In modern gardens, much ado is often made about new plants, valued because they are new and cannot be seen in any other gardens except those choice few whose owners keep up with the times.
However, for those gardeners who like to have at least one plant in their gardens that they know has been grown and cherished for centuries, the sweetbriar rose, Rosa Eglanteria, might be suggested.
Rosa Eglanteria “Sweetbriar Rose”
A native of Europe, it is common there in hedge rows, where it will grow from 3’ to 6’ feet tall.
It is the only native rose that is sufficiently popular today to be classed as a common garden plant in England. It is also frequently seen growing with the dog rose, Rosa canina.
An erect, compact bush native throughout Europe to Persia, a single plant has been known to live as long as 120 years and still produce hundreds of blossoms.
A century ago, many varieties originating from this species were popular in gardens, but most of these have been discarded in favor of other rose varieties since that time.
Hardy as far north as Boston and Chicago, it grows in any good garden soil.
Sweetbriar Rose Defining Characteristics
Blooms
The flowers are single, pink and about 1 ½” inches in diameter, appearing in mid-June, and there is a double-flowered variety (duplex).
Sometimes, they are borne singly, sometimes in threes or even sevens.
The large egg-shaped fruits are brilliant orange and scarlet, remaining on the plant from mid-August until December.
Foliage
The sweetbriar is a delight to the gardeners who know it well because of its foliage.
On occasion, the leaves are compound with 5, 7, or even 9 leaflets and are very fragrant.
This is especially true and especially noticeable after a short summer shower has moistened them.
Fragrance in any garden is to be desired, and when foliage is fragrant and the flowers, as in this case, fragrance can be depended upon throughout the season and not just during the short period of bloom.
Sweetbriar Propagation
It is splendid as a low, clipped hedge, for it can be clipped back annually before growth starts in the spring and remains untouched the rest of the season.
Like most roses, it is easily propagated through:
- Seed
- Budding
- Cuttings
- Grafting
And like the many other wild roses of the world, it is not nearly as susceptible to the many rose troubles as are the majority of hybrid tea roses.
Related: What Is The The Banshee Rose: The Blizzard Zone Rose