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Pink flower and red hips of the rugosa rose in a coastal plantingShrubs

Rosa rugosa

Rugosa Rose

rugosa rosehip rosewinter-hardycoastal plantbird-friendly

The rugosa rose is an exceptionally robust, thorny shrub with fragrant single pink or white flowers from June to September. After flowering, large bright red hips appear that are edible and rich in vitamin C. The wrinkled, dark green foliage turns yellow in autumn.

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Before
After

Characteristics

Sun
Full sun
Water
Low
Height
100–200 cm
Spread
100–200 cm
Hardiness zone
2–7
Family
Rosaceae
Evergreen
No
Flower colors
pink, white
Wildlife value
bees, butterflies, birds

Bloom period

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Care guide

Plant in full sun in virtually any soil type, even poor sand or salty coastal soil. Once established, the plant is extremely drought-tolerant and winter-hardy. Feeding is rarely needed. Ideal as a free-growing hedge or coastal planting.

Pruning tips

Prune as little as possible for a natural shape. Remove dead wood and any overly long branches in early spring. Avoid heavy pruning — the rugosa rose responds better to light corrections.

Good companions

Blooming lavender with purple-blue flowers in summer sunlightShrubs

Lavandula angustifolia

English Lavender

Lavender is a beloved herb with aromatic silver-green foliage and purple-blue flower spikes. This evergreen plant blooms profusely from June to August and is remarkably drought-tolerant, attracting butterflies and bees to the garden.

Full sunLow30–60 cm
Soft blue catmint flower plumes along a garden pathPerennials

Nepeta × faassenii

Catmint

Catmint is a tough border plant with grey-green, aromatic foliage and soft blue flower plumes. It blooms from May to September, making it one of the longest-flowering perennials. Bees love the flowers and cats are drawn to the leaves.

Full sunLow30–45 cm
Blue-violet Geranium Rozanne flowers in a summer borderPerennials

Geranium 'Rozanne'

Geranium 'Rozanne'

Geranium 'Rozanne' is one of the longest-flowering perennials, producing bright blue-violet blooms from June until the first frost. It grows as a wide, low mound and makes an outstanding ground cover. Rozanne is tough, disease-free, and fits nearly any garden style.

Partial shadeLow30–50 cm