Rosa virginiana (Virginia Rose)

Rosa virginiana, commonly called Virginia rose or common wild rose, is a medium to large-sized woody shrub native to the American northeast and mid-Atlantic states. Found in a variety of different ecosystems, Virginia rose is known for its beautiful, delicate, 5-petaled pink flowers with yellow centers, with flower petals ranging from pale, pastel pink to magenta or fuchsia. Typically mound-forming in habit, Rosa virginiana usually grows to about 4-6’ tall and wide, with dense foliage and sharp, hooked thorns. Its attractive spring and summer flowers are highly desirable to a number of pollinators, and its small summer to fall fruits, called hips, are edible and sought after by birds and other wildlife.

Since it is native to a wide variety of locations, Virginia rose has a lot of tolerance to different moisture levels and serves as a very versatile plant in the home landscape. Its many varied ecosystem niches mean that not only does Rosa virginiana tolerate multiple light levels, soil types, and moisture levels, but it also means that Virginia rose is the perfect choice for ornamental borders, sandy areas with salt exposure, pollinator gardens, and even foundation plantings.