Local Rose Rosa Rubiginosa is a deciduous shrub with a very short flowering season. It has dark green, glossy leaves and small, single, deep pink flowers. It is a native of Europe and is found in hedgerows, on banks and in woods.
Benefits
- The flowers and hips are aperient, astringent and stomachic.
- An infusion of dried rose petals can be used to treat headaches and dizziness, with honey added the infusion is used as a heart and nerve tonic and a blood purifier.
- A decoration of the petals is used to treat mouth sores.
- The seed is rich in vitamin E and an oil extracted from the seed is used externally in the treatment of burns, scars and wrinkles.
- The fruit of many members of this genus is a very rich source of vitamins and minerals, especially in vitamins A, C and E, flavanoids and other bio-active compounds.
- It is also a fairly good source of essential fatty acids, which is fairly unusual for a fruit.
- It is being investigated as a food that is capable of reducing the incidence of cancer and also as a means of halting or reversing the growth of cancers.
How to care
To ensure your Local Rose Rosa Rubiginosa shrub gets the best start possible, plant it in a location that receives full sun to partial shade and has well-drained soil. Once it’s established, it’s relatively drought tolerant. To encourage blooming, prune it back after it flowers. It’s also important to protect the plant from frost, as it’s not cold hardy.
Water requirement:
Local Rose requires moist but well-drained soil, and will not tolerate water logging. Water well in the first year after planting, and then only when the soil is dry.
Fertilizer:
This plant is not heavy feeder, and too much fertilizer will encourage leaf growth at the expense of flowers. A light application of balanced fertilizer in early spring is all that is needed.
Pruning:
Prune Local Rose immediately after flowering, cutting back the flowered stems by about a third.
Type of Soil:
Rosa Rubiginosa prefers rich, loamy soil, but will tolerate most types of soil as long as it is well-drained.
Pests and diseases:
This plant is relatively pest and disease free, but can be susceptible to black spot, powdery mildew and rust.
Propagation:
Local Rose can be propagated from seed, cuttings or by division.
Landscape uses:
This shrub is perfect for adding color to a garden or landscape. It can be used as a specimen plant, in mass plantings, in hedges or as a groundcover.