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Rosa californica

California wild rose

Rosaceae Western United States

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Drought Tolerant Fragrant (light)

Native to North America

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 6–10

Overview

Rosa californica is a deciduous shrub native to the western United States, growing 3-8 feet (0.9-2.4 m) tall and spreading by rhizomes into thickets 6 feet (1.8 m) or more across. The arching, prickly canes carry compound leaves of five to seven toothed leaflets, each 0.5-1.5 inches (1-4 cm) long. Clusters of pink flowers 1.5-2 inches (4-5 cm) wide open from May to August, each with five petals and a center of yellow stamens, carrying a light fragrance. By autumn the flowers form round to oval red hips 0.5 inch (1.3 cm) long that persist into winter. The plant grows along streambanks, in valleys, and on slopes below 6,000 feet (1,800 m), tolerating seasonal flooding and summer drought once established. The curved prickles and suckering habit make it hard to contain in small gardens. Hips and dense cover support birds and small mammals.

Native Range

Native to the western United States and northern Baja California, ranging through California into southern Oregon, chiefly in the Coast Ranges, Sierra Nevada foothills, and Central Valley.

Suggested Uses

Used for habitat plantings, streambank stabilization, and informal hedgerows on large sites. The thicket habit forms a barrier and screens space. It combines with other western natives in dry or riparian gardens.

How to Identify

Identified by arching canes with stout, curved prickles and clusters of five-petaled pink flowers rather than solitary blooms. Leaves bear five to seven sharply toothed leaflets with a grayish, sometimes hairy underside. Red hips with persistent sepals follow the flowers.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height3' - 8'

Width/Spread4' - 6'

Reaches mature size in approximately 4 years

Colors

Flower Colors

pink

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

yellow

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~12 weeks

Summer

Flowers open from May through August, peaking in June and July. Pink five-petaled blooms appear in clusters of 3-30 at the cane tips. Individual flowers last a few days, with each cluster blooming over several weeks.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

clay loam sand

Drainageaverage

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

3-5 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grows in full sun to part shade in a wide range of soils from sand to clay, with a pH of 6.0-7.5. Tolerates seasonal flooding, heavy clay, and extended summer drought once roots establish. Occasional deep watering in the first two summers speeds establishment in dry sites. Rhizomes spread to form thickets, which can be limited by removing suckers each season. Hardy in USDA zones 6-10. Rust, blackspot, and aphids occur but rarely require treatment on established plants.

Pruning

Thinning the oldest canes at the base in late winter keeps thickets open and renews flowering wood. Suckers are dug out to limit spread. Hard renewal cutting every few years controls size on vigorous plants.

Pruning Schedule

winter

✓ Toxicity

Non-toxic