Rosa canina

The dog rose or Rosa canina, also known as hedge rose or dog rose, is the most well-known and commonly found native species of wild rose in France. The dog rose is a deciduous bush with a bushy habit, bearing long, flexible, and very thorny stems that initially grow upright and then arch, behaving like true vine that climb over other plants. In summer, its erect bush is adorned with numerous small flowers with 5 heart-shaped, notched petals that range in colour from pink to white, topped with long, protruding golden stamens that produce high-quality honey. These are followed by bright red fruits called hips, which decorate the garden in late season. Their pulp is full of vitamins, including vitamin C, which is used to combat colds and fatigue and can be consumed in the form of jams, syrups, herbal teas, jellies, and more. It is a hardy and vigorous species that thrives in the sun in any well-drained soil that is not too acidic. It possesses all the subtle and generous beauty of botanical species, making it suitable for inclusion in a countryside hedge or as an addition to a natural garden bed.

The Rosa canina is a wild rose native to Europe and Western Asia. As an indigenous species, it is the most widespread rose species in our territory, along with Rosa rubiginosa. It is mainly found in plains, on slopes, in thickets, countryside hedges, road edges, and forest edges. It is not afraid of alkaline or poorer soils, unlike other roses, and thrives even in dry, sandy to rocky soils. It only fears stagnant moisture and excessively acidic soils. This rose has the advantage of being one of the best nectar-producing species. It has been used since ancient times for its medicinal properties and the nutritional value of its petals and fruits. In fact, its common name "dog rose" comes from the fact that its roots were used to heal people bitten by rabid dogs. Due to its robustness and vigour, it was long used as the sole rootstock for horticultural roses.

It is a spiny shrub with a dense and bushy habit. It reaches about 2.50 m (8ft) in height and 2 m (7ft) in width, with fairly rapid growth. The branches are dense and covered with hooked prickles and stiff bristles. They bear deciduous leaves, divided into 5 to 7 large ovate leaflets measuring 2 to 4 cm (1 to 2in), of medium green colour, smooth on the upper side and pubescent on the lower side, glandular all over their surface. The flowering takes place from May to June depending on the climate. The flowers are single, slightly fragrant, and consist of 5 notched petals, forming a cup measuring 4 to 5 cm (2in) in diameter, bright pink turning pure white as they fade. The centre of the corolla, pale pink to white, is topped with a multitude of golden stamens. The flowering is followed by the formation of ovoid, fleshy fruits measuring 1 to 1.5 cm (0 to 1in), bright red in colour, which ripen from August to October and contain numerous seeds surrounded by itching hairs. They have the advantage of being edible in the form of jam, preserves, or as an infusion.

The hedge rose is a good species for creating fruity or defensive hedges with blackthorns and hawthorns. It can complement larger flowering shrubs in a garden bed. It will also find its place in a sunny flower hedge, associated with ground cover roses like 'The Fairy', 'Rouge Meillandecor', 'Happy Chappy', and many others. Vibrantly coloured grasses like Muhlenbergia capillaris or tufted hair grass will create an interesting contrast with it. Lastly, it is a very healthy shrub, never getting sick, and requires no maintenance once well established.

While the passion for botanical roses and their direct hybrids is not widespread, it is fully justified, especially in infertile soils or under difficult climates: these roses are not only the parents of our modern roses, but generally more robust and highly reliable.