More Rugosa Roses
Rugosa Roses are one of the hardiest and easiest roses to grow not only in cold climates, but nearly every American growing zone. They are generally hardy in zones 3-9, drought resistant, salt spray tolerant in coastal zones, tolerant of poor soil conditions and very disease resistant. They are nearly immune to black spot and mildew, and actually don’t like being sprayed with chemicals, and so will be content in an organic garden.
- Class: Shrub Rose
- Sun: Full sun, minimum 6 hours
- Height: 4-6’
- Spread: 4-6’
- Growth Habit: Upright vase shaped
- Bloom Color: Rich red
- Flower Form: Double
- Flower Size: Medium in clusters
- Petal Count: 20-25
- Bloom Season: Free flowering
- Fragrance: Virtually none
- Stem: Nearly thornless
- Foliage: Glossy dark green leaves, but much less “rugose”
- Disease Resistance: Exceptionally resistant
- Soil: Well drained, fertile
- Hardiness: 5-8, 3 & 4 with protection
The foliage of the ‘Linda Campbell’ is much more smooth than most Rugosas. And the canes are virtually thornless! Clusters of very elegant buds open to an exceptional bright red bloom in large clusters, sometimes 25 blossoms per stem. Blooms continuously from spring until frost. Although not quite as hardy as the other Rugosa Roses, ‘Linda Campbell’ will still thrive in zones 3 and 4 if adequately protected. The tall canes are a bit more difficult to protect (see creative ideas for protection) but will grow back quickly and true from its’ “own roots”. This spectacular shrub is a real showpiece as a focal point. Stunning in groups or as a hedge, or at the back of the border.
Rugosa Rose ‘Keith’s Delight’
- Class: Shrub Rose
- Sun: Full sun
- Height: 5-6’
- Spread:
- Growth Habit: Upright, arching or climbing
- Bloom Color: Near white with pink and yellow
- Flower Form: Very double, in small clusters
- Flower Size: Medium, 2 1/2 - 3”
- Petal Count: 26-40
- Bloom Season: Repeats til frost
- Fragrance: Virtually none
- Stem:
- Foliage: Glossy, smooth, dark green leaves
- Disease Resistance: Very good resistance
- Soil: Well drained, fertile
- Hardiness: 6b-9b
A very unusually colored hybrid Rugosa bloom, tinged with both pink and yellow. ‘Keith’s Delight’ has a tall arching habit that will climb if trained. Or allow to gracefully arch as a specimen plant. This Rugosa is definately not winter hardy, but it is such a beautiful introduction it is worth mentioning. Deadhead the spent blooms to encourage abundant reblooming. Orange hips are produced in fall.
Rugosa Rose ‘Pink Grootendorst’
- Class: Shrub Rose
- Sun: Full sun, will tolerate part shade
- Height: 4-5’
- Spread: 4-5’
- Growth Habit: Upright, vase shaped, dense
- Bloom Color: Vivid medium pink
- Flower Form: Very double in clusters
- Flower Size: Small, in clusters
- Petal Count: 25-30
- Bloom Season: Free flowering
- Fragrance: Little or no fragrance
- Stem: Heavily thorned branches
- Foliage: Wrinkled glossy green leaves
- Disease Resistance: Very good resistance
- Soil: Well drained, fertile
- Hardiness: 3-9
‘Pink Grootendorst’ has unusual serrated petals on very double carnation like flowers. The shrub is continously in bloom with large clusters of flowers that are long lasting. The blooms will also last several days in arrangements. ‘Grootendorst’ is one of the larger growing rugosa shrubs, and will create a nice hedge, generally growing wider than it does tall. Also attractive in group plantings or used as bedding plants. ‘Pink Grootendorst’ is a vigorous grower and will stand up to adverse growing conditions. Tolerates soils ranging from sandy loam to clay loam. An excellent display of large hips in the fall. Foliage is not quite as rugose as most varieties, having a bit smoother and glossy finish
Rugosa Rose ‘Polareis’
- Class: Shrub Rose
- Sun: Full sun
- Height: 3 1/2 - 4’
- Spread: 3 1/2 - 4’
- Growth Habit: Bushy
- Bloom Color: White blushed with pink
- Flower Form: Double
- Flower Size: Medium, 2”
- Petal Count: 17-25
- Bloom Season: Repeat, continuous
- Fragrance: Moderate powdery fragrance
- Stem: Heavily thorned branches
- Foliage: Slightly wrinkled dark gray-green leaves
- Disease Resistance: Exceptionally resistant
- Soil: Well drained, fertile
- Hardiness: 3-10
The petals of this elegant Rugosa are blushed with pink around the edges of the petals. When the blooms first open they are edged in a brighter pink, and fade to a blushed pink as the bloom matures. The large flower clusters droop slightly. It grows very vigorously, almost agressively, being prone to suckers, so give it plenty of room to spread. ‘Polareis’ blooms all summer long and has a great fragrance, and the bright green foliage is also sweetly fragrant. This is a lovely cottage garden rose, used nicely in borders and beds, hedges or as specimen plants. This Rugosa will tolerate no shade, plant only in full sun. Also known as ‘Polar Ice’.
Rugosa Rose ‘Pavement Series’
- Class: Shrub Rose
- Sun: Full sun, minimum 6 hours
- Height: 2 1/2 - 3 1/2’
- Spread: 2 1/2 - 3 1/2’
- Growth Habit: Low mounded and slightly spreading, compact
- Bloom Color: Purple, scarlet red, white, lilac, pink and deep pink.
- Flower Form: Semi double in clusters
- Flower Size: Large
- Petal Count:
- Bloom Season: Repeats all summer
- Fragrance: Very fragrant
- Stem: Heavily thorned branches
- Foliage: Wrinkled dark green leaves
- Disease Resistance: Exceptionally resistant
- Soil: Well drained, fertile
- Hardiness: 3-8
‘Pavement’ roses are German named series of very hardy and healthy shrub rugosas. Each color has its’ own German name, i.e. ‘Rotsmere Purple Pavement’, and are available in purple, scarlet red, white, lilac, pink and deep pink. The flower buds are unusually long in beautiful clusters. Large numbers of hips are produced. Creates a lovely neat hedge or wonderful in a perennial bed or as accent plants. Striking in mass plantings.
‘Pristine Pavment’ has pure white semi-double blooms in clusters, with yellow centers. It repeat blooms well. Very fragrant. Nice fall display of hips
‘Purple Pavement’ is the most widely known of the pavement series. Deep purple burgundy clusters of large semi double flowers are nicely contrasted by the yellow centers when the bloom fully opens. Very large hips.
‘Snow Pavement’ has very long pink buds that open into long petals of blush white with hints of mauve pink. Blooms are clustered and are wonderfully fragrant. Foliage is bright and healthy.
‘Scarlet Pavement’ has deep scarlet red double blooms with yellow centers. Large red hips make a lovely fall display. Repeat blooms well. Very fragrant.
Rugosa Rose ‘Roseraie de L’Hey’
- Class: Shrub Rose
- Sun: Full sun, will tolerate some shade
- Height: 5-10’
- Spread: 5-8’
- Growth Habit: Bushy and spreading
- Bloom Color: Intense Crimson burgundy
- Flower Form: Double
- Flower Size: Large, 4 1/2”
- Petal Count: 25-30
- Bloom Season: Continuous
- Fragrance: Strong clove fragrance
- Stem: Heavily thorned branches
- Foliage: Wrinkled bright green leaves
- Disease Resistance: Exceptionally resistant
- Soil: Well drained, fertile but will tolerate clay and poor soils
- Hardiness: 3-10
The blooms of the ‘Roseraie de L’Hey’ are exceptionally stunning. Long elegant buds open into large double blooms in clusters. The blooms repeat well, with blooms continously present. This shrub rose is very easy to grow. Will tolerate a heavy clay, but best to amend it with loam. Excellent back of the border plant, hedge or specimen plant. Give it plenty of room, left unpruned ‘Roseraie de L’Hey’ has a wild and bushy form. As a hedge it wil be dense and impenetrable. Unfortunately it produces no hips, but the fall foliage is golden and quite lovely.
Rugosa Rose ‘Rubra’
- Class: Shrub Rose
- Sun: Full sun, will tolerate part shade
- Height: 4-6’
- Spread: 4-6’ or more
- Growth Habit: Tall mounded
- Bloom Color: Viloet pink-red
- Flower Form: Single
- Flower Size: Medium to large, 2 1/2” - 3 1/2”
- Petal Count: 5-7
- Bloom Season: Repeats, June to frost
- Fragrance: Highly fragrant
- Stem: Heavily thorned branches
- Foliage: Wrinkled dark green leaves
- Disease Resistance: Exceptionally, if not completely, resistant
- Soil: Very well drained, fertile
- Hardiness: 2-8
Rugosa ‘Rubra’ is the wild rose often seen growing along the seashores, along with Rugosa ‘Alba’. This is undoubtedly the hardiest rose to be found. Water well until they are established, then the should only need water in drought periods. They are partial to manure and top dressings of kelp meal, do not use commercial fertilzer as they leaves will burn. ‘Rubra’ will sucker easily and form a nice hedge. They are perfect to prevent soil erosion on banks. They will also reproduce easily from seed and set very large red hips. Bees love the blooms.
Rugosa Rose ‘Schneezwerg’
- Class: Shrub Rose
- Sun: Full sun, will tolerate some shade
- Height: 4-6’
- Spread: 4-6’
- Growth Habit: Upright and spreading
- Bloom Color: White with yellow stamens
- Flower Form: Semi double
- Flower Size: Medium, 2 1/2 - 3 1/2”
- Petal Count: 9-16
- Bloom Season: Continuous
- Fragrance: Moderately fragrant
- Stem: Heavily thorned branches
- Foliage: Wrinkled dark green leaves
- Disease Resistance: Exceptionally resistant
- Soil: Well drained, fertile but will tolerate pooreer soils
- Hardiness: 3-8
Also known as ‘Snowdwarf’, this Rugosa has lush full foliage and will tolerate part shade. ‘Schneezwert’ is a lovely small member of the Rugosa family. Fragrant semidouble pure white flowers are produced in large quantities. Red hips are produced in fall, often while blooms are still present. This is a very hardy rose, tolerateing some shade and poor soil conditions. Excellent in groupings or as a hedge. Will also do very well in a container or large pot.
Rugosa Rose ‘Therese Bugnet’
- Class: Shrub Rose
- Sun: Full sun, minimum 6 hours
- Height: 4 - 5’
- Spread: 4-5’
- Growth Habit: Upright vase shaped
- Bloom Color: Medium mauve pink
- Flower Form: Very double
- Flower Size: Large, 3-4” in clusters
- Petal Count: 35-40
- Bloom Season: Repeats, continuous
- Fragrance: Strong sweet fragrance
- Stem: Thorned branches
- Foliage: Gray green to blue green, less rugose
- Disease Resistance: Very resistant, somewhat susceptible to powdery mildew and rust.
- Soil: Well drained, fertile
- Hardiness: 3-8
‘Therese Bugnet’ blooms repeatedly, bearing clusters of 3 to 5 flowers. The first large flush is in very early summer, ahead of most roses.. Deadhead to encourage best reblooming. Red buds open to 3-4” delicate pink blooms with a nice fragrance. Be sure to water well during periods of drought to keep the shrub blooming. This easy to grow shrub rose is a very reliable grower even in the far north. Reportedly ‘Therese Bugnet’ grows very well up to zone 2 with protection. Unusual canes are tinged deep maroon all year, adding winter interest since no hips are produced. The plant may produce suckers. ‘Therese’ is a striking specimen plant, back of the border or tall hedge plant. (Pronounced boo-nay)
Rugosa Rose ‘Topaz Jewel’
- Class: Shrub Rose
- Sun: Full sun, minimum 6 hours
- Height: 4-5’
- Spread: 6-7’
- Growth Habit: Spreading
- Bloom Color: Medium yellow
- Flower Form: Double
- Flower Size: Large, 3-4”
- Petal Count: 25+
- Bloom Season: Continuous from July to frost
- Fragrance: Strong sweet fragrance, with soft clove
- Stem: Heavily thorned branches
- Foliage: Wrinkled dark green leaves
- Disease Resistance: Exceptionally resistant
- Soil: Well drained, fertile
- Hardiness: 4-8
A reblooming yellow rose with arching branches, reblooming freely all season. The blooms open in a rich yellow and pales to a warm soft yellow as the bloom matures. It drops it’s petals, so no need for deadheading. ‘Topaz Jewel’ needs a couple of seasons to establish well, then will grow vigorously. The blooms will then last longer and exude more fragrance. Exceptionally hardy, disease resistant and tolerant of neglect. May need protection for top growth, since the tall canes are often not reliably snow covered. However, pruned back canes regrow quickly. May be hardy in zone 3. Lovely as specimen plants, shrub borders or mass plantings.
Rugosa Rose ‘Wasagaming’
- Class: Shrub Rose
- Sun: Full sun, will tolerate some shade
- Height: 3-6
- Spread: 3-6
- Growth Habit: Bushy
- Bloom Color: Deep pink
- Flower Form: Very double
- Flower Size:
- Petal Count: 30
- Bloom Season: Repeats all summer
- Fragrance: Strong
- Stem: Heavily thorned branches
- Foliage: Wrinkled dark green leaves
- Disease Resistance: Exceptionally resistant
- Soil: Well drained, fertile
- Hardiness: 3-10
Bred by Canadian Skinner with a Bourbon rose parent, ‘Wasagaming’ is a very good repeat bloomer outperforming other Rugosa roses. The shrub grows vigorously with little care and will tolerate some shade. The deep pink very double blooms repeat well. The compact form creates a nice low hedge, bedding plants, groupings or foundation plantings.
Rugosa Rose ‘Wild Spice’
- Class: Shrub Rose
- Sun: Full sun, minimum 6 hours
- Height: 3-4’
- Spread: 3-4’
- Growth Habit: Bushy
- Bloom Color: White
- Flower Form: Single, in clusters of 5 or more
- Flower Size: Medium, 4-5”
- Petal Count: 5
- Bloom Season: Continuous
- Fragrance: Strong clove fragrance
- Stem: Heavily thorned branches
- Foliage: Wrinkled light green leaves
- Disease Resistance: Exceptionally resistant
- Soil: Well drained, fertile
- Hardiness: 3-7
‘Wild Spice’ produces a profusion of ruffled, snowy white blooms all season , well into fall. The shrub is bushy but graceful and will form a lovely low hedge, or use as bedding plant or foundation plantings. . Orange hips are produced abundantly in fall.