How to grow and care for dog rose
Advice on growing and caring for dog rose, in our Grow Guide.
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| Prune | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
The dog rose (Rosa canina), is a vigorous shrub that’s often grown as a hedge, with pretty pink flowers in summer. Although it tends to reach around a height of 2m as a hedge, the dog rose is fast growing and, if given enough support, will climb up other shrubs or trees. Apparently, it's called the dog rose because its roots were believed to cure the bite of a rabid dog. A more apt name for this native plant is briar rose, due to its scrambling thorny stems.
Wild roses flower just once, rather than repeat flowering throughout summer and into autumn, as many cultivated rose varieties do. Their summer flowers are followed by a prolific display of vibrant rosehips, which are eaten by birds such as blackbirds, redwings and fieldfares, as well as small mammals like bank voles and squirrels. Rosehips are a good source of vitamin C, with 20 times the amount of vitamin C than oranges (weight for weight), and can be made into syrups or jellies.
Rosa canina will flower in early summer and produce hips in autumn. It’s an excellent plant for wildlife.
How to grow dog rose
Grow dog roses in full sun either as a large shrub in the border or as a hedging plant. It's not necessary to feed wild roses. Prune from late autumn through to early spring, ideally leaving the rosehips for wildlife.
Where to grow dog rose
Dog roses put on their best display in full sun in moist but well-drained soil, but they can tolerate some shade and poor soil. You will often see them in hedges in the countryside, and they can be used in planting areas including coastal areas (where they make a good wind barrier), the edges of woodland, as hedging for a boundary or as an ornamental shrub.
How to plant dog rose
The most economical way to buy dog roses is to buy bare-root plants, which can be planted between November and April. Plant bare root roses as soon as possible after they arrive. Soak the rootball well before planting.
- Dig a hole that is the same depth and width as your space.
- Fork over the bottom of the hole and add some granular fertiliser.
- Place the rose in the hole. Place a bamboo cane across the hole and plant the rose so that its base is just below the cane
- Add some compost to the soil that you've dug out of the hole. Then fill in around the rose, firming the plant in well. Water after planting.
To grow a dog rose hedge, you will need around three to seven bare-root plants per metre. This varies depending on the size of plant you purchase.
How to care for dog roses
Water new roses in summer until they are established. It's not necessary to feed wild roses.
How to prune dog rose
Prune dog roses once flowering is over, from late autumn through to early spring, however you may want to leave pruning as late as possible to ensure wildlife can use the hips. Aim to remove any dead, diseased wood as well as crossing or weak branches. If the centre of the shrub is congested, remove a a couple of older stems as well.
How to propagate dog rose
The best way to make more dog rose plants is to take hardwood cuttings. This is can be done in autumn. Cut a section of new stem (from the current year's growth), above a node (where leaves, buds and shoots emerge from the stem). Cut your stem into pieces 25-30cm long, cutting at an angle just above the top bud and straight across just below the bottom bud. This will help you plant the cutting the right way up.
Make a slit trench in the soil as deep as your spade’s blade. Push the earth back. Insert your cuttings into the trench leaving a quarter of the cutting above the soil. Firm the soil around the cuttings and water well.
Pests and diseases
All roses attract aphids, sawfly larvae and leafhoppers. These are not usually a problem unless found in large quantities, and it's always best to let natural predators, such as birds and wasps, keep numbers under control. Depending on where you live, rabbits and deer may nibble young shoots, though the thorny stems of dog rose means that they usually don’t pose a significant problem.
Wild rose species including dog rose are far less prone to rose diseases compared to highly cultivated varieties. Powdery mildew is most likely to affect dog rose during long periods of dry weather, appearing as a white powdery coating on the leaves. Other diseases are less likely to occur include rose rust, blackspot, rose replant disease and die back.
Frequently asked questions
Are dog roses invasive?
In the UK, dog rose is a native species and is not an invasive plant. However, in some countries, where dog rose has been introduced, such as North America and parts of New Zealand, dog rose is classified as an invasive plant due to its vigorous growth and stems that scramble up into the taller growth of adjacent trees and shrubs.
What is dog rose used for?
Dog rose is an excellent wildlife plant, with nectar rich flowers that attract pollinating insects, and rosehips, which are eaten by birds and small mammals. Its dense, thorny growth makes it a good choice for a hedge. Rosehips are rich in Vitamin C and the flesh is edible for humans, although it's essential not to consume the inner hairs, which are an irritant.
Advice on buying dog rose
- Dog roses may be sold as Rosa canina
- To find out how many plants you will need for a hedge, check with your garden centre or nursery before buying
- Buying bare-root roses is cheaper than buying roses in pots but these can only be planted during the dormant season. Pot-grown roses can be planted all year round, apart from when the ground is waterlogged or frozen
- Check your plant carefully for signs of pests or diseases before buying
Where to buy dog rose
