I have the chance to pick up a couple rosa rugosa this week. Have no idea what the person wants for them or which variety or color. Anyone know much about them? I've not had one before but am looking forward to getting them started.

I have heard nothing but good about these roses. Are there any negatives I have not considered?
Thanks,
Wade

I would ask over in the rose forum and see what they say over there.

Isn't Rosa Rugosa the common wild variety?

Rugosa is in the same family with Multiflora rose which is the problem child of the wild. Rugosa have been breed in numerous colors but are best known for their hips reaching over an inch in diameter. They are used in homeopathy, Appalachian, and native American medicines and cures. They are well suited to partial shade as are their cousins. Since I live in a woods, or what is left of it since losing all the ash trees, I think they will do well here. (Cindy?)
Wade

Hey, Wade. Just saw this thread so sorry I'm late. I do have a Rosa rugosa that I intentionally planted. Thought I had dug it out for DD but missed some of the roots so it came back. It's a pretty flower but I think it struggles where it's at. I also have "escaped" roses in the wilder areas but can't remember off the top of my head what the species is. Now those are tough plants and some are covered with smaller roses in late spring. I do find wild rose seedlings from time to time and pull those out. The wild roses will sprawl everywhere.

My brief experience tells me that the wild ones may not be the prettiest looking but they sometimes are very aromatic and have large hips.

Usually dead-head roses since they bloom just before JB invasion. I have a Rosa glauca growing in a different area, more shade, that gets distinctive hips but not as large as other species. I think my "wild" rose is R. multiflora, noted as an invasive species. Have tried eradicating them but they always come back. Nope, no Roundup here.

The only hope to get rid of multiflora without chemicals would be goats. They will take multi years of being eaten off to the ground before they finally die.
Wade

Did try digging out the roots but seems like I never get them all. My property borders on wetlands and creek with lots of wild creatures so I don't use chemicals. Ah - those goats would have to rather selective in what they eat - too many other desirable plants in the vicinity. Could let them loose in the wetlands where I have a poison ivy forest.

Goats are browsers rather than grazers like most other domestic livestock. They prefer to eat up off the ground. They will clean up a thicket in a hurry. Many people run goats and sheep together because they are not in competition for the same food source. For sure they would eat down multiflora but they would also keep it down if allowed to stay on the same pasture.
Wade

Ohhh - this isn't pasture, it's wooded thicket mostly with some desirable plants thrown in - a wild edge-of-the-woods type of thing. Would not want them "browsing" among my hostas. Have deer for that.

LOL Cindy! You wouldn't have hostas for long. Yes, deer also are known as browsers. Confined, they would do the same thing as goats!
Wade

Over the years, I've "hosted" an all-you-can-eat hosta buffet.

LOL!