Wild (dog) rose - Rosa canina

Scrub and hedgerow shrub growing to 3m (10ft) with long arching branches bearing very sharp curved thorns. Widespread and most well known of the wild roses, but most common in the south.

Pinnate leaves of 5 - 7 hairless leaflets, ovoid to elliptical in shape with serrated edges, flowers of pale pink appearing June to July ripen to red fruits or 'hips' in the autumn. Related to R. dumetorum, having hairy leaflets.

Wild (dog) rose branch with thorns just visible

Flower & petal formation, colour is usually a lighter shade of pink to almost white

Back

Site design ©1999- -