dog rose

Rosa canina

• A scrambling shrub
   
• Long arching stems armed with curved thorns
   
• Produces beautiful pink or white flowers in summer
   
• Has striking red "rose-hips" in autumn
   

Where found

In woodland, hedgerows and on scrubland

Found throughout the UK, although more common in the south. Prefers heavy soils
 

When to look for

• First flowers in May and June 
   
• Ripe fruit in September

Did you know

'Robin's pincushion', caused by the gall wasp Diplolepis rosae, is commonly found on Rosa canina. Diplolepis lays up to 60 eggs in an unopened leaf axillary causing a chemical distortion resulting in the familiar moss-like ball. The larvae overwinter here and emerge in May.