Rosa virginiana (Virginia Rose)

Recipient of the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit and confirmed salt tolerant, Virginia rose is the classic all-rounder among native roses - thriving along roadsides, beach dunes, and parking lot plantings while its easily accessible pollen makes it a genuine draw for native bees.

Species Overview

Rosa virginiana, commonly called Virginia rose, is the most common wild rose in eastern North America, a fast-growing, cold-hardy, deciduous suckering shrub reaching 4 to 6 feet tall. Fragrant, single, pale to bright pink flowers appear in summer, followed by pumpkin-shaped red fruits that persist for months, with dark green foliage turning fiery orange-red in fall.

Application

• Coastal and roadside plantings - confirmed salt tolerant
• Erosion control and dense thicket wildlife plantings
• Native bee habitat - easily accessible pollen
• Naturalized hedges and border plantings

Growing Conditions / Specification Data

• Light: Full Sun to Part Shade
• Soil/Moisture Tolerance: Moist, well-drained soils; tolerant of poor, sandy soils
• Drought Tolerance: High
• Flood Tolerance: Moderate - A moist meadow and thicket species tolerant of periodically wet soil.
• Plant Type: Shrub
• Mature Height: 4-8 ft.
• Fall Color: Yellow, Orange, Red
• Bloom Color / Period: Pink; June-August
• Wetland Indicator Status: NI (No Indicator) - see flags
• Native Range: Northeast/Mid-Atlantic (full list)
• Hydrology: Mesic-Moist
• Root Depth: Moderate (12-24 in.)
• Salinity Tolerance: Low
• Growth Rate: Moderate
• Deer Resistance: Some
• Shade Tolerance: Intermediate
• Growth Habit: Spreading - suckering
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-7
• Pollinator Value: Supports bees, supports butterflies, supports hummingbirds

Planting Guidance

• Recipient of the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit; tolerates wind but not direct maritime/salt-spray exposure. Rose hips are rich in vitamin C and used for jams and tea.