Rosa canina                                                        Photo Fiona Sunquist ©

The Dog Rose is a so-called “scrambling” rose which often climbs high into trees and bushes with the aid of its many small hooked spines. The flowers have five petals that may vary in color from deep pink, through pale pink to white.

                                                                         Photo Fiona Sunquist ©

Native to Europe and Asia, the dog rose is the stylized rose of Medieval European heraldry. However, this tough adaptable plant has been introduced to many countries, and thrives under a variety of conditions. In New Zealand, it is considered to be an invasive plant. In the U.S., dog roses are frequently seen growing wild along roadsides and around old homesteads.

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