The Nicholas Sweetbriar Rose is no “Johnny come lately,” but a rose of ancient lineage, a consort of king and commoner, of lords and ladies, and a native of Europe that has spread across the world.
This is the Eglantine rose of Shakespeare and Elizabeth I, given the scientific name Rosa eglanieria by Linnaeus.
It has been a much loved rose with a sentimental value that has taken it wherever Englishmen have followed the path of empire.
Sweetbriar Rose A World Traveler
The sweetbriar rose evidently reached North America long before the Revolutionary War. Records of the Hudson Bay Company list it as having been planted at old Fort Vancouver and in the colonies along time Atlantic seaboard.
The Nicholas Sweetbriar Rose even reached far away from Australia, where it rapidly naturalized itself among the native vegetation.
In North America, too, it is making itself at home and may, in time, become a part of the North American flora.
Related: Do You Know Rosa Virginiana?
A Name From Where?
The Nicholas sweetbriar, named in honor of A. E. Nicholas, a former employee of the University of Nebraska, has an interesting history.
Over 125 years ago, it was brought by wagon from Virginia to southeast Kansas, where (75 years ago) it still grew at the original farm where it was planted.
The plant lover who carried it halfway across the continent has long since died, and the story of the plant’s migration is sketchy.
In 1948, Mr. Nicholas brought a few seeds to the North Platte, Nebraska, Experiment Station.
Plants grown from this seed became the foundation of the strain named after him.
The Importance Of The Sweetbriar Rose
The real question is, “What does this rose have to offer the gardener and conservationist?”
First of all, it is hardy and has a vigor that makes it an easy plant for the gardener.
It makes a neat plant in the garden but is far too vigorous to be planted among less hardy hybrid teas and floribundas.
It must be relegated to the shrub border or used as a hedge plant.
In such locations, it has real merit. The 2” inch single pink flowers are pretty but not spectacular and are followed by bright orange, red fruits that color in late August and remain on the plant all winter.
These colorful fruits are its greatest ornamental asset.
A second value is a fact that the foliage is fragrant.
A single plant, on dewy mornings, will scent a whole garden with the fragrance of ripe apples.
This, in my opinion, is reason enough to grow the rose even if it did not have pretty flowers and attractive fruit.
I like the comment of the great English rosarian.
Dean Hole said of the sweetbriar, “No sweeter scent is wafted heavenward.”
Assets Of The Sweetbriar Rose
In the garden, then, we may list these assets:
- Fragrant foliage that sweetens the garden
- Pretty pink flowers
- Brilliant fruits to brighten the winter months.
- Vigor that survives the toughest going
- As a hedge, its wicked thorns discourage familiarity and form a barrier that even the most intrepid poacher does not care to cross.
Conservation Uses Of The Sweetbriar
The Nicholas sweetbriar may have the greatest promise for conservation uses, especially for the Great Plains.
Far hardier than its relative, the multiflora rose is also better adapted to the lime soils of the prairies and plains.
A strong grower has an ultimate height of 8′ to 10′ feet and an equal spread.
A prolific producer of fruits that hang on all winter, it is an important food plant to the larger game birds.
In addition, it provides shelter for wildlife on a year-round basis.
As a nursery subject, it is easy from seed and grows fast. Once established, it produces 6’ and 7’ foot canes in a single season.
Seedlings survive transplanting well, and plantings are easily established.
The plants spread slowly by suckers, but the rate of spread is probably less rapid than that of the commonly planted multiflora rose, which spreads by tip layers.
The plant is long-lived. No one is certain what its life span may be.
Some English writers claim to know of plants a thousand years old around English castles, but that is a little hard to believe.
At any rate, it will probably outlast the planter in locations where it is satisfied!
When searching to buy the Nicholas sweetbriar rose, look for “Rosa Eglanteria,” a true botanical name.