Common Name: Virginia Rose

General Information

Rosa virginiana is a prickly, deciduous shrub with erect to ascending, densely-branched stems usually growing 100 - 300cm long. The plant can sucker freely and often forms dense thickets[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine. It is used in soil stabilization projects and is also grown as an ornamental, where it can be used both as a hedge and a ground cover.

Known Hazards

There is a layer of hairs around the seeds just beneath the flesh of the fruit. These hairs can cause irritation to the mouth and digestive tract if ingested.

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Eastern N. America - Ontario, Quebec and Newfoundland, south to Tennessee and Virginia

Habitat

Mainly near the coast, growing in grasslands, woods, cliffs, maritime heathlands, ditches, old fields, edges of wet spruce woods, rocky ledges, damp thickets, swamps, streams, shores; at elevations up to 200 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	1.50 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Pollinators	Bees
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Rosa virginiana is a very cold-hardy plant, being able to tolerate temperatures down to around -35°c when fully dormant[].
Succeeds in most soils, preferring one on the dryish side[]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Prefers a circumneutral soil and a sunny position[]. Dislikes water-logged soils. Does well in a windy position[] and tolerant of maritime exposure.
The flowers are fragrant[].
This species, especially the form in cultivation in Britain is very invasive, forming dense thickets with its suckers[].
Rose species will often hybridize freely with other members of the genus[].
Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[]. The orange-red to red or red-black, globose to depressed-globose fruit is 8 - 13mm in diameter[], but there is only a thin layer of flesh surrounding the many seeds[]. Some care has to be taken when eating this fruit, see the notes above on known hazards.

The buds are eaten by native Indians in N. America[, , ]. No further details are given, does this refer to the leaf or flower buds?

The seed of roses is generally a good source of vitamin E, it can be ground into a powder and mixed with flour or added to other foods as a supplement[, ]. Be sure to remove the seed hairs[].

Medicinal

A decoction of the roots has been used as a bath and to treat worms in children[]. An infusion of the roots has been drunk and used as a wash in treating bleeding cuts on the feet[].
An infusion of the roots has been used as a wash to treat sore eyes[].

The fruit of many members of this genus is a very rich source of vitamins and minerals, especially in vitamins A, C and E, flavanoids and other bio-active compounds. It is also a fairly good source of essential fatty acids, which is fairly unusual for a fruit. It is being investigated as a food that is capable of reducing the incidence of cancer and also as a means of halting or reversing the growth of cancers[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Plants can be grown as a hedge, succeeding in windy positions[, ].
The suckering form of this species can be used to stabilize sand dunes[]. It also makes a good ground cover[].
Rose species in general grow well with alliums, parsley, mignonette and lupins[, ]. Garlic planted nearby can help protect the plant from disease and insect predation[, ]. Roses often grow badly with boxwood[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed. Rose seed often takes two years to germinate. This is because it may need a warm spell of weather after a cold spell in order to mature the embryo and reduce the seedcoat[]. One possible way to reduce this time is to scarify the seed and then place it for 2 - 3 weeks in damp peat at a temperature of 27 - 32°c (by which time the seed should have imbibed). It is then kept at 3°c for the next 4 months by which time it should be starting to germinate[]. Alternatively, it is possible that seed harvested 'green' (when it is fully developed but before it has dried on the plant) and sown immediately will germinate in the late winter. This method has not as yet(1988) been fully tested[]. Seed sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame sometimes germinates in spring though it may take 18 months. Stored seed can be sown as early in the year as possible and stratified for 6 weeks at 5°c[]. It may take 2 years to germinate[]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. Plant out in the summer if the plants are more than 25cm tall, otherwise grow on in a cold frame for the winter and plant out in late spring.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood with a heel, July in a shaded frame. Overwinter the plants in the frame and plant out in late spring[]. High percentage[].
Cuttings of mature wood of the current seasons growth. Select pencil thick shoots in early autumn that are about 20 - 25cm long and plant them in a sheltered position outdoors or in a cold frame[, ]. The cuttings can take 12 months to establish but a high percentage of them normally succeed[].
Division of suckers in the dormant season. Plant them out direct into their permanent positions.
Layering. Takes 12 months[].