Rosa virginiana explained

Rosa virginiana, commonly known as the Virginia rose,[1] common wild rose or prairie rose, is a woody perennial in the rose family native to eastern North America, where it is the most common wild rose.[2] It is deciduous, forming a suckering shrub up to 2 metres in height, though often less. The stems are covered in numerous hooked prickles. The leaves are pinnate, usually with between 7 and 9 glossy leaflets. The pink flowers are borne singly or in small clusters and appear over a long period in midsummer. The fruits are small, round and bright red, rich in vitamin C and edible, being both used to make jams and tea.[3] It grows in clearings, thickets, and shores.[4] The plant attracts birds, bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.[5]

Charles and Bridget Quest-Ritson describe R. virginiana as "the best all-rounder among the wild roses", and draw attention to its leaf coloration in the fall: "the whole plant turns yellow, orange, scarlet, crimson and brown for weeks on end".[6]

In cultivation, this plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[7]

Notes and References

  1. http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=ROVI2 Rosa virginiana
  2. Phillips, R. and Rix, M. The Ultimate Guide to Roses, Macmillan, 2004, p25
  3. Book: Niering . William A. . William Niering. Olmstead . Nancy C. . The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Wildflowers, Eastern Region . 1985 . 1979. Knopf . 0-394-50432-1 . 758.
  4. Web site: Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - The University of Texas at Austin. 2022-02-12. www.wildflower.org.
  5. Web site: Rosa virginiana (Common Wild Rose, Prairie Rose, Virginia Rose) North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. 2022-02-12. plants.ces.ncsu.edu.
  6. Quest-Ritson, C. and Quest-Ritson, B., The Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopedia of Roses, Dorling Kindersley, 2003, p413
  7. Web site: Rosa virginiana. Royal Horticultural Society . 2017 . 2017-01-15.