Field Guide
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Dog Rose
Rosa canina
Not yet photographed by the community
Pale pink hedgerow rose; hips vital for wildlife in winter.
Species Profile
Not threatened; listed as Least Concern. Native species with stable populations.
- Lifespan
- 20–40 years, with some wild specimens living considerably longer
- Size & Weight
- 1–3 m tall; stems 2–3 mm diameter; hips 1–2 cm long
- Habitat
- Hedgerows, woodland edges, scrubland, and disturbed ground throughout the UK, tolerating a wide range of soil types.
- UK Distribution
- Found throughout England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland; native and resident year-round.
- Diet
- Photosynthetic plant; absorbs nutrients from soil and water.
- Predators
- Leaves browsed by rabbits, deer, and sheep; hips consumed by birds and small mammals.
- Mating Season
- June to July
- Breeding
- Flowers June–July; develops red to orange hips in autumn (September–November) containing multiple seeds dispersed primarily by birds and mammals.
- Behaviour
- A deciduous shrub that forms dense thickets, often used by birds for shelter and nesting. It establishes readily from seed and vegetative growth, making it a pioneer species in disturbed habitats. The plant is highly resilient and can regenerate following cutting or browsing.
- •Dog Rose hips are exceptionally rich in vitamin C—historically harvested during World War II to make rose hip syrup as a nutritional supplement when citrus imports were unavailable
- •The plant's thorny stems provide excellent nesting habitat and protection for birds including blackbirds, robins, and wrens
- •Rosa canina has been used in traditional herbal medicine for centuries and remains popular in modern herbal teas and supplements
- •The species is the wild ancestor of many cultivated garden roses and contributes significantly to UK hedge and countryside aesthetics in autumn with its vibrant hips
- •Dog Rose leaves can be affected by the fungal disease black spot, and the plant serves as an important genetic resource for breeding disease-resistant ornamental roses
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