Plant Type

Shrub, Herb

 

Height Range

3-6'

 

Flower Color

Pink

 

Flower Season

Summer

 

Leaf Color

Green

 

Bark Color

Brown

 

Fruit Color

Red

 

Fruit Season

Winter, Fall, Persistent

Sun

Full, Half

 

Water

Low

 

Growth Rate

Moderate

 

Soil Type

Clay, Loam

 

Soil Condition

Average, Rich, Well-drained

 

Soil pH

Acid, Neutral, Basic

 

Adverse Factors

Invasive, Thorns/Spines

Design Styles

Mediterranean, Ranch

 

Accenting Features

Fragrance, Showy Flowers

 

Seasonal Interest

Spring, Summer

 

Location Uses

Background, Shrub Border, Walls / Fences

 

Special Uses

Erosion Control, Hedge, Mass Planting, Naturalizing

 

Attracts Wildlife

Birds, Hummingbirds

Woods rose is a Utah native, growing between 6,000 and 11,000 feet at the forest's edge. It has an irregular habit, sort of moundish and upright all at once, and grows from 4 to 6 feet tall and 3 to 5 feet wide, though it may (probably!) sucker and take up much more room. It has single, simple pink flowers in June, followed by hips that ripen to a dark red in in the fall and persisting into winter; they are a little dry but the birds enjoy them. The foliage is a dark green and heavily textured, and turns to yellow in the fall. Useful in naturally-styled landscapes or for restoration and habitat. there is a stand planted at the Greater Avenues Conservation Garden.

Grow in well drained soil, loamy soil, in full sun to part shade. Though a native, it is not particularly drought tolerant, though infrequent watering will help to control the suckering. It can be pruned to control size and suckering, but it is wickedly dense with thorns; I'm inclined to just leave it be.