Rosa Rugosa Alba is a naturally occurring species rose with a very round, bushy habit of large, quilted, dark green foliage. Left unattended, this suckering deciduous shrub rose can spread to form dense, prickly thickets. The bush is remarkably robust, extremely disease resistant, and incredibly cold hardyup to Zone 2. It is tolerant of sandy soils and salted sea air and grows well in northern coastal regions. Rosa Rugosa Alba is a tough shrub rose, a great choice for the beginner or casual gardener.
You can expect a heavy spring flush, and a sporadic repeat up to first frost, of single, 3-inch white flowers with 5 petals, a yellow tufted boss of stamens, and a slight fragrance. In the fall, Rosa Rugosa Alba is covered in round, fat, and fleshy bright red rose hips, resembling cherry tomatoes. The hips are edible and can be made into jams and jellies. They are a good food source for wildlife and a tasty snack for birds, rich in vitamin C.
Use in mixed beds, hedges, and borders.
Genus | Rosa |
Species | Rugosa |
Item Form | Bareroot Ownroot |
Zone | 2 - 8 |
Bloom Start to End | Late Spring - Early Summer |
Height | 5 ft - 7 ft |
Width | 3 ft - 6 ft |
Bloom Size | 3 in |
Petal Count | 5 |
Additional Characteristics | Bird Lovers, Bloom First Year, Rose Hips |
Bloom Color | White |
Foliage Color | Dark Green |
Fragrance | Slight |
Light Requirements | Full Sun |
Moisture Requirements | Moist, well-drained |
Resistance | Cold Hardy, Disease Resistant |
Soil Tolerance | Normal, loamy, Sandy |
Uses | Border, Hedge, Landscapes, Ornamental |
Restrictions | *Due to state restrictions we cannot ship to the following: Canada, Guam, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands |