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.
Rugosa Rose ‘Agnes’
- Class: Shrub Rose
- Sun: Full sun, minimum 6 hours
- Height: 5- 7’
- Spread: 5-7’
- Growth Habit: Upright vase shaped
- Bloom Color: Pale lemon yellow
- Flower Form: Double
- Flower Size: Large, 3-4”
- Petal Count: Numerous, 30-40
- Bloom Season: Spring to summer, does not repeat
- Fragrance: Moderately fragrant
- Stem: Heavily thorned branches
- Foliage: Unique shiny deep green crinkled leaves
- Disease Resistance: Exceptionally resistant to blackspot
- Soil: Well drained, fertile
- Hardiness: 3-10
‘Agnes’ can be difficult to establish, which is unusual for a rugosa rose. But once established the shrub is exceptionally winter hardy, especially for a yellow blooming rugosa. The unusual shiny deep green leaves provide a wonderful contrast to the pale blooms.
Rugosa Rose ‘Alba’
Class: Shrub Rose
- Sun: Full sun, will tolerate part shade
- Height: 4-6’
- Spread: 4-6’
- Growth Habit: Tall mounded
- Bloom Color: White
- Flower Form: Single
- Flower Size: Medium to large, 2 1/2” - 3 1/2”
- Petal Count: 5
- Bloom Season: Repeats June to frost
- Fragrance: Very 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 ‘Alba’ produces the “whitest of white” blooms. The buds are very long with a blush pink tinge. Rugoss ‘Alba’ is the wild rose often seen growing along the seashores, along with Rugosa ‘Rubra’. 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. Forms a very nice tall hedge, or use at the back of the border and in perennial gardens. Large range hips are produced in fall, and foliage may turn yellow orange after the first hard frost.
Rugosa Rose ‘Blanc Double de Coubert’
- Class: Shrub Rose
- Sun: Full sun to part shade
- Height: 4-7’
- Spread: 3-5’
- Growth Habit: Upright, somewhat mounded but bushy shrub
- Bloom Color: Pure White
- Flower Form: Semi double in clusters
- Flower Size: Large 2-4” diameter
- Petal Count: 30-40
- Bloom Season: Repeats, June to frost
- Fragrance: Very fragrant, sweet
- Stem: Heavily thorned branches
- Foliage: Wrinkled dark green leaves
- Disease Resistance: Exceptionally resistant
- Soil: Prefers well drained garden loam with medium moisture and slightly acidic, but will tolerate poor soil and alkaline
- Hardiness: 3-8
‘Blanc Double de Coubert’ is a hybrid with extremely fragrant white blooms. It blooms heavily in early spring, then nearly continuously all season, beginning earlier than many roses. It is one of the best white blooming roses. Although it will tolerate part shade, best flowering and disease resistance is achieved in full sun. Delicate petals may be spoiled by rain. ‘Blanc Double de Coubert’ creates a nice hedge, however allow enough space for good air circulation, planting 5 feet apart. Plants that grow into one another if planted closer together should be pruned to control size. Use as specimen plant, small groupings, foundation planting or in cottage gardens. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage reblooming. A small number of orange-red hips are formed in fall. This is an exceptionally hardy and disease resistant rose bush, tolerating poor soil, salt spray and windy conditions. Susceptible to aphids. Crown protection is advised to guard against damage to top growth. Own root rugosas will regrow true even after dieback to the crown. May be hardy as far as zone 2.
Rugosa Rose ‘Dart’s Dash’
- Class: Shrub Rose
- Sun: Full sun, minimum 6 hours
- Height: 3-4’
- Spread: 3-4’
- Growth Habit: Dense, compact mounded
- Bloom Color: Deep purple crimson
- Flower Form: Double, born in large clusters
- Flower Size: Large, 3-4”
- Petal Count: 25
- Bloom Season: Repeats, June through summer
- Fragrance: Very strong fragrance, sweet
- Stem: Heavily thorned branches
- Foliage: Wrinkled dark green leaves
- Disease Resistance: Exceptionally resistant
- Soil: Well drained, fertile
- Hardiness: 3-8
‘Dart’s Dash’ is covered in blooms in June, and then repeats well all summer. The dense habit makes ‘Dart’s Dash’ a wonderful short hedge, or use as a specimen plant with its’ striking bloom color. Also serves the border of perennial garden well. The plant grows vigorously and naturally maintains good health. Fall produces huge orange-red hips and interesting foliage colors. By seasons’ end, the plant is more susceptible to powdery mildew. May be hardy as far as zone 2.
Rugosa Rose ‘F J Grootendorst’
- Class: Shrub Rose
- Sun: Full sun to light shade
- Height: 4-8’
- Spread: 3-5’
- Growth Habit: Upright, bushy, vase shaped
- Bloom Color: Cranberry Red
- Flower Form: Double
- Flower Size: Small 1” blooms, in large clusters
- Petal Count: 25-35
- Bloom Season: Continuous all summer
- Fragrance: Slight to moderate spicy fragrance
- Stem: Heavily thorned branches
- Foliage: Wrinkled dark green leaves
- Disease Resistance: Good resistance
- Soil: Well drained, fertile
- Hardiness: 5-9, zones 3 & 4 with protection
‘F J Grootendorst’ grows vigorously with lush foliage and a somewhat bushy habit. It is one of the Rugosas that will tolerate some light shade, and will also tolerate poorer soils. The petals have frilled edges on carnation-like flowers, blooming in a deep pink to light red depending on the soil and conditions. A profusion of blooms appears in spring, then reblooms quickly, essentially continuously in bloom. Makes an excellent hedge or small group and mass plantings. A full grown shrub in bloom makes an impressive statement. Also grows well in a large container. Unfortunately “F J Grootendorst’ does not produce hips. This shrub rose may also be referred to as ‘Grootendorst Red’ or the common names Hedgehog rose, Ramanas rose, Japanese rose or Sea tomato. Although not quite as hardy as the other Rugosa Roses, ‘Grootendorst’ 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”. Responds well to pruning, so it is easy to maintain a smaller size.
Rugosa Rose ‘Grootendorst Alba’
- Class: Shrub Rose
- Sun: Full sun to light shade
- Height: 4
- Spread: 3
- Growth Habit: Bushy
- Bloom Color: White, tinged pink
- Flower Form: Very double
- Flower Size: Small, 1 1/2” in clusters
- Petal Count: 25-35
- Bloom Season: Large flush in June, some repeat
- Fragrance: Light fragrance
- Stem: Heavily thorned branches
- Foliage: Wrinkled dark green leaves
- Disease Resistance: Good resistance
- Soil: Well drained, fertile, will tolerate poorer soils
- Hardiness: 5-8
Like the other ‘Grootendorst’ Rugosas, Alba will tolerate some light shade and is more tolerant of poorer soils. It nonetheless is an excellent free flowering shrub rose that can make a dramatic statement as a specimen, in a hedge, in perennial gardens or in a large container. Alba is a bit more fragrant than the other ‘Grootendorst’ roses. Although not quite as hardy as the other Rugosa Roses, ‘Grootendorst’ 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”. Responds well to pruning, so it is easy to maintain a smaller size.
Rugosa Rose ‘Frau Dagmar Hastrup’
- Class: Shrub Rose
- Sun: Full sun, will tolerate light shade
- Height: 3-4’
- Spread: 3-4’
- Growth Habit: Compact, mounded
- Bloom Color: Light Silvery Pink
- Flower Form: Single
- Flower Size: Medium, 3”
- Petal Count: 5
- Bloom Season: Repeats, June to frost
- Fragrance: Strong clove scent
- Stem: Heavily thorned branches
- Foliage: Wrinkled dark green leaves
- Disease Resistance: Exceptionally resistant
- Soil: Well drained, fertile
- Hardiness: 3-9
One of the smaller, more compact Rugosas, this rose bush holds a more rounded form at about 3-4’. Floriferous bloomer with delicate 3 inch blooms of pale pink with an exquisite fragrance. Will tolerate some shade. The blooms are followed by large bright red hips, and will sometimes display both blooms and hips later in the season. Foliage turns deep maroon then yellow orange in fall. Very disease resistant and hardy.
Rugosa Rose ‘Grootendorst Supreme’
- Class: Shrub Rose
- Sun: Full sun to light shade
- Height: 3-5’
- Spread: 3-5’
- Growth Habit: Upright and bushy
- Bloom Color: Dark red
- Flower Form: Semi-Double, in clusters
- Flower Size: Small, in clusters
- Petal Count: 25-30
- Bloom Season: Repeats, June to frost
- Fragrance: Little or fragrance
- Stem: Heavily thorned branches
- Foliage: Wrinkled light green, thick leaves
- Disease Resistance: Exceptionally resistant
- Soil: Well drained, fertile
- Hardiness: 3-8
‘Grootendorst Supreme’ is always blooming with clusters of dark red carnation like blooms. The bright foliage is a terrific contrast to the nonstop display of red blooms. This is a very reliable and hardy shrub rose, beautiful to use all over the gardens or in a hedge. Will tolerate light shade.
Rugosa Rose ‘Hansa’
- Class: Shrub Rose
- Sun: Full sun, will tolerate part shade
- Height: 4-7’
- Spread: 4-8’
- Growth Habit: Upright vase shaped
- Bloom Color: Deep purple-crimson to violet-red, displaying golden yellow stamens
- Flower Form: Double
- Flower Size: Medium Large, 3”
- Petal Count: 30
- Bloom Season: Repeats, June to frost
- Fragrance: Very strong fragrance
- Stem: Heavily thorned branches
- Foliage: Wrinkled dark green leaves
- Disease Resistance: Very good resistance, somewhat susceptible to black sopt and fungal disease.
- Soil: Well drained, fertile
- Hardiness: 3-8
This stunning rose bush produces nonstop pink-violet 3 inch flowers. ‘Hansa’ is a common rugosa that is super hardy, easy to establish and easy to grow. Abandoned plants continue to flourish and bloom profusely being completely neglected. Huge scarlet-red hips are produced in fall. An elegant vase shape makes it a perfect specimen plant, or use it in perennial gardens and mixed borders. ‘Hansa’ produces suckers readily, so it is difficult to keep maintained in a manicured garden, but will form a nice hedge. The shrub grows so vigorously, it should be pruned down at least two thirds every other year to prevent it from becoming leggy, also removing dead wood and overly large canes. Give it plenty of room and let it go ‘wild’.
Rugosa Rose ‘Jens Munk’
- Class: Shrub Rose
- Sun: Full sun, will tolerate part shade
- Height: 4 1/2’
- Spread: 4 1/2’
- Growth Habit: Neat and tidy mounded shrub
- Bloom Color: Bright candy pink with yellow centers
- Flower Form: Semi double, somewhat flat, born in small clusters
- Flower Size: Medium, 2 1/2 - 3 1/2”
- Petal Count: 25
- Bloom Season: Free flowering
- Fragrance: Pleasantly scented, may not be as strong as most rugosas
- Stem: Heavily thorned branches
- Foliage: Wrinkled olive green leaves
- Disease Resistance: Exceptionally resistant
- Soil: Well drained, fertile
- Hardiness: 3-10
‘Jens Munk’ is a hybrid Explorer rugosa rose. Spent blooms need to be deadheaded to encourage additional blooming. The shrub stays neat in a smaller mounded shrub, making it a beauty in the front of a garden, as a specimen plant or as foundation plantings. The shrub grows quite vigorously and is tolerant of part shade. May be hardy as far as zone 2.