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Rosa rugosa 'Polar Ice' ('Polar Ice' rugosa rose)

Rosa rugosa 'Polar Ice' Photo/Illustration: Jennifer Benner


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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Botanical Name: Rosa rugosa 'Polar Ice' ROE-sah roo-GO-sah Common Name: 'Polar Ice' rugosa rose Synonyms: R. rugosa 'Polareis' Genus: Rosa
'Polar Ice' is one of the most vigorous and densely growing rugosa roses and features clusters of double, slightly nodding flowers. Green buds open to creamy white blooms with pink petals and deeper pink centers. The flowers smell lightly of baby powder, and the new lime green foliage smells like strawberries and sweet grass. In autumn, the foliage turns bright yellow. -Suzanne Verrier, No muss, no fuss rugosa roses, Fine Gardening issue #121
 Noteworthy characteristics: Rugosa roses are listed as an invasive plant in some areas, including Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Washington.
 Care: Provide full sun, good air circulation, and fertile, well-drained soil. Top-dress with compost after planting and every subsequent spring and fall.
 Propagation: Dig up suckers in fall and, with a sharp spade, cut the root that connects the sucker to the shrub as close to the mother plant as possible. Leave the sucker in place in the ground until early spring, by which time it will have developed its own root system. Transplant it to a more desirable location.
 Problems: Japanese beetles, rose stem girdler, deer.
Height 3 ft. to 6 ft.
Spread 3 ft. to 6 ft.
Growth Pace Invasive/Aggressive Grower
Light Full Sun Only
Moisture Medium Moisture
Maintenance Moderate
Characteristics Fragrant Flowers; Fragrant Foliage; Showy Fall Foliage; Showy Flowers; Showy Seed Heads
Bloom Time Early Summer; Late Spring; Late Summer; Spring; Summer
Flower Color Pink Flower; White Flower
Uses Beds and Borders, Hedge, Screening, Specimen Plant/ Focal Point
Style Cottage Garden
Seasonal Interest Spring Interest, Summer Interest, Fall Interest
Type Shrubs

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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Large, open, semi-double pink flowers with yellow stamens and an intoxicating scent make 'Foxi' an outstanding rugosa rose. The relatively small height of the shrub makes the blossoms appear larger. This is a relatively new rugosa rose. -Suzanne Verrier, No muss, no fuss rugosa roses, Fine Gardening issue #121
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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

'Henry Hudson' has flattened, symmetrical, semi-double, white flowers with a spicy clove scent. The dense and deep green foliage makes a fitting backdrop for this selection's reddish buds and ensuing cream-colored flowers. The blossoms don't drop cleanly, so deadheading is necessary. -Suzanne Verrier, No muss, no fuss rugosa roses, Fine Gardening issue #121
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'Purple Pavement' has large, ruffled blossoms with a  purple-red color and strong fragrance. In the fall, the blossoms give way to large, handsome hips, and the foliage turns from green to shades of yellow and maroon. This shapely shrub with dependable repeat bloom it is especially good for a late display, when the hips appear alongside fall asters and other perennials with assertive autumn colors. -Suzanne Verrier, No muss, no fuss rugosa roses, Fine Gardening issue #121