What hardiness zones is Rosa rugosa suitable for?

Rosa rugosa is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.

How much water does Rosa rugosa need?

Rosa rugosa has Low water needs.

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Deciduous Shrubs

Rosa rugosa

rugosa rose

Rosaceae

Northeast Asia (Japan, Korea, northern China, Russian Far East)

At a Glance

TypeShrub

HabitMounding

FoliageDeciduous

Height4-6 feet (1.2-1.8 m)

Width4-6 feet (1.2-1.8 m)

Maturity4 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

2 - 9

Zone 2

Zone 3

Zone 4

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

Deer Resistant

Drought Tolerant

Fragrant (strong)

Maintenancevery low

Overview

Rosa rugosa is a dense, suckering deciduous shrub reaching 4-6 feet (1.2-1.8 m) tall with a spread of 4-6 feet (1.2-1.8 m), forming broad, rounded, impenetrable thickets through root suckers. The species name refers to the rugose (wrinkled, deeply veined) leaves — a distinctive identification feature. Canes are densely covered with straight prickles and bristles of varying sizes, making the plant effectively impenetrable. Leaves are alternate, pinnately compound, with 5-9 leaflets, each 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) long, thick, leathery, dark green, and deeply wrinkled (rugose) with sunken veins — unlike the smooth, glossy leaves of most other roses. Fall foliage is yellow to orange. Flowers are single (5 petals) to semi-double, 2.5-3.5 inches (6-9 cm) across, in shades of magenta-pink to purple-pink (white in f. alba), intensely fragrant with a strong, classic rose scent, produced singly or in small clusters. Repeat-blooming from June through September. Hips are large, 1-1.25 inches (2.5-3 cm) across, round, tomato-shaped, bright orange-red, ripening in August to September and persisting into winter. Hips are edible and high in vitamin C. Growth rate is moderate at 12-18 inches (30-46 cm) per year. Tolerates salt spray, sandy soils, and extreme cold (zone 2). Essentially immune to black spot, powdery mildew, and other rose diseases. Classified as invasive in some coastal areas of the Pacific Northwest; check local regulations.

Native Range

Native to northeastern Asia including Japan, Korea, northern China, and the Russian Far East. Occurs on coastal dunes, rocky shores, and sandy coastal habitats. Widely naturalized on coastlines of North America and Europe, where it can become invasive, particularly on sandy coastal habitats.

Suggested Uses

Planted as hedging, barrier planting, coastal erosion control, and wildlife habitat, spaced 3-4 feet (0.9-1.2 m) apart. Exceptionally effective for coastal gardens due to salt spray tolerance. The large, edible hips are valued for making rose hip jam, syrup, and tea (high in vitamin C). Dense prickly thickets provide secure nesting habitat for birds. Check invasive status before planting near coastal ecosystems. The cultivar 'Hansa' (semi-double, magenta, intensely fragrant) and f. alba (single, white) are widely planted.

How to Identify

Identified by deeply wrinkled (rugose), thick, leathery leaves with sunken veins — unique among roses. Canes are densely covered with straight prickles of varying sizes. Flowers are large, single, fragrant, magenta-pink. Hips are large, round, tomato-shaped, bright orange-red. Distinguished from all other roses by the rugose leaf texture. Distinguished from Rosa glauca by green (not blue-purple) foliage and rugose (not smooth) texture.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height4' - 6'

Width/Spread4' - 6'

Reaches mature size in approximately 4 years

Colors

Flower Colors

pink

purple

white

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

yellow

orange

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~14 weeks

SummerFall

Repeat-blooming from June through September. First flush in June is heaviest; subsequent flushes continue through summer. Flowers and hips are often present simultaneously from midsummer onward. Intensely fragrant — among the most fragrant of all roses. Hips ripen August to September, persisting through winter. Do not deadhead if hip production is desired.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Magenta-pink to purple-pink (white in f. alba)

Foliage Description

Dark green, deeply wrinkled (rugose)

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

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 Range5.5 - 8.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loamsandclay

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 during the first growing season. Established plants are highly drought-tolerant. Tolerates salt spray, sandy soils, poor soils, and exposed coastal conditions. Plant in full sun with at least 6 hours of direct light. Tolerates a wide range of soils from sand to clay. Essentially disease-free; no fungicide applications needed. Spreads by root suckers; install a root barrier in confined spaces or where spread is not desired. Check local invasive species regulations — classified as invasive in some coastal areas. Do not plant near sensitive coastal dune ecosystems. Avoid fertilization with products containing systemic insecticides, as flowers attract pollinators.

Pruning

Prune in late winter (February through March). Remove oldest canes (more than 5 years) at the base. Shorten remaining canes by one-third. Remove suckers at the colony perimeter if spread control is needed. Can be rejuvenated by cutting the entire plant to 6-12 inches (15-30 cm) from the ground in late winter; vigorous regrowth occurs. For hedges, shear lightly after the first flush of bloom.

Pruning Schedule

late spring

Maintenance Level

very low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic