil
Appearance: pink; 30 to 240 centimetres