Rosaceae
100–300 cm
Hedgerow
Pale pink
The classic wild rose of British hedgerows, with delicate pale-pink flowers and brilliant red hips in autumn.
Natural History
The Dog Rose is Britain's most familiar wild rose, its delicate, pale-pink, five-petalled flowers adorning hedgerows and woodland edges throughout England, Wales, and southern Scotland from June to July. The flowers are 4–5 cm across, with a central boss of golden stamens, and carry a light, sweet fragrance. The plant is a vigorous scrambler, using its curved thorns to clamber through other vegetation and reach the light. In autumn, it produces oval, bright-red hips that are among the richest natural sources of Vitamin C — containing 20 times more than oranges. During World War II, when citrus fruits were scarce, the government organised the collection of millions of rose hips to make rosehip syrup for children. The Dog Rose is the county flower of Hampshire.
Habitats
Key Pollinators
Traditional Uses
Rose hips are extremely rich in Vitamin C and are used to make rosehip syrup, jelly, and wine. The petals are edible and can be used in salads. The plant has been used in traditional medicine.
Did You Know?
During World War II, over 450 tonnes of rosehips were collected by British schoolchildren each year to make rosehip syrup — a vital source of Vitamin C when citrus fruits were unavailable.
Related Species
Bluebell
Hyacinthoides non-scripta
Britain's most beloved woodland flower, carpeting ancient forests in a haze of violet-blue each April and May.
Foxglove
Digitalis purpurea
A towering spike of thimble-shaped purple bells, beloved by bumblebees and the source of the heart medicine digitalis.
Wild Garlic
Allium ursinum
Star-shaped white flowers and broad, glossy leaves that fill damp woodland with an unmistakable garlicky scent each spring.