Wood's Rose, Mountain Rose

Sun Exposure: Moderate shade to full sun

Origin: Northern America: Minnesota west and northwest to Alaska and British Columbia, south to Arizona, northern Mexico and western Texas and north to western Kansas and North Dakota along rivers and creeks

Growth Habits: Long-lived perennial bushy shrub, up to 5 feet tall (1.5 m)

Propagation: Hardwood cuttings, seeds

Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. Illustrated flora of the northern states and Canada. Vol. 2: 284.

The Wood's Rose is one of the most frequent native rose in northern America. Native americans made extensive use of Wood's rose roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and hips for foods and therapeutic materials. The hips are a source of vitamin C and are dried for use in flavoring teas, jellies, fruitcakes, and puddings. The flowers provide a source of pollen for honey bees. Wood's rose is used as an ornamental near homes to attract birds and other wildlife.

Blooming Habits:
Rosa woodsii blooms from late spring to early summer. The flowers are strongly scented, around 2 inches across (5 cm), with 5 petals. The rose hips stay on the plant until winter.

Culture:
The Wood's Rose is susceptible to various leaf spots, as well as to leaf rusts, gray mold, powdery mildew, common gall, and stem cankers.