Dog Rose - Rosa canina

Irish name - Feirdhris
Ulster Scots name - Buckie-breer or raise
Rose family - Rosaceae

Characteristics

• Dog rose is a rambling rose producing stems of 3m (9ft) or more. It doesn’t often reach this height as the branches tend to curl over.
• Dog rose makes an excellent hedge plant. Sturdy hooked prickes enable it to hold onto supporting shrubs.
• It should only be planted in a hawthorn hedge after the hawthorn has become established enough to cope with the rose’s climbing habit.

Season

• Leaves open in April and pink or white flowers appear in June and July. The hips form in late summer but are not fully ripe until October or November.

Preferred Environment

• Dog rose is found in hedgerows, in scrub, and along the margins of woodland. If growing in shade within the woodland, it often fails to flower or bear fruit.
• It will grow on a wide range of soils, but dislikes wet soils or exposed sites.

Wildlife Associations

• There are about 100 insect species that are associated with dog rose.
• Birds and small mammals are attracted by the fruits, known as hips.

Uses

• Rose hip cordial, syrup and wine can all be made from dog rose hips. The hips have a high vitamin C content.
• Nurserymen cultivate dog rose for its strong rootstock.
• The hairy seeds inside the rose hip have long been used by children as effective itching powder.

Please remember...

Permission from the landowner - and, if the site holds any kind of designation, from Northern Ireland Environment Agency too - must be sought before collecting plant material (including seeds).