Genus Rosa (Rose)

Rosa Rosa 'Betty Boop' Photo/Illustration: Michelle Gervais
ROE-sah Common Name: Rose
Roses are divided into 150 or so species, some of which have been garden plants for many centuries. Stems are often prickly or thorny and can be erect, arching, scrambling, or trailing. Flower form may be flat, cupped, rounded, high-centered, urn-shaped, rosette-shaped, quartered-rosette, or pompon. Flowers are often fragrant and range in color from white to nearly black. Species and cultivars are divided into old garden roses (in existence before 1867) and modern roses. Each division has many subgroups. There are many thousands of cultivars. Grow roses as specimens, in the border, as hedges or climbers, in the rock garden or cutting garden, or in containers. They can fill pretty much any garden need.
Noteworthy characteristics: Some species have been used in gardens for hundreds of years. Beautiful, fragrant flowers that are often good for cutting. Work well in a variety of garden situations.
Care: Even though many consider roses to be high maintenance plants, in reality they can tolerate a wide range of conditions. They usually prefer an open site in full sun, however. They grow best in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil that is rich in humus. Plant in early spring or late fall. Suckers should be removed from rootstock. Plants flower best with regular feeding.
Propagation: Softwood cuttings can be taken from the time of the first bloom in spring to summer; take hardwood cuttings in fall. Bud in summer. Sow seed in containers in fall.
Problems: Roses are susceptible to a wide variety of pests and diseases including aphids, leafhoppers, spider mites, scale insects, caterpillars, sawfly larvae, Japanese beetles, rose stem girdlers, thrips, rose chafers, rose midges, rose slugs, leaf cutting bees, black spot, rust, powdery mildew, dieback, canker, crown gall, viruses, and downy mildew. Deer and rabbits can munch on plants.

Species, varieties and cultivars for genus Rosa

Rosa 'Ballerina' Rosa 'Ballerina'
(Hybrid musk rose)
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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This showy rose produces a pastel cloud of small pink flowers with lighter centers. The blossoms are single and shallow-cupped; they occur in large, loose clusters. Blooms hold up better in partial shade. This rose grows from 4 to 6 feet tall and wide, blooming from spring to autumn. 

Rosa 'Basye's Purple' Rosa 'Basye's Purple'
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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This outstanding rose has single, fragrant blossoms of rich cabernet-red. The young foliage emerges chartreuse, while the new stems and small thorns are claret. The flowers are followed by hips the color of ripe grapes, which contrast with the amber autumn foliage. This rose grows up to 8 feet high.

Rosa 'Betty Boop' Rosa 'Betty Boop'
(Rose)
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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

'Betty Boop' is a bushy, upright, floribunda rose growing to 3 to 5 feet tall. Semi-double, ivory-white flowers with red edges are borne in clusters over a long period. They are mildly scented. New leaves are dark red, maturing to glossy green. This cultivar does not produce hips.

Rosa 'Betty Prior' Rosa 'Betty Prior'
(Floribunda rose)
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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This rose produces single, carmine-pink, slightly fragrant blooms nonstop from June until frost. It grows 2.5 to 5 feet high and wide.

Rosa 'Black Jade' Rosa 'Black Jade'
(Rose)
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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

A miniature, upright rose with glossy, dark green leaves and very dark red flowers from spring to fall, 'Black Jade' reaches only about 2 feet tall. It is good for growing in containers, rock gardens, and other small areas, or at the front of beds and borders.

Rosa 'Blanc Double de Coubert' Rosa 'Blanc Double de Coubert'
(Hedgehog rose, Ramanas rose, Japanese rose, Sea tomato)
(1 user review)
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

The white of this rose has a purity of color that is without equal. It produces semi-double, very fragrant flowers from spring to fall, which are sometimes followed by orange hips. It grows to 6 feet high and wide.   

no image available Rosa 'Bobby James'
(Hybrid Wichurana rambler)
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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This sweetly scented, rambling rose has glossy leaves and produces large groups of semi-double, creamy-white, 2-inch-wide blossoms in summer. It grows to 30 feet high.

Rosa 'Buff Beauty' Rosa 'Buff Beauty'
(Hybrid musk rose)
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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This fragrant rose produces generous clusters of double apricot flowers that fade to a soft yellow. It usually grows to 5 feet and taller when trained, making it an ideal candidate for screening or growing up a wall, arch, or trellis. It blooms from spring to autumn. 

Rosa 'Cardinal de Richelieu' Rosa 'Cardinal de Richelieu'
(Rose)
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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This is one of the darkest-flowered roses from the oldest class of garden roses, the gallicas. 'Cardinal de Richelieu' is a strong grower with a compact, lax habit. The rounded, double, fragrant, deeply colored flowers are a deep burgundy-purple. They are in bloom from spring to early summer. Introduced in 1840.

Rosa 'Carefree Beauty' Rosa 'Carefree Beauty'
(Rose)
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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This vigorous, upright shrub rose sports smooth, olive-green leaves and clusters of cup-shaped, semi-double, fragrant, bubble-gum-pink flowers from spring to fall. Flowers are followed by round hips in shades of orange and red.

Rosa 'Charles Albanel' Rosa 'Charles Albanel'
(Hedgehog rose, Ramanas rose, Japanese rose, Sea tomato)
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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This spreading rose grows to only 2 feet tall, making it an ideal groundcover for a steep bank or roadside. It produces fragrant, double, deep-pink blossoms from spring to fall.  

Rosa ‘China Doll’ Rosa ‘China Doll’
(Polyantha rose, Sweetheart rose)
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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This dwarf rose grows to only 18 inches tall, and covers itself all season long with large clusters of lightly scented vibrant pink flowers.

Rosa 'Climbing Pinkie' Rosa 'Climbing Pinkie'
(Polyantha rose, Sweetheart rose)
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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This fragrant rose blooms nonstop from June until frost, with vivid pink, semidouble blossoms. It grows 6 to 8 feet high, making it ideal for training up walls, pillars, or other structures.

Rosa 'Cornelia' Rosa 'Cornelia'
(Hybrid musk rose)
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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This old-fashioned looking rose has a bicolor look with its clustered coral buds and pink double flowers with copper centers. It forms an arching shrub, reaching 5 feet high and wide, and blooms from spring to autumn, with its largest flush in the spring. 

Rosa 'Crepuscule' Rosa 'Crepuscule'
(Noisette rose)
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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This climber produces an endless display of fragrant apricot-yellow blossoms. It grows to about 12 feet high and makes the perfect vertical accent in the garden.

Rosa 'Duchesse de Brabant' Rosa 'Duchesse de Brabant'
(Tea rose)
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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This scented rose was reputed to be a favorite of Teddy Roosevelt. It has beautifully formed, double rosy-pink blossoms. It blooms all season long and grows to 5 feet high and wide.

no image available Rosa 'F. J. Grootendorst'
(Hedgehog rose, Ramanas rose, Japanese rose, Sea tomato)
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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This rose has large clusters of small, violet-red pompom blossoms with a spicy fragrance. It blooms nonstop throughout the season and grows to 5 feet or more.   

Rosa 'Fair Bianca' Rosa 'Fair Bianca'
(English shrub rose)
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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This David Austin rose grows to only 2.5 feet tall. It produces beautifully cupped, double white flowers with petals densely arranged in the center. It is strongly scented.

Rosa 'Frau Dagmar Hastrup' Rosa 'Frau Dagmar Hastrup'
(Hedgehog rose, Ramanas rose, Japanese rose, Sea tomato)
(1 user review)
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This choice rose has single, gently cupped light-pink flowers that exude an intense, clove-scented perfume. It blooms in spring and sporadically throughout the season, and produces red hips. In autumn, the foliage turns deep maroon, which changes to yellow tinged with coppery highlights. It grows to 3 to 4 feet high and wide.   

Rosa 'Gertrude Jekyll' Rosa 'Gertrude Jekyll'
(English shrub rose)
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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This rose with an influential namesake has beautifully cupped double blossoms of rich pink. It produces arching stems to 5 feet or more and 3 feet wide, making it an ideal candidate for training up a low structure.

Rosa 'Graham Thomas' Rosa 'Graham Thomas'
(English shrub rose)
(1 user review)
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This notable rose has quartered-rosette, double blossoms of rich yellow. It produces arching stems to 5 feet or more, making it an ideal candidate for training up a low structure.

Rosa 'Lavender Lassie' Rosa 'Lavender Lassie'
(Hybrid musk rose)
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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This fragrant rose produces semi-double, medium-pink flowers occuring in large clusters. It grows 5 feet tall and up to 8 feet wide, making it ideal for training up a wall, arch, or trellis. It blooms from spring to autumn. 

no image available Rosa 'Little Darling'
(Floribunda rose)
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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This fragrant rose produces single salmon-pink blossoms with yellow basal highlights. It blooms nonstop from June until frost and grows 3 to 5 feet high and wide.

Rosa 'Maggie' Rosa 'Maggie'
(Bourbon rose)
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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This deeply fragrant rose produces rounded double blossoms of mauve-red in spring and fall. It grows to 6 feet high and wide.

Rosa 'Mermaid' Rosa 'Mermaid'
(Climbing large-flowered rose)
(1 user review)
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This R. bracteata and Hybrid tea cross exhibits many attributes of its parentage. It bears large, single soft-yellow blossoms (to 5 inches across) with a deeper hued center and conspicuous, ruddy-orange stamens. It grows to 20 feet high or wide and blooms continuously, making it a beautiful choice for climbing up walls, fences, or other sturdy structures. It can also be maintained as a shrub.

Rosa 'Mozart' Rosa 'Mozart'
(Hybrid musk rose)
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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This profuse bloomer produces enormous sprays of small, single pink blooms with white centers and dark reddish-pink edges. While it lacks fragrance, it is disease free, and if left alone, produces orange hips. It grows 5 feet tall and up to 8 feet wide, making it ideal for training up a wall, arch, or trellis. It blooms from spring to autumn. 

no image available Rosa 'Old Blush'
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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This rose produces musky and sweet-scented blossoms of pale to medium pink, which bloom continuously from spring until frost. They are followed by large orange hips. 'Old Blush' grows to about 4 feet high and wide.

Rosa 'Prosperity' Rosa 'Prosperity'
(Hybrid musk rose)
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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This rose produces a profusion of rosette-shaped ivory blossoms in large clusters. It forms a densely arching shrub, reaching 8 feet high and 4 feet wide and blooming from spring to autumn. It is ideal as a low climber up a wall, arch, or trellis.

Rosa 'Radrazz' Rosa 'Radrazz'
(Knock Out® rose)
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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This must-have, award-winning rose commands a place of stature in a garden. The vibrant blossoms appear in spring and continue every few weeks until the first frost. Dark green foliage and hearty stems are edged with red in fall.

no image available Rosa 'Redcoat'
(English shrub rose)
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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This David Austin rose produces vibrant, semi-double red blossoms with contrasting yellow stamens all season long. It grows from 2.5 to 5 feet tall.

Rosa 'Rose de Rescht' Rosa 'Rose de Rescht'
(Damask perpetual rose)
(1 user review)
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This compact rose has fragrant, fuschia-red flowers packed with petals that fade to purple as they age. It grows up to 4 feet high and 3 feet wide, and blooms from spring to fall. 

no image available Rosa 'Secret'
(Hybrid tea rose, Large-flowered rose)
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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This intensely fragrant rose has high-centered, double blossoms of creamy pink edged with deeper pink. It blooms in summer and into fall, and grows to 5 feet high and 2 feet wide. 

Rosa 'Souvenir de la Malmaison' Rosa 'Souvenir de la Malmaison'
(Bourbon rose)
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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This small rose is ideal for the front of the border because its size rarely exceeds 2 feet in height. It produces pale lavender-pink to white, quartered-rosette blossoms with a spicy fragrance. It blooms from spring to autumn. 

no image available Rosa 'St. Patrick'
(Hybrid tea rose, Large-flowered rose)
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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This double-flowered rose has yellow blossoms with green outer petals. The flowers are perfectly formed and are excellent for cutting. It blooms in summer and into fall, and grows to 5 feet high and 3 feet wide. 

Rosa 'The Fairy' Rosa 'The Fairy'
(Polyantha rose, Sweetheart rose)
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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This well-loved rose blooms nonstop from June until frost, with double, rosette-shaped blossoms of light pink. It grows 2 to 3 feet high and wide.

Rosa 'Vanity' Rosa 'Vanity'
(Hybrid musk rose)
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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This rose produces brilliant hot pink blossoms at the tips of wide, arching branches. It forms a loosely branched shrub, reaching 6 feet high and 10 feet wide, and blooms from spring to autumn. It is ideal as a low climber up a wall, arch, or trellis.

Rosa 'Zephirine Drouhin' Rosa 'Zephirine Drouhin'
(Thornless rose, Bourbon rose)
(4 user reviews)
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This wonderfully fragrant rose produces generous clusters of double cerise-rose flowers, which open in flushes from spring to autumn. It grows to 10 or 12 feet tall and may be grown as a large shrub or climber. It is thornless, and suffers from blackspot and mildew.

Rosa chinensis 'Mutabilis' Rosa chinensis 'Mutabilis'
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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This beauty is prized for the unusual qualities of its flowers, which bloom continuously from spring until frost. The single cupped flowers open a honey-yellow, then they become coppery-pink, then watermelon, and finally a rich mahogany. The foliage is reddish purple, disease-resistant, and is evergreen in warm climates. This rose can be treated as a shrub or trained as a climber, reaching 10 feet high and 6 feet wide.

Rosa palustris var. scandens Rosa palustris var. scandens
(Swamp rose)
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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This graceful and arching variety of our native swamp rose has single rosy-pink blossoms with a mild scent. It retains the disease resistance of its native ancestor, and has the added quality of being thornless. 

no image available Rosa roxburghii f. normalis
(Chestnut rose)
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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This species produces single medium pink blossoms with decorative indents at the tips of the petals. It blooms in spring, followed by hips that age to brown. In the winter, its bark peels in shades of brown and beige. It grows 6 to 10 feet high and 6 feet wide.

Rosa rugosa 'Agnes' Rosa rugosa 'Agnes'
('Agnes' rugosa rose)
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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Yellow is an unusual color among rugosa roses, and 'Agnes' is unquestionably the best of the bunch. This variety presents the finest rugosa attributes in both leaf and overall form. The doubled blooms present an old-fashioned appearance and a delightful fragrance more akin to antique roses. Sporting an apricot hue in cooler weather, 'Agnes' turns a soft yellow with warm temperatures.

Rosa rugosa 'Dart's Dash' Rosa rugosa 'Dart's Dash'
('Dart's Dash' rugosa rose)
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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

A lesser-known rugosa rose but one of the best of the crimson doubles, 'Dart's Dash' has large, fragrant blossoms with a typical spicy rugosa perfume. Its flowers are followed by the best and biggest display of showy hips of any rugosa available. Quick to establish, it is an excellent choice for a low hedge.

Rosa rugosa 'Foxi' Rosa rugosa 'Foxi'
('Foxi' rugosa rose)
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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

'Foxi' is an excellently performing new variety of rugosa rose. Large, open, semi-double flowers of rich pink with a nice showing of yellow stamens and a heady fragrance make it an outstanding choice. The blossoms and hips of 'Foxi' are particularly large in proportion to the smaller stature of the overall shrub.

Rosa rugosa 'Henry Hudson' Rosa rugosa 'Henry Hudson'
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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This rugosa rose has flattened, symmetrical, semi-double, snowy white flowers with a spicy clove scent. The blooms display well against the shrub's dense growth of deep green foliage. Crimson-hued buds add even more color to this lovely variety. The blossoms don't drop cleanly, so deadheading is necessary.

no image available Rosa rugosa 'Linda Campbell'
('Linda Campbell' rugosa rose)
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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

'Linda Campbell' is a fragrance-free, true red rugosa rose. Though its foliage is not entirely rugose, little of its tenacity and vigor has been sacrificed for its smooth leaves and exceptional flower color. Handsome, glossy foliage and clusters of elegant buds open to bright blossoms. The upright habit of 'Linda Campbell' makes it a particularly nice addition to the back of a hot-color border.

Rosa rugosa 'Polar Ice' Rosa rugosa 'Polar Ice'
('Polar Ice' rugosa rose)
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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

'Polar Ice', also known as 'Polareis,' is one of the most impressive, vigorous, and densely growing rugosa rose varieties, exemplifying every positive trait of a rugosa rose. With clusters of double, slightly nodding flowers, the green buds of 'Polar Ice' open to creamy white blooms with shell pink petals and deeper pink centers. The flowers smell lightly of baby powder, and the new, glossy, lime green foliage smells like strawberries and sweet grass. The fall foliage of this exceptional rose turns the brightest, clearest yellow of all the rugosas.

Rosa rugosa 'Purple Pavement' Rosa rugosa 'Purple Pavement'
('Purple Pavement' rugosa rose)
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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

A well-shaped shrub with dependable repeat bloom, 'Purple Pavement' has purple-red blossoms that are large, semi-double, and ruffled with a clear, bright, nonfading color and potent fragrance. It sports a good display of large, handsome hips and provides excellent fall foliage tones from yellow to maroon. A dependable performer, it is especially good for a late display, as fattening hips mix well with fall asters and other perennials featuring strong autumn hues.

Rosa rugosa'Wasagaming' Rosa rugosa 'Wasagaming'
('Wasagaming' rugosa rose)
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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

'Wasagaming' (pronounced "wah-SAG-ah-ming") is truly mesmerizing. This prolific bloomer can outperform any other rugosa rose, possessing all the charm of the antique roses but with greater vigor and better growth habit. The cascade of cupped, double, rich pink blossoms spill across the shrub and cast a heavenly old-rose scent throughout the garden. Lovely and undemanding, 'Wasagaming' will thrive in less sunny but still bright conditions.

Rosa rugosa var. alba Rosa rugosa var. alba
(Hedgehog rose, Ramanas rose, Japanese rose, Sea tomato)
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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This variety has single, papery white blossoms that open from light pink buds and have contrasting yellow stamens. The heavily-scented flowers are followed by reddish-orange hips. It grows up to 6 feet high.