Rugosa Roses

Rosa Rugosa ‘Purple Pavement’

They may not get the attention that other roses receive but Rugosa roses (Rosa Rugosa) are tough, reliable and beautiful. They are sometimes referred to as “beach roses” because they do very well in the sandy, windswept conditions of the seaside. They are also referred to as “Japanese Roses”. The Latin word “rugosa” means “wrinkled”, referring to the wrinkled leaves.

Rugosa roses are shrubby and thorny with thick, dark green leaves. Flowers are usually single in colors ranging from pinks and purples to pure white. The flowers have a delicate, crepe paper quality with a nice fragrance. A heavy spring flowering is accompanied with sporadic flowers throughout the remainder of the season. Flowers are followed by large rose hips if the flowers are not dead-headed. The hips can be used to make rose-hip tea.

These are generally easy-to-grow roses and do not require fussy treatment. In fact, spraying with chemicals will cause leaves to turn yellow and defoliate. If problems such as aphids occur, use an insecticidal soap or other non-harsh treatment. For best results, grow Rugosa roses in full sun or partial shade in rich soil that is well-drained. In light soils, plants can develop a suckering habit. Because of this, they are a good plant for erosion control.

Rugosa roses make an attractive, impenetrable hedge or a striking statement in a mixed border.

Yard n’ Garden Land currently offers two Rugosa varieties – ‘Alba’ is a vigorous bush that can exceed a height of 6 feet and has white flowers. ‘Purple Pavement’ (‘Rotes Meer’) is a more compact plant (about 4-5 feet) with magenta/purple flowers with yellow stamens.