Rosa canina (Dog/Wild Rose) seeds

Lovely native species rose often grown as part of an informal mixed hedge to provide colour and interest amongst the green! In summer, has one very attractive flush of lightly scented, flesh pink flowers, although they can be a darker pink or even white, followed by an abundance of bright red hips, much to the delight of the birds. One feature which can be an advantage are the very prickly stems - great for keeping out intruders and unwanted cats!

Hardy Shrub
Flowers & Fruit: Summer to autumn
Height: 4m, Spread: 3m
Position: Sun and will grow in any soil

Packet of 50 or 250 seeds

RHS Plants for Pollinators. 

The RHS Plants for Pollinators mark is only given to plants that support pollinating insects. Find out more at rhs.org.uk/plantsforpollinators

GROWING GUIDE

Sowing Instructions:  Sow at any time of the year. Sow very thinly in trays or pots of moist seed compost mixed with a little vermiculite and just cover the seeds with vermiculite. Seal inside a polythene bag and place the container in the fridge for 12 weeks. [If sowing a large quantity, mix seeds with the compost/vermiculite and place in a resealable bag in the fridge, then sow into trays or directly outdoors in a nursery bed.] Then move to a temperature of about 14-16C and germination should take place in 1 to 6 months. Throughout this process check regularly and ensure the compost does not dry out. Note: Germination can be very erratic, so sow thinly and prick out the seedlings as they become large enough to handle disturbing the rest of the compost as little as possible.

Alternatively, sow as above and place in a cold frame or sheltered part of the garden in autumn and let nature take its course – germination will begin in spring. Remember to protect pots from wildlife! I personally find this a very reliable and easy way to germinate seeds.

Growing Instructions:
Transplant seedlings when large enough to handle into 7.5cm pots and grow on in plenty of light but shaded from direct sun. Harden off plants (move plants outdoors during the day and back in at night for 10 days) and plant out when large enough in a sunny spot with moist soil (dislikes very wet soil).