Virginia Rose - Rosa virginiana

Phonetic: ROH-sah ver-jin-ee-AY-nah

Shrubs larger than 1 gallon can not be shipped.

Most shrubs will not be ready before the first week of June when they are fully leafed out.

1 Gallon Pot- 15-18'' Shrub

2 Gallon Pot - 24" Shrub

Virginia Rose is a woody perennial suckering shrub and grows 4-6 feet tall. It is the best of the native roses to grow in the garden. It has pink open flowers in June to Aug. and the stems have numerous hooked prickles. It likes full sun, is easy to transplant, and prefers well-drained acidic soils but is adaptable. The fall color is lovely. This medium-stature native rose features abundant, open blooms easily accessible to a variety of pollinators and beautiful to observe. These are followed by deep red hips that persist into fall and winter. 

• Hardiness Zone:  3-8
• Native Northeast Region: BONAP Map
• BONAP Map Key Color Guide: Map Color Key
• Sun Exposure:  Full to partial sun
• Flower Color: Pink
• Bloom Time: June, July, August
• Soil Type: Medium to Dry
• Mature Plant Size: 4-6' Height, 4-6' Width
• Plant Spacing:  4'
• Host Plant:  Polyphemus moth
• Attracts:  Birds, Butterflies
• Advantages:  Easy to grow, Salt tolerant
• Landscape Uses:  Coastal garden, roadside
• Companion Plants:  Lance Leaf Coreopsis, Black Eyed Susan, Little Blue Stem
• Deer Resistant

How To Plant And Care For Virginia Rose

Virginia Rose is a hardy shrub that can adapt to many garden settings when given the right start. Planting and caring for this native perennial is easy:

• Dig a hole slightly wider than the plant’s root system and place the shrub at the same depth it was growing in its container.
• Water thoroughly after planting to help settle the soil around the roots.
• Keep the soil consistently moist during the first growing season while the plant matures.
• Apply a layer of mulch around the base to help retain moisture and reduce weed competition.

Like many native perennials, it takes its time to develop a strong root system before fully growing. You might need to prune it sometimes to help maintain its shape and encourage healthy new growth, but once established, Virginia Rose is a resilient shrub that requires minimal maintenance.

Choose organically grown native plants from Bagley Pond Perennials today. For more questions, reach out to us for answers.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Virginia Rose live?

With suitable growing conditions, Virginia Rose can last a long time in your landscape, often producing new growth from its root system.

Is Virginia Rose suitable for coastal gardens?

Yes. It is salt-tolerant, meaning it can survive in coastal landscapes.

Does it need fertilizer every year?

It typically does not require regular fertilizing once established. Too much fertilizer can encourage leaves to grow at the expense of the flowers and may not be good for healthy garden soil.

Does it work well in a wildlife-friendly garden design?

Yes. It works well in wildlife-focused landscapes because it provides multiple benefits throughout the year. Its flowers offer resources for pollinators, while its dense growth and rose hips can support birds and other small wildlife looking for food and shelter.

What plants grow well with Virginia Rose?

Virginia Rose pairs nicely with other drought-tolerant, sun-loving native plants, including lance leaf coreopsis and black-eyed Susan.