Rosa x hibernica – The Irish Rose

A rare hybrid between the native, wild roses, the dog rose and the burnet rose, Rosa x hibernica is a  large, deciduous, shrub rose, with a suckering habit. The mid-green foliage is divided into slightly serrated, ovate leaflets. In midsummer,  it bears clusters of lightly scented, deep rose-pink, single blooms with golden stamens; the flowers are attractive to pollinators. The flowers are followed by round, deep red hips in the autumn. The Irish rose would be perfect in a naturalistic planting.

Site: Sheltered
Soil: Any moisture-retentive, humus-rich, well-drained soil; tolerates poorer soils
Position: Full sun or partial shade
Season of interest: Midsummer to autumn
Hardiness: Fully hardy
Height:  8’ (2.5m)  Spread: 5’ (1.5m) in 2-5 years