Dog Rose or Wild Rose Hedging, also known as Rosa canina is a fast growing, thorny, attractive hedging species that provides seasonal interest and produces large orange and red hips that are a hit with birds. Dog Rose hedge plants are available as pot grown hedging, and bare root plants from November to mid / late May.
Choose from our most popular varieties of Dog Rose Hedging plants, available in a range of sizes and root types.
Dog Rose or Wild Rose is a thorny, rambling deciduous plant with green leaves that produces beautiful pink-white flowers in the spring followed by attractive orange hips.
Growth rate: Fast 30-60cm per year
Overall height: Medium up to 5 metres
Position: Exposed, Coastal
Root Types: Bare Root, Pot Grown
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The Dog Rose, scientifically known as Rosa canina, is a species of rose native to Europe, northwest Africa, and western Asia. It's widely recognised for its beautiful, delicate white to pink flowers that bloom in late spring to early summer. Thriving in the wild, the Dog Rose is also a popular choice for garden hedges due to its dense, prickly branches which make it an excellent natural barrier, while also providing aesthetic appeal with its vibrant flowers and bright red hips in autumn.
These hardy shrubs are ideal for creating wildlife-friendly hedges due to their dense and prickly nature, making them a great intruder deterrent while providing a wonderful shelter for wildlife. Dog rose plants are known for their versatility as an informal garden shrub, producing red and orange fruits that are popular with birds and can be used for making jam. Rosa canina hedge plants are recognized for being a versatile, hardy, and fast-growing plant suitable for use in prickly, secure country hedging.
These hips are not only a feast for the eyes but serve as a rich source of Vitamin C and are often used in teas, syrups, and jams. The Dog Rose embodies a perfect blend of beauty and utility, making it a cherished plant among gardeners and nature lovers alike.
Dog Rose hedges are not only a visually appealing addition to any garden but also bring a host of benefits and features. Their versatility and hardy nature make them an ideal choice for both decorative and practical purposes. Here are some of the key benefits and features of cultivating Dog Rose hedges:
Enhanced Biodiversity: Dog Rose hedges provide a habitat for a variety of wildlife, including bees, butterflies, and birds, thus contributing to the increase of local biodiversity.
Natural Barrier: The dense and thorny nature of Dog Rose bushes makes them an effective natural barrier and hedging plant against intruders, protecting your garden with beauty.
Low Maintenance: Once established, Dog Rose hedges require minimal care, making them suitable for gardeners of all levels of experience.
Year-Round Interest: With flowers in spring and summer, bright hips in autumn, and appealing structure in winter, Dog Rose hedges offer year-round aesthetic appeal. The clusters of single, scented pale pink flowers bloom in early summer, attracting bees.
Source of Vitamin C: The hips produced by the Dog Rose are rich in Vitamin C and can be harvested to make teas, syrups, and jams.
Erosion Control: Their robust root system helps in stabilising soil and preventing erosion, especially in areas prone to runoff.
Adaptability: Dog Rose is adaptable to a wide range of soil types and conditions, from full sun to partial shade.
Improves Air Quality: Like other plants, Dog Rose hedges contribute to improved air quality by absorbing carbon dioxide and other pollutants, releasing clean oxygen in return.
Hardy Shrub and Informal Garden Shrub: Dog Rose is a hardy shrub and an informal garden shrub, thriving in various environmental conditions and suitable for multiple garden designs, including exposed coastal locations and mixed native hedges.
Dog Rose hedging plants exhibit a moderate to fast growth rate, typically gaining between 15 to 40 cm per year. This growth rate is influenced by several factors, including soil quality, sunlight exposure, and water availability. To achieve optimal growth and health for your Dog Rose hedges, it is essential to provide them with the right conditions from the outset.
Planting Dog Rose hedging plants is a straightforward task that can bring lasting beauty and utility to your garden. To ensure successful planting, follow these steps:
Choose the Right Time: The best time to plant Dog Rose hedging is during the dormant season, from late autumn to early spring. Avoid days when the soil is frozen or excessively wet.
Prepare the Site: Clear the area of weeds and other debris. Dig a trench that is deep and wide enough to accommodate the roots of the plants, ensuring good soil aeration and drainage.
Improve the Soil: If necessary, enrich the soil with organic matter such as compost or well-rotted manure. This step will provide essential nutrients and improve soil structure.
Planting: Position the plants in the trench, spacing them approximately 1.2 to 1.5 meters apart to allow room for growth. Spread the roots gently and fill the trench with soil, firming it around the base of the plants to eliminate air pockets.
Watering: Thoroughly water the newly planted hedging, ensuring the soil is moist but not waterlogged. Regular watering during the first growing season is crucial to help the plants establish.
Mulching: Apply a generous layer of mulch around the base of the plants to help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and provide additional nutrients to the soil.
By following these steps, your Dog Rose hedging plants will be well on their way to thriving and contributing to the beauty and biodiversity of your garden for years to come.
When planting Dog Rose hedging, choosing the correct time of year can significantly affect the establishment and growth rate of these plants. Early autumn is often considered the ideal time for planting, as the soil is still warm from the summer months, allowing roots to establish before the onset of winter. However, planting can also be done in late winter or early spring before the plants begin their new growth cycle.
Please refer to our spacing chart below for the correct planting distances for your Dog Rose hedge.
To ensure successful growth, Dog Rose should be planted in well-drained soil with a good mix of organic matter. While the Dog Rose is adaptable to various soil types, ensuring the soil is not overly wet or dry will help in achieving the best possible growth results. Regular watering during the first year after planting will aid in establishing a robust root system, which is crucial for the overall health and growth of the hedge.
By providing the optimal conditions and care, Dog Rose hedges will thrive, creating a vibrant and dynamic hedge that brings beauty and utility to any garden space.
Pruning and caring for Dog Rose hedges are essential aspects of maintaining their health, shape, and the benefits they bring to the garden. Dog Rose hedges require periodic pruning to encourage fresh growth, remove dead or diseased wood, and maintain the desired size and form. Here are some guidelines to ensure your Dog Rose hedges remain vibrant and healthy:
Harvesting 'rose hips' for making 'rose hip syrup', tea, marmalade, sweet wine, and other products is an additional benefit of maintaining Dog Rose hedges. These shiny, red hips, rich in vitamin C, are produced in autumn and can be utilized for their nutritional value, offering a natural boost to the immune system.
Best Time to Prune: The ideal time to prune Dog Rose hedges is in late winter or early spring, just before new growth begins. This timing reduces stress on the plants and promotes vigorous spring growth.
How to Prune: Use clean, sharp pruning tools to make precise cuts. Remove any dead, damaged, or diseased stems first, cutting back to healthy wood. Thin out dense areas to allow light and air to penetrate the hedge, which helps prevent disease.
Shaping: If you are shaping your hedge or controlling its size, cut back the stems to the desired length, keeping in mind that Dog Rose blooms on old wood. Overzealous pruning may reduce flowering for a year, so aim to maintain a balance between shaping and allowing the plant to flower.
Disposal of Cuttings: Ensure that all cuttings, especially those that are diseased, are removed from the site and disposed of properly to avoid spreading pests or diseases.
Watering: Regular watering is crucial, especially during the first year of establishment and during prolonged periods of dry weather. However, avoid over-watering as this can lead to root problems.
Feeding: An annual application of a balanced, slow-release fertiliser in early spring can promote healthy growth. Additionally, applying a mulch of well-rotted organic matter around the base of the hedges can provide nutrients and help retain soil moisture.
Pest and Disease Management: Regularly inspect your hedges for signs of pests or diseases. Treat any issues promptly with appropriate organic or chemical controls, following label instructions carefully.
Support: In some cases, especially when young hedges are establishing or if planted in a windy location, staking might be necessary to prevent wind damage and ensure straight growth.
By adhering to these pruning and care guidelines, you can ensure that your Dog Rose hedges remain a beautiful and healthy feature in your garden for years to come, providing habitat for wildlife, enhancing biodiversity, and contributing to the overall aesthetic of your outdoor space.
