Rosa virginiana (Virginia Rose)

Fast-growing and extremely cold hardy, Rosa virginiana (Virginia Rose) is an upright, deciduous, suckering shrub with attractive, dark-green foliage that turns fire orange-red in the fall. In summer, a profusion of fragrant, single, pale to bright pink flowers, 3 in. across (6 cm), are on display.

Fast-growing and extremely cold hardy, Rosa virginiana (Virginia Rose) is an upright, deciduous, suckering shrub with attractive, dark-green foliage that turns fire orange-red in the fall. In summer, a profusion of fragrant, single, pale to bright pink flowers, 3 in. across (6 cm), are on display. They are followed by abundant, red, pumpkin-shaped fruits that persist for several months. They are often used to make jams and jellies – unless hungry birds happily feast on them. Tolerant to a wide range of soil types and undemanding, Virginia Rose is a lovely addition to a wildlife garden or seaside planting, thanks to its salt tolerance.

  • Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.
  • Grows up to 4-6 ft. tall (120-180 cm) and 6-8 ft. wide (180-240 cm).
  • Best grown in full sun or part shade, in well-drained soils. Tolerant of poor soils. For best flowering, apply a balanced fertilizer and mulch in late winter or early spring.
  • Perfect for cottage gardens, wildflower meadows, and coastal gardens.
  • Watch for rose rust and powdery mildews. May be affected by aphids, leafhoppers, glasshouse red spider mite, scale insects, caterpillars and rose leaf-rolling sawfly
  • Attractive to pollinating insects, butterflies, and birds
  • Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings in late summer or hardwood cuttings in autumn.
  • Native to the southeastern United States.

Requirements

Hardiness 3
– 8

Plant Type Roses, Shrubs
Plant Family Rosa – Shrub Roses, Rosa – Roses
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Early,Mid,Late)FallWinter
Height 4'
– 6'
(120cm
– 180cm)
Spread 6'
– 8'
(180cm
– 240cm)
Spacing 96″ (240cm)
Water Needs Low, Average
Maintenance Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy, Fruit & Berries
Native Plants United States, Midwest, Illinois, Missouri, Northeast, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Southeast, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia
Tolerance Salt
Attracts Birds, Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds and Borders
Garden Styles Coastal Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow