Rosa gymnocarpa, bald-hip rose
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Deciduous Shrubs

Rosa gymnocarpa

bald-hip rose

Rosaceae

BC south through Washington, Oregon to California; dry to moist conifer forest understories, forest edges, and open woodlands

At a Glance

TypeShrub
HabitUpright
FoliageDeciduous
Height1-5 feet (0.3-1.5 m)
Width2-4 feet (0.6-1.2 m)
Maturity5 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

5 - 9
Zone 5
Zone 6
Zone 7
Zone 8
Zone 9
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators
Attracts Butterflies
Drought Tolerant
Fragrant (light)
Native to North America
Maintenancevery low

Overview

A small, slender, deciduous shrub in the family Rosaceae, native to dry to moist conifer forest understories, forest edges, and open woodlands from British Columbia south through Washington and Oregon to California — the smallest native rose of the Pacific Northwest and the only native PNW rose of deeply shaded forest interiors. The specific epithet gymnocarpa means 'naked fruit,' referring to the most diagnostic identification feature: the sepals fall off the hip early, before it fully ripens, leaving a smooth, 'bald' hip top — unique among native PNW roses, which all retain their sepals on ripe hips. Plants grow 1–5 feet (0.3–1.5 m) tall with slender stems armed with numerous fine, straight, needle-like prickles 1–3 mm long and, unlike most other native roses, no stout paired infrastipular spines. The pinnately compound leaves bear 5–9 small, hairless leaflets 0.5–1.5 inches (1.5–4 cm) long with doubly serrated margins. From May through July, the branch tips produce fragrant, solitary (rarely paired) pink to pale pink flowers 0.6–1 inch (15–25 mm) across with 5 petals. The hips ripen to small, oval to egg-shaped, red-orange fruits 0.3–0.5 inch (8–12 mm) long by August–September. Non-toxic; hips edible and vitamin C-rich. REVIEWER NOTE: This record (ID 2764) appears to be a probable duplicate of ID 1150 — both are Rosa gymnocarpa with identical common names. Please review for consolidation.

Native Range

Native to dry to moist conifer forest understories, forest edges, and open woodlands from British Columbia south through Washington and Oregon to California.

Suggested Uses

Planted as a small woodland understory shrub in Pacific Northwest shade gardens and native forest plantings at 2–3 foot (0.6–0.9 m) spacing — the only native PNW rose suited to dry conifer forest interior. The fragrant May–July flowers and small red-orange bald hips provide wildlife value in shaded settings. Of educational value for demonstrating deciduous sepal character (gymnocarpa = 'naked fruit') as a diagnostic feature within Rosa, and for native rose identification comparison with R. nutkana and R. pisocarpa.

How to Identify

The smallest native PNW rose — identified by its slender stems with numerous fine, straight, needle-like prickles 1–3 mm long and no stout paired infrastipular prickles at nodes (gymnocarpa = 'naked fruit'). The most diagnostic feature is the DECIDUOUS SEPALS: the sepals drop off the hip before it fully ripens, leaving a smooth, bald hip top — unique among native PNW roses, all of which retain their sepals on ripe hips. Solitary fragrant pink flowers 0.6–1 inch (15–25 mm); 5–9 small hairless leaflets with doubly serrated margins; small oval red-orange hips 0.3–0.5 inch. Found in shaded forest interior — the only native PNW rose of deep forest shade.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 5'
Width/Spread2' - 4'

Reaches mature size in approximately 5 years

Colors

Flower Colors

pink

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

yellow
orange

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~5 weeks
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SpringSummer
Blooms May through July for 4–6 weeks, producing fragrant, solitary or rarely paired, pink to pale pink five-petaled flowers 0.6–1 inch (15–25 mm) across. Attracts native bees and other pollinators. Small, smooth, oval red-orange hips ripen August–September with the diagnostic bald (sepal-less) top; consumed by birds and small mammals through fall and winter.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

pink to pale pink; fragrant solitary five-petaled 0.6–1 inch; May–July; DIAGNOSTIC: BALD HIPS — sepals drop before hip ripens (gymnocarpa = 'naked fruit'); small oval red-orange hips 0.3–0.5 inch Aug–Sept; REVIEWER: probable duplicate of ID 1150 — please review for consolidation; species = empty string corrected; category was null

Foliage Description

medium green; pinnately compound with 5–9 small hairless leaflets 0.5–1.5 inches with doubly serrated margins; slender stems with fine needle-like prickles 1–3 mm — no stout paired infrastipular prickles; only native PNW rose of deep forest shade

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Partial Shade
Full Shade
Tolerates up to 4 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 Range5.0 - 7.0(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loamsandrocky
Drainage
well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

3-5 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in partial to full shade in well-drained to average, acidic to neutral soil with a pH of 5.0–7.0. The only native PNW rose tolerating deep forest shade — uniquely suited to dry to moist conifer forest understory. More drought-tolerant in shade than other native roses. Spreads slowly by root sprouts. No fertilizer needed.

Pruning

Remove oldest canes to the base every few years in late winter to maintain vigor. Remove root sprouts to manage spread. Fine needle-like prickles — use gloves when handling.

Pruning Schedule

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early spring

Maintenance Level

very low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic