9-9-08: Rosa rugosa 'Alba'

Rosa rugosa 'Alba' Rosa rugosa is attractive, fragrant, carefree, edible and readily available. We have two varieties of this plant of the week, ‘Alba’ which is pure white and ‘Rubrum’ which is a dark luscious pink. These roses grow 4-6 feet high by 4-6 feet wide.

They like full sun and good drainage but can tolerate a wide variety of soils including sandy, salty beaches. They are basically carefree in contrast to most roses, requiring no spraying for black spot or aphids because they are not susceptible to these things. This plant makes a great impenetrable hedge due to the thorny stems. Fragrant blooms are present from April through the first frost. After the blooms comes the hips which are used for teas, jellies and to increase the pectin content of other fruits and berries. The rose petals make perfumes and the petals and rosehips are used in potpourris for their color and fragrance. This rose can be planted with lavenders, sunroses (helianthemum) and ceanothus. If you are concerned about water this rose is drought tolerant once established.

Pleasant Hill Nursery is pleased to offer:

Rosa rugosa 'Alba' in #3's: Call for Prices & to Check Availability