The blooms generally have five petals, though there are semi-double and double bloom varieties.
They tend to spread via suckers and can create a dense thicket.
They have a fairly quick growth rate and can be planted in the fall or spring.
The Spruce / Autumn Wood
Rugosa Rose Care
Rugosas are known as rugged roses because they can be virtually maintenance-free.
Use caution when planting them near entry areas and walkways.
This includes Alaska and some states in the Northeast.
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Too much shade will generally result in fewer blooms.
Soil
Rugosa roses like rich, loamy soil with sharp drainage and a slightly acidic soil pH.
Water
Aim to keep the soil moist but not soggy for young plants.
The Spruce / Autumn Wood
Established shrubs can tolerate some drought, though they still prefer moist soil.
Avoid overhead watering, as this can promote fungal growth on the leaves.
Adding a layer of mulch is also ideal to help retain soil moisture.
Humidity also typically isn’t a factor as long as there’s good air circulation around the plants.
A slow-release flowering shrubfertilizerapplied in the spring should suffice.
For the amount to use, follow the product label instructions.
However, you should promptly remove any damaged or diseased stems as they appear.
How much to prune depends on how large you want your shrub to be.
Or you might do minimal pruning of old wood andsuckersif you want a large, natural-looking bush.
But you also can move these suckers to a different location.
The best time to do this is in the late spring when the suckers are actively growing.
Germination can be unpredictable and youll have to wait longer for your shrub to be fully flowering.
Look for seeds that have already gone through thestratificationprocessa cold treatment that mimics winter conditions.
Keep the soil temperature at around 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Place the tray in bright, indirect light, and keep the soil moist but not soggy.
Germination should begin in a few weeks.Harden off the seedlingsbefore planting them outside.
Miniature, patio, and polyantha roses are best forgrowing in pots.
Because these shrubs have excellent cold tolerance, they dont require any special overwintering maintenance.
Common pests include aphids, scale, rose midges, and leafhoppers.
Some infestations can be treated with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil.
Common diseases include black spot and powdery mildew.
Keeping foliage dry and increasing air circulation will help to prevent disease.
You might also get arepeat bloomlater in the season.
The flowers stretch around three to six inches across and feature a fragrant floral, musky scent.
If you want to encourage reblooming, you might deadhead (or remove) the spent flowers.
After flowering, therose hipsappear, which many gardeners leave on the plant for fall and winter interest.
see to it the soil is neither too dry nor too waterlogged.
Drooping Leaves
Leaves drooping or even falling off can often be a sign of lack of moisture.
While rugosa roses can tolerate some drought, they do prefer moist soil.
And young shrubs especially need consistent watering as their root systems are still developing.
Rugosa roses are perennial, meaning they come back each year.
And thanks to their hardiness, they can live for many years.
Mature plants ultimately will get woody and not produce as many flowers.
But you’re able to help to prevent this by pruning out old wood annually.
Rugosa roses can make for an excellent specimen plant in the landscape.
But they also can turn into a good screen thanks to their dense foliage.
Many rose species are similar to rugosa roses, including the Carolina rose.
It’s also a low-maintenance species, though it’s not as cold tolerant as the rugosa rose.
Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States.
