Rosa gymnocarpa

Common Names

Baldhip Rose, Wood Rose, Dwarf Rose, Little Wild Rose

Summary

Baldhip rose (Rosa gymnocarpa) is a western North American deciduous shrub native to moist to dry shaded forests and forest edges, typically growing 2–6 ft tall with slender, spiny stems and alternate, pinnately compound leaves of 5–9 leaflets. Flowers appear in late spring to early summer as small, pink to pale pink, fragrant blossoms at branch ends; following flowering, bright red to orange hips persist through winter. The sepals fall away from the hips, yielding bald hips that give the common name Baldhip rose; the plant spreads by rhizomes and can form habitat thickets, supporting wildlife and shelter for other species.

In cultivation, it tolerates full sun to partial shade and moist to well-drained soils, with drought tolerance once established; it is suitable for woodland, wildlife, or habitat hedgerows and can be used for shade gardens or dry shade settings. Propagation is by seed, which may require stratification (approximately 90 days) for germination, or by dividing the root crown or rhizomes; flowers attract bees and butterflies, and hips feed birds and small mammals through winter. Hips and flowers add seasonal interest, and hardiness is typically in USDA zones 5–9.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

12 inches-5 feet

Spread

6-8 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 5a-9b

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally Partial Shade; tolerates Full Sun, Partial Shade, and Full Shade.

Soil Type

Moist, well-drained soil with a neutral to circumneutral pH.

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soil

Soil pH

6-8, near neutral to mildly alkaline soils

Bloom Color

Pink

Bloom Time

Spring and Summer

Foliage Color

Green

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Slow-growing

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings, Division, Layering

Attracts Wildlife

Bees, butterflies, birds