The invaluable red or purple leaved rose. Beautiful foliage has hints of blue and with the single pink flowers in May/June its sublime. These are followed by clusters of showy orange hips. To 7′ x 7′ very quickly in full sun and well drained soil of average to rich fertility. Avoid standing water in winter. Very drought tolerant and easy to grow rose with a minimum of thorns. Large arching habit makes it a natural summer scaffold for smaller Clematis. Long lived, cold hardy. Orange fall color. Extremely cold hardy to zone 2 (-40ºF). Tends to be thornier when young. Older established plants have less. Blooms on wood from the previous year, prune if needed after flowering has ended. Hips are bold and last well in wreaths, swags, bouquets. This tough plant finds a home from the back of pampered borders to freeway verge plantings in Washington State. Long lived. Remove spent wood in winter- it will appear gray. Grown from seed.
Rosa glauca (rubrifolia)
Plant type: Shrub
Biomes/Growing conditions: Hot Aspects, Low Water/No Water, Oregon Coast
Sun exposure: Full Sun
USDA Hardiness zone: Zn4a -25º to -30ºF
Foliage color: Purple/Black
Foliage season: Winter Deciduous