What hardiness zones is Rosa glauca suitable for?

Rosa glauca is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.

How much water does Rosa glauca need?

Rosa glauca has Low water needs.

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Deciduous Shrubs

Rosa glauca

redleaf rose

Rosaceae

Central and southern Europe (Pyrenees to Caucasus)

At a Glance

TypeShrub

HabitUpright

FoliageDeciduous

Height5-8 feet (1.5-2.4 m)

Width4-6 feet (1.2-1.8 m)

Maturity4 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

2 - 8

Zone 2

Zone 3

Zone 4

Zone 5

Zone 6

Zone 7

Zone 8

These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.

Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators

Attracts Butterflies

Deer Resistant

Drought Tolerant

Maintenancevery low

Overview

Rosa glauca (syn. Rosa rubrifolia) is a deciduous species rose reaching 5-8 feet (1.5-2.4 m) tall with a spread of 4-6 feet (1.2-1.8 m), developing an upright, arching, vase-shaped form. This species is grown primarily for its foliage rather than its flowers — a rarity among roses. Canes are reddish-purple, smooth, and nearly thornless, with a waxy bloom. Leaves are alternate, pinnately compound, with 5-9 small, elliptic leaflets, each 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) long. Foliage color is the primary ornamental feature: a striking glaucous blue-gray to coppery-purple, with the exact shade depending on sun exposure — more purple in full sun, more blue-gray in shade. Flowers are single, 5-petaled, 1-1.5 inches (2.5-4 cm) across, clear pink with a white eye and prominent yellow stamens, borne in small clusters of 2-5 in June. Flowers are modest and short-lived but attractive. Fruit (hips) are small, round, dark red, 0.5 inch (13 mm) across, produced abundantly and persisting through winter. Growth rate is moderate at 12-18 inches (30-46 cm) per year. Among the most disease-resistant of all roses; essentially immune to black spot and powdery mildew. Self-seeds moderately; seedlings are true to type. A Great Plant Picks recommendation for the Pacific Northwest.

Native Range

Native to central and southern Europe, from the Pyrenees through the Alps and Balkans to Turkey and the Caucasus. Occurs in open forests, forest margins, hedgerows, and rocky slopes at elevations from sea level to 6,500 feet (2,000 m).

Suggested Uses

Planted in mixed borders, hedgerows, and naturalized areas where the unique foliage color provides contrast with green-leaved plants, spaced 4-5 feet (1.2-1.5 m) apart. The purple-blue foliage is a valuable design element, particularly effective against silver-leaved plants (Artemisia, lavender) and chartreuse foliage. Cut branches are prized in floral arrangements. Hip-laden branches provide winter interest. Effective as an informal hedge. A Great Plant Picks recommendation.

How to Identify

Identified by distinctive glaucous blue-gray to coppery-purple foliage, reddish-purple nearly thornless canes, single pink flowers with white eye, and abundant small dark red hips. The unique foliage color is unmistakable among roses. Distinguished from all other roses by the blue-gray to purple leaf color. Distinguished from purple-leaved cultivars of other species by the compound rose leaves and hip production.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height5' - 8'

Width/Spread4' - 6'

Reaches mature size in approximately 4 years

Colors

Flower Colors

pink

Foliage Colors

purple

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks

Summer

Single pink flowers with white centers in small clusters appear in June, lasting 2-3 weeks. Bloom is attractive but brief and secondary to the foliage display. Do not deadhead — the abundant dark red hips that follow are a significant ornamental feature from September through winter. Hips are consumed by birds in late winter.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Clear pink with white eye

Foliage Description

Glaucous blue-gray to coppery-purple

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Partial Shade

Requires 4-12 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 Range5.5 - 8.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loamsandclaychalk

Drainage

well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Water regularly during the first growing season. Established plants are moderately drought-tolerant. Plant in full sun for the most vivid purple foliage color; part shade produces more blue-gray tones — both are attractive. Tolerates a wide range of soils including poor, rocky, and alkaline. Essentially disease-free; requires no fungicide applications. Self-seeds moderately; remove seedlings if spread is not desired, or allow to naturalize. One of the lowest-maintenance roses available.

Pruning

Prune in late winter (February through March). Remove oldest canes (more than 4-5 years) at the base to promote vigorous new growth with the best foliage color. Retain 5-8 strong canes. Shorten remaining canes by one-third if a more compact form is desired. The arching habit is a natural feature; avoid over-pruning to a stiff, upright form. Remove suckers if spread is not desired.

Pruning Schedule

late spring

Maintenance Level

very low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic