Roses with Abundant Hip Production: Uncovering 6 Rose Varieties Guaranteed for a Bountiful Harvest of Hips Starting from Autumn through Winter
In the world of roses, there's more to these beautiful flowers than meets the eye. Delving beyond the vibrant petals and enchanting fragrances, we find the humble rosehip – a versatile treasure trove waiting to be discovered. Here, we explore some of the best rose varieties for producing rosehips, suitable for both decorative and culinary purposes.
One of the standout varieties is the Master Hugh Rose (Rosa macrophylla). This tall, vigorous bush produces some of the largest rosehips, up to 2 inches long, in a fiery orange-red that lasts well into winter. Its hips, with their striking appearance, make for excellent Christmas wreath or table decor.
The Scotch rose (Rosa spinosissima) is another ancient species rose worth mentioning. It grows low and spreads well, providing a haven for pollinators in summer and a flutter of birds in winter. Its hips are inky black, adding a dramatic touch to winter landscapes.
Moyes Rose (Rosa moyesii) is a tall, arching bush that produces a shock of scarlet red flowers and elongated waxy red rosehips. Its hips are known for their attractiveness, making it a worthy addition to any garden.
Rosa filipes 'Kiftsgate', a prominent feature at Kiftsgate Court Gardens, is an extraordinarily tall and rampant rambler rose. Known for its huge sprays of fragrant single white flowers in summer, it follows these with masses of tiny orange-red rosehips.
Sweetbrier (Rosa eglanteria or Rosa rubiginosa) is a wild rose with fragrant foliage and many small pink flowers. It produces rosehips as well and has been used in breeding. Native North American wild roses, such as Rosa blanda, Meadow Rose, also produce bright red hips in late summer that attract birds and wildlife.
Not to be mistaken, the Red Japanese Rose (Rosa rugosa) is not red, but a riot of hot pink. Its hips can be used for indoor decorations, making jellies and jams, and the rose will still be brimming with hips. With a mass of razor-sharp thorns and non-stop repeat flowering, this rose is a force to be reckoned with.
To allow roses to bear hips, it's essential not to deadhead them and to refrain from pruning until the end of winter, typically in February or March. This allows the rosehips to develop and ripen, starting green around August-September, and then turning red, orange, black, or purple. These hips can persist into winter, providing food for wildlife as well as being used for decorations or culinary purposes like jams and teas.
So, for the best rosehips, species and wild roses like Master Hugh Rose, Scotch Rose, Moyes Rose, Rosa filipes 'Kiftsgate', Sweetbrier, and native roses like Rosa blanda are highly recommended. These rose varieties, with their single or semi-double flowers and lack of repeat flowering, offer a bounty of rosehips for your enjoyment and the benefit of wildlife.
- Home-and-garden enthusiasts seeking to incorporate gardening into their lifestyle may find the Master Hugh Rose, Scotch rose, Moyes Rose, Rosa filipes 'Kiftsgate', Sweetbrier, native roses like Rosa blanda, and the Red Japanese Rose suitable for their garden ideas, providing both aesthetic appeal and a natural food source for wildlife during winter.
- In addition to their striking visual appeal, the hips of rose varieties like the Master Hugh Rose, Scotch rose, Moyes Rose, Rosa filipes 'Kiftsgate', Sweetbrier, native roses like Rosa blanda, and the Red Japanese Rose can be used for decorative purposes such as Christmas wreaths or table decor, as well as for culinary uses like jams, jellies, and teas.
