Ramanas Rose (Rosa rugosa Rubra)

Our range of Rosa rugosa bare root plants (Ramanas rose)

We have bare root Rosa rugosa hedging plants in several sizes.   The 1U1 specification plants are seedlings (often called whips) which were grown from seed in the spring and instead of being sold in the following November to April period they are kept in situ in the field and grown on for a further year or longer which makes a strong bushy plant. Their roots are undercut by a specialised machine to help develp a fibrous root system.

We also have cell grown Rosa rugosa which are grown by one of the UK's best specialist growers and are available all year round.

And we have the white flowering variety which is called Rosa rugosa Alba.

Ramanus Rose (Rosa rugosa Rubra) Summary

The Rosa rugosa is a very striking woodland shrub or hedging plant.  Normally “rubra” in the name would mean “red” but actually the flowers are a strong dark pink colour.  It is easily identified by its huge orange rose hips, the size of a small tomato.  It is very prickly, and it grows suckers from the root so it gradually forms a thicket of prickly growth which is fantastic for wildlife protection.  One of its common names is beach rose and it is indeed good at the coast but also due to its salt resistance, it is good in those highway schemes which are de-iced.

Rosa rugosa is a relatively recent introduction from Japan, and is a useful tough amenity hedging plant.

Soil and Situation

A very robust plant suitable for sun or shade (damp shade or dry shade), even wet positions, and any normal soil.  Whilst it will be fine in most conditions, the ideal conditions are moist, well drained soil in full sun.

Leaves, flowers and fruits

The leaves of Rosa rugosa are typical rose leaves - large (up to 15cm), pinnate with up to 9 leaflets (but usually 7) each leaflet about 3 – 4cm long, hairy on the underside.  They are green in spring and summer and turn yellow in autumn, holding well on the plant and looking very autumnal with the yellow foliage and orange red rose hips.  The open 5 petalled flowers are showy both in colour and size, and are lightly scented.  The fruits are very large and occasionally you will see flowers and fruits on the plant at the same time.

Eventual height and growth rate

Rosa rugosa will grow to about 2m and forms a very thick hedge or shrub.  Growth rate is average at 30-45cm pa.

This species should not be planted in the wild, in accordance with the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 Section 12, Schedule 9 Part 2.

This section gives definitions on the specifications of plants that we sell.  We are specialists in field grown (or bare root) plants which are grown in two ways.  The majority are grown from seed, some are ready within one growing season (seedlings or 1+0's) and some species require two growing seasons (1u1's).  In addition to growing from seed we also grow from small plants or cuttings (transplants) which are much more widely spaced (taking more land, more irrigation water, fertilisers and labour).  There are only a handful of bare root wholesale nurseries in the UK and of those even fewer grow transplants but Ray Jenkins has many years' experience of transplanting so we grow these in large volumes.  Ray has written this blog about the benefits of bare root plants and how they are grown and another blog which gives further detail on bare root specifications.

The detailed specifications are shown below.  If you are in doubt about what specification to use please email us on enquiries@rjtreesandhedging.co.uk with a description of the project (and photos if appropriate) and we will advise you.

1+0 - field grown in one season from seed, known as a seedling (sometimes called a whip), generally a slender single stem plant.   These are the cheapest specification and are particularly suitable for planting where weed competition will be less intense, soil is shallow or on exposed windy sites.  Gives a high root to shoot ratio and minimal plant "check".

2+0 - a 2 year seedling, field grown from seed in the same seed bed in two growing seasons where the species cannot be grown to a saleable plant from seed in one season

1U1 - 2 year old plant called an undercut, field grown for two seasons in the same seed bed and undercut by machine (a sharp blade cutting the roots under the soil level) after the first year to develop the root structure. We do this with several species which take 2 years to develop (eg oak, beech, hornbeam)

1+1 - 2 year old plant (transplant) grown from seed in the first year and then transplanted into a different area of the field and spaced out for the second growing season - a robust plant with a larger and more robust root system than seedling or undercut plant which will enable it to better withstand drought and weed competition. Often the best choice and the staple norm for farm hedging and this specification is a requirement of the Countryside Stewardship Grant

1+2- a 3 year old plant, two years field growing in the seedbed and then transplanted (and spaced out) for a further two growing seasons giving a tall, stocky, bushy plant

2+1- a 3 year old plant, two years field growing in the seedbed and then transplanted (and spaced out) for a further growing season, giving a strong bushy plant

3+1 - as above but field grown for a further growing season for more height and a very bushy plant

1+3- 4 year old, one year field growing in the seed beds and then transplanted (and spaced out) for three years, giving a very strong, bushy plant

2+2- 4 year old, two years field growing in the seed beds and then transplanted (and spaced out) for a further two years - a very mature plant suited to certain species like beech and hornbeam where we can offer almost instant hedging

and some that are a bit different.....

P9 - a plant grown in a greenhouse or polytunnel in a 9cm pot (for holly which germinates poorly in the field)

Cell grown - a plant grown in small deep cells (like a small yogurt pot) and then lifted out of those for transportation. Commonly used in forestry and large hedging projects.  Very high quality plants with excellent success rate.  See our blog on the benefits of cell grown plants.

C+1 or C+2 - a 3 or 4 year old plant initally started as hardwood cuttings grown on for a year as cell grown plants and then lined out in fields to grow on for a further 1 or 2 years (a technique used for Cherry Laurel)

0/1 - a hardwood cutting, then field grown for one season (for example for white willow, black poplar and osier)