New and clueless: rosebush?

Hi all.

I have just moved into a house with a lovely garden with what I assume are roses of some description. Can anyone tell me what they are, if I need to do anything with them etc. they look like they were pruned last year. I'm pretty clueless.

Thanks in advance

 

Welcome to GC Hellzbellz. Your roses are of the 'Rugosa' family and unlike shrub roses need very little if any pruning, may be just to tidy up when necessary. They are good as individual specimens and even better used as hedging. Rugosa's are hardy and will do well in all types of soil without the necessary continuous feeding of other varieties, although a spring feed would help keep them healthy. You may find they grow suckers in your lawn but they can be mowed off when they appear.

 

Wow.

Thanks for the reply. I probably have about 12 or 15 of these plants. Had to tackle some seriously overgrown bluebells in the borders the bushes are in. I was a bit worried about damaging the roots but from what I have briefly read they are pretty hardy things.

I read that they flower in June but I can't see any buds or suchlike yet.???

I also have several other roses dotted about in borders and pots so I will be back when and if they flower to try and identify them.

Thanks again

H

 

Certainly looks like the hedge rose that usually has a mauve single bloom.

 

to GC you've come to the right place for help and advice .
Hope your settled into your new home and good luck with your garden project
will look forward to watching your progress

 

I don't normally look at Rose ID posts, but this is one of the few Roses I know (other than wild Dog Rose) as the hips are ideal for homemade wine, jelly or syrup. By freezing (de-seeded to save freezer space?) hips/making syrup you can then use the edible flowers in the following year to make fragrant jellies or wine.

 

Ooh, I am all about edible. I had an allotment for a while and love growing veg in my garden but I'm a bit clueless when it comes to flowers etc.

When is the best time to pick the hips? I remember kids using them to torment each other as itching powder when I was at school.

Thanks again

H