Dog rose ∗ The 10 best care and planting tips (dog rose)

Origin and use

The dog rose (bot. Rosa canina) bears her name - which means something like "very common" rose - because of its widespread distribution throughout Europe and even in northwestern Africa. Basically, this popular dog rose grows almost anywhere and is virtually impossible to break. In fact, the species can get very old, as the famous millennial rose bush - a landmark of the city of Hildesheim - proves. This was planted when the diocese was founded in the early Middle Ages and even drove through after one caused a bombing fire again after a few weeks during the Second World War the end.

Appearance and stature

Even if the famous millennial rose bush is now more than ten meters high and thanks to climbing aids climbs up the choir wall of the Hildesheim Mariendom, this does not correspond to the natural growth of the Art. Normal specimens reach heights of growth between two and three meters and are about as wide. The very fast-growing species grows loosely upright and develops overhanging branches with age. The trunk of the extremely hardy dog ​​rose is also covered with numerous large spines.

Blossoms and flowering period

The small and simple, but very numerous flowers of the dog rose appear for about 14 days between late May and early / mid-June. They are up to two inches in diameter, have a slight scent, and are typically pink. Like all wild roses, the dog rose is an important insect nutrient plant because - with the exception of butterflies - all insects feed on their pollen.

fruit

In autumn, on the other hand, both birds and humans enjoy the edible rose hips, which are very rich in vitamin C. These are so-called collective nut fruits that do not ripen until very late in October and November. They often stay on the bush until spring and are a valuable winter food source for birds. When ripe, people can process the strong orange-red wild fruit into jams, jellies and liqueurs as well as dried tea.

Toxicity

The one here as Dog roses The wild roses described are all non-toxic and can therefore be safely planted in the garden.

Which location is suitable?

In nature, the dog rose is often in partially shaded to shady, but still bright locations, such as along paths and wooded edges, in light forests and on EmbankmentsTo find meadows and pastures. Basically, the species thrives in both full sun and light-shaded places, but often grows larger in a darker location.

floor

Basically, the dog rose feels comfortable on any soil, as long as it is not too wet. Whether sandy, humus or loamy - dog roses are very adaptable. However, the species thrives best on fresh to slightly dry substrates with a neutral pH value. The plant usually tolerates occasional fluctuations in the basic or acidic range very well.

Planting dog roses properly

This dog rose grows several meters high and just as wide within a short time, which is why you have both a hedge, a group or even a solitary planting must pay attention to appropriate distances. Plan for about two to three plants per square meter and ensure that they are deep before planting Loosening the soil - the dog rose is one of the deep-rooters and needs one that is properly rooted Underground. Add plenty of compost to the excavation, water the wild rose well after planting and pile it up slightly around the main stem.
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Watering and fertilizing

Basically, you neither have to water the dog rose nor do you have to fertilize, because the undemanding plant gets what it needs all by itself.

Cut the dog roses correctly

Cutting measures are also not necessary. You should only keep it in check with scissors if the overgrown shrub becomes too big. In addition, an occasional rejuvenation cut can promote flowering. To do this, shorten the older shoots in spring, and dry and wilted twigs should also be removed regularly. Never prune last year's shoots as the flowers will be formed on these.

Propagate dog roses

Dog roses are easy to propagate from seeds or cuttings. It is also advisable to dig in root barriers if necessary - the species forms numerous root runners, which also contribute to reproduction.

Overwinter

Since this dog rose is extremely hardy, no special protective measures are necessary for wintering.

Diseases and pests

Against the otherwise common Rose diseases the Rosa canina is largely resistant. Only some pests such as the rose gall wasp, the garden leaf beetle or the shiny gold rose beetle can become problematic.

Species and varieties

In addition to the dog rose described here, which is probably the most widespread dog rose, there are others Wild rose speciesthat are native to different regions of Germany. On the other hand, the popular Rosa rugosa - the potato or apple rose - which is very numerous in terms of varieties, is viewed critically by some gardeners. The species, which comes from East Asia, is considered a neophyte that displaces native wild roses. However, most of the plants grown in our gardens also fall into this category.

The most beautiful wild rose species for the garden:

Büschelrose / Vielblütige Rose (bot. Pink multiflora)

This wild rose is characterized by numerous small, white flowers that are arranged in an umbel shape and appear between June and July. The delicate flowers give off a strong honey scent that is very attractive to bees. The fast-growing species (growth rate up to 75 centimeters per year) can be up to three meters high and just as wide. For a hedge planting, three to four plants should be planted per square meter.

Wine rose / Scottish fence rose (bot. Rosa rubiginosa)

The strongly prickly wine rose forms dense, impenetrable hedges. The fast-growing shrub (growth rate up to 60 centimeters per year) is up to 350 centimeters high and 250 centimeters wide. It grows upright at first, but later develops strongly overhanging shoots. The small, pink cup-shaped flowers show up between June and July. The valuable bee nutrition plant is also a valuable bird protection wood. Plant a maximum of two specimens per square meter for a hedge.

Pike rose / Rotblättrige Rose (bot. Rosa glauca)

The upright and rather bushy growing pike rose is up to 250 centimeters high and 130 centimeters wide. The light pink, small shell flowers bloom in abundance between June and July and develop numerous rose hips by autumn.

Alpine dog rose (bot. Rosa pendulina)

This distinctive wild rose species, native to the Alpine regions, has numerous flower bowls up to ten centimeters in size, bright purple-pink in color. These appear from May and continue into June. The species becomes up to one and a half meters high and just as wide.

Creeping rose / field rose (bot. Rosa arvensis)

As the name suggests, this is a creeping or, if given the opportunity, a climbing species. As a ground cover, the creeping rose can reach heights of up to 50 centimeters, and as a climbing plant it can reach a height of up to two meters. The small, white flowers appear in July.

Cinnamon rose (bot. Rosa majalis)

This very robust and undemanding species - it grows on almost any soil and can even withstand short floods - grows up to 160 centimeters high, spreads very quickly in the garden through runners and inspires with its dark to purple-pink, which can be admired between May and June Blossoms.

Chinese gold rose (bot. Rosa hugonis)

This is a wild rose species from Asia, which is cultivated mainly because of the pale yellow color of its flowers, which appear early in April. The shrub grows up to two meters high and can be planted as a solitary or in the form of a hedge. The golden rose is quite hardy, but needs light protection from frost.

Shiny-leaved rose (bot. Rosa nitida)

The Rosa nitida is only about 70 centimeters high, but with its glossy, dark green leaves and bright pink flowers, it immediately falls into the limelight eye. The very undemanding species thrives almost everywhere - even on wet and acidic soils - but is best suited for fastening embankments and slopes due to its strong runners.

Potato rose / apple rose (bot. Rosa rugosa)

This species originating from East Asia - which is sometimes also referred to as the Japanese rose - is enjoying growing popularity in German gardens. Rosa rugosa grows up to 150 centimeters high, 100 centimeters wide and, in contrast to most wild rose species that only bloom once, blooms continuously from June to October. The species is very robust and there are also some interesting cultivars.

Dune rose / beaver cell rose (bot. Rosa pimpinellifolia)

The species, sometimes also referred to as the coastal rose, is widespread on the north German coast. The shrub, up to one and a half meters high and two meters wide, needs a barren, calcareous one Location, is very insensitive to drought and multiplies by means of numerous Foothills. The small, yellowish-white cup flowers appear between May and June.