Rugosa Rose (Rosa rugosa)

How much light does a Rugosa Rose need?

Full sun is what rugosa rose (Rosa rugosa) takes outdoors. The source describes that as six or more hours of direct sunlight a day. Full sun is the only outdoor light level listed for this shrub. The indoor light record also says direct sun, with no lower light level listed as tolerated. Choose a spot that gets that much direct sun each day.

• Light: Full sun^1,2

How often to water a Rugosa Rose

Water needs for rugosa rose run from dry to medium. The cited source lists consistently moist, well-drained soil, along with occasional periods of dry soil and prolonged periods of dry soil. Soil drainage is recorded as well drained, moist and occasionally dry. Good drainage is part of the record for this shrub.

• Water: Dry to medium²

Best soil for a Rugosa Rose

Soil for this shrub can be well drained, moist or occasionally dry. The record lists good drainage as part of that range. Soil pH can run from 5 to 8, which spans acid to alkaline soil. Both ends of that pH range are listed as tolerated. Prolonged periods of dry soil are listed as well.

• Soil drainage: Well drained, moist and occasionally dry^2,1
• Soil pH: pH 5–8²

Hardiness and temperature

USDA zones 2a through 7b are the range recorded for this shrub. That covers every half-zone step, from 2a, 2b, 3a and 3b up to 7a and 7b. The range starts at zone 2a and ends at zone 7b. No cited source records a minimum temperature for it. Humidity is also not documented.

• Hardiness: Zones 2a–7b¹

Fertilizing a Rugosa Rose

Fertilize rugosa rose monthly during the growing season. The schedule covers five months and then stops. Stopping feeding reduces new growth that may not harden off before winter. New growth that does not harden off before winter is the concern the source names.

• Fertilizer: Monthly in the growing season (Apr–Aug)³

How to plant a Rugosa Rose

Plant rugosa rose where your USDA zone falls between 2a and 7b. Its mature spread is 3.9–5.9 ft (1.2–1.8 m), and its height is the same. Choose a full sun spot with well-drained soil. Its flowers are pink or white. In the United States it is recorded as introduced in Alaska and in the lower 48 states. Its native range is listed as the regions coded CHM, CHN, JAP, KAM, KOR, PRM and SAK.

• Hardiness: Zones 2a–7b¹

Winter care

Cold hardiness for this rose is recorded as zones 2a through 7b. No cited source gives a minimum temperature, so a lowest safe temperature is not documented. The fertilizer schedule ends feeding so that late growth can harden off before winter. Winter protection methods such as mulch or wrapping are not documented for this page.

• Hardiness: Zones 2a–7b¹

How to propagate a Rugosa Rose

Stem cuttings are the recommended way to propagate rugosa rose. The source names stem cutting as its propagation strategy. No other method is listed in the record for this shrub. Rapid growth is recorded for this shrub, and stem cutting is its only listed method. The record gives no timing, rooting medium or cutting length, so those details are not documented here.

• Propagation: Stem cuttings¹

Common problems

Four diseases are listed for rugosa rose: rust, rose rosette, black spot and powdery mildew. The source says these may occur, not that they always do. No pests are listed in the record for this species. Deer tend to avoid it but may eat the flowers.

• Common diseases: rust, rose rosette, black spot and powdery mildew¹

Questions and answers

How much sun does rugosa rose need?

It needs full sun, which the source describes as six or more hours of direct sunlight a day. Full sun is the only outdoor light level listed. The indoor light record also says direct sun.

What size does rugosa rose reach?

It reaches 3.9–5.9 ft (1.2–1.8 m) tall and the same distance across. Its growth rate is recorded as rapid. Maintenance is rated high. It is classed as a shrub.

Which USDA zones suit rugosa rose?

It is rated for zones 2a through 7b. That range covers every half-zone step between those two ends. Its flowers are pink or white. Deer tend to avoid it but may eat the flowers.