Dog rose
Rosa canina, family Rosaceae
A wild climbing rose with pale pink flowers and bright red hips
Dog rose is a scrambling wild rose native to Europe, northwest Africa, and western Asia. It has arching, thorny stems, fragrant pink or white flowers in early summer, and bright red-orange hips in autumn, which are used for food and drink in several countries.
- Dog rose flowers are pale pink to white and lightly scented.
- Its red-orange hips are rich in vitamin C and used for food and drink.
- Dog rose is the county flower of Hampshire and linked to County Leitrim.
- It is considered invasive in Australia, New Zealand, and parts of the US.
What does Dog rose look like?
Dog rose is a climbing shrub with arching, thorny stems that can reach up to 5 metres high. Its leaves are divided into 5 to 7 leaflets and give off a pleasant scent when crushed. The flowers, appearing in early summer, are usually pale pink but can range to deep pink or white, each with five petals and a sweet fragrance. In autumn, the plant produces oval red-orange hips, which often stay on the bush into winter.
Where does Dog rose come from?
Dog rose grows wild across Europe, northwest Africa, and western Asia. Its name comes from ancient Greek and Latin, with legends linking it to treating dog bites. The plant has been known since classical times, though only later classified as a rose. Over time, it has spread widely, both naturally and through cultivation, and is now found in many temperate regions, sometimes as an invasive species.
When and how Dog rose blooms
Dog rose blooms from June to July, thriving in sunny spots and tolerating heavy clay soils but not waterlogged or very dry ground. It is usually grown from seed or by planting young shrubs. The hips ripen in autumn, turning red-orange and remaining on the plant for months unless eaten by wildlife. Some cultivated forms exist, including a rare thornless variety.
How Dog rose is used
The hips are gathered in autumn and eaten fresh or used to make syrups, teas, jams, marmalades, and wine. In Poland, the petals fill doughnuts, while in Bulgaria and Slovenia, the hips are used for drinks. The flowers can be candied or preserved. Dog rose is also planted for hedges and natural gardens, and its image appears in heraldry and on stamps.
Kinds of Dog rose
Several related wild roses are now grouped with dog rose, including R. balsamica, R. corymbifera, and others. The cultivar 'Assisiensis' is notable for lacking thorns. Flower colour can vary from deep pink to white. Its form can be confused with other wild roses like sweetbriar.
What Dog rose means
Dog rose is the county flower of Hampshire and is linked to County Leitrim in Ireland. Its stylised image appears in medieval heraldry and poetry, and it features in Shakespeare's works. The plant symbolises both pain and pleasure, and its five sepals are the subject of a traditional riddle. The Hildesheim Rose in Germany is a famous ancient specimen.
Traditions that use it
Questions people ask about Dog rose
Where does the dog rose come from?
Dog rose is native to Europe, northwest Africa, and western Asia, but it now grows widely in temperate regions around the world, including parts of North America, Australia, and New Zealand.
What does the dog rose look like?
It is a climbing shrub with arching, thorny stems, leaves with 5–7 leaflets, and pale pink to white flowers with five petals. In autumn, it produces oval red-orange hips.
What are dog rose hips used for?
The hips are eaten fresh or used to make syrups, teas, jams, marmalades, and wine. In some countries, the petals are also used in sweets and preserves.
Is the dog rose important in culture?
Yes, it is the county flower of Hampshire and associated with County Leitrim in Ireland. It appears in heraldry, poetry, and legends, and is mentioned in Shakespeare's plays.
Is dog rose invasive anywhere?
Yes, it is considered invasive in Australia, New Zealand, and some regions of the United States, where it can outcompete native plants and spread rapidly.
Good reading and sources
- Rosa canina (S)Royal Horticultural Society, Article
- Plants of the World OnlineRoyal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Plant database
- Where it has been recordedGBIF, Plant database
- Sightings and photos by naturalistsiNaturalist, Plant database
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Rosa canina", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Phool rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. It is not medical or foraging advice: many flowers are poisonous, and traditional uses are reported, not recommended. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
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