How to Plant Rosa Rugosa

The Rosa Rugosa is a woody shrub in the rose family. It will grow as large as six feet tall by eight feet wide, and in the summer it will bloom with large, fragrant flowers. Depending on the cultivar, the Rosa Rugosa's blooms can be singles, semi-doubles or doubles, in shades of pink, yellow, white, or purple. Unlike most rose bushes, the Rosa Rugosa is tolerant of most growing conditions. It is even planted in sand dunes and along roadsides to help control erosion.

Things You'll Need

• Rosa Rugosa seedling or container-grown plant
• Garden trowel
• Gardening gloves
• Slow-release fertilizer

Instructions

1. Select a site to plant the Rosa Rugosa. The ideal place has a sandy, light-textured, well-draining soil, and receives full sun exposure.

2. Dig a hole with a garden trowel that is the same width and depth as the Rosa Rugosa's existing container. Moisten the hole with water.

3. Remove the Rosa Rugosa from its existing container by placing your gloved hand on top of the soil in the container, then tip the container upside-down. Lift off the existing container and support the base of the plant with your other gloved hand.

4. Lower the Rosa Rugosa into the hole. Make sure that the plant will be buried to the same depth that it was in its original container.

5. Fill in any open areas in the hole with soil. Pat the soil firmly around the base of the Rosa Rugosa, pressing firmly to remove any air pockets.

6. Water the soil around the Rosa Rugosa until it is well-moistened. Although the Rosa Rugosa does not require fertilizer, it will benefit from some slow-release fertilizer applied after the appearance of new growth.

Tips & Warnings

• Be careful of the very thorny branches of the Rosa Rugosa when planting container-grown plants.

References

• Rugosa Rose
• Rosa Rugosa
• White Rugosa Rose