Rosa canina - Dog Rose The familiar and much-loved dog rose of our hedgerows and woodland edges, Rosa canina is a vigorous, scrambling, suckering, deciduous shrub with arching green stems armed with curved thorns to help it climb. The mid-green leaves are divided into 7 leaflets. The lightly scented, five-petalled flowers, 2-3”/5cm across, come in shades from white to candy-pink with golden stamens, and are borne from June to August. They are followed by orange-red hips which are very rich in Vitamin C, but also contain irritant hairs, once used by bold children as a rustic itching-powder. The dog rose is lovely planted in a hedge or up a tree, and, where there is space, will make a fast-growing, impenetrable hedge. A good plant for pollinators and birds. Site: Tolerates exposureSoil: Any well-drained soil, preferably humus-richPosition: Full sun or partial shadeSeason of interest: Summer and autumnHardiness: Fully hardyHeight: 16’ (5m) Spread: 6’6” (2m)