Rosa woodsii

Common Names

Woods' Rose, Wild Rose, Western Wild Rose, Mountain Rose, Interior Rose, Common Wild Rose, Tehachapi Rose, Pearhip Rose, Prairie Rose

Summary

Woods' Rose is a native western North American perennial shrub forming dense thickets, typically 2–5 ft tall, with thorny stems and alternate, odd-pinnate leaves of 5–9 leaflets. Fragrant pink to lilac-pink flowers occur in small clusters at branch tips from June to July, followed by red hips that persist through winter.

Prefers sun to partial shade with well-drained soils, tolerating a broad moisture range from moist to drought-prone once established; hardy in USDA zones 3–8; propagation by seeds and vegetative means including rhizomes, root crown sprouts, and layering, with seeds requiring stratification for germination; erosion control via rhizomatous growth; ornamental and wildlife habitat value; hips edible and used in teas, jellies, and syrups.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

3-6 feet

Spread

3-6 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 3-8

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun; tolerates partial sun and partial shade.

Soil Type

Well-drained soils (clay loam, sandy loam, or sandy soils) with moderate fertility and pH 5.6–7.0

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soil; avoid waterlogged conditions

Soil pH

6.0-7.0, Mildly acidic to mildly alkaline (near neutral) soils

Bloom Color

Pink

Bloom Time

Spring to Summer

Foliage Color

Green

Fall Foliage Color

Bright Red, Yellow to Orange, Orange-Red

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Fast

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings, Layering, Division

Attracts Wildlife

Bees, butterflies, other pollinators, and birds are attracted.