A hedge of rugosa roses?

14 years ago

Hello, has anyone a hedge of Rugosas ?

I would like to know if they are a reliable choice for a hedge.

I need a completely carefree hedge of about 6-7 feet height (180-200cm), that does NOT require pruning as it will be very very long... and I already have too much to do.

I live in a rainy area, so water is not a problem and I know that rugosas are tough guys.

Pictures of such a hedge would be very welcomed!!

Thanks :-)

PS: I mean the botanical red and white rugosas ("R. alba" and "R. rubra"), not fancy hybrids.

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the_morden_man

14 years ago

Sorry for the delay, but I was busy and then of course, this hopeless site was down yet again and this post was not to be found.

Unfortunately, I do not have any recent pics in the last 2 years. The hedge shown in the pics is left completely uncared for and has not been pruned now for what is their 4th year. The roses are now 6' high and are a very dense thicket.

This is a hedge of Purple Pavement and White Pavement over an area of about 60-70'.

Pic of area after initial planting in 2006.
{{gwi:268968}}

Beginning of flush in 2nd year, 2007.
{{gwi:268969}}

These are Rosaraie De L'Hay and Henry Hudson in a raised bed made of railway ties.

If I were to do a really large purple and white Rugosa Hedge, I'd do Rosaraie de L'Hay and Blanc Double De Coubert.

Hope this helps and good luck.

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Comments (8)

jerijen
14 years ago
I do not, but I have seen it done in two locations.

At The Hermitage, near Nashville (where I hope all is well) there is a hedge of red rugosa roses which is formally clipped. It runs for what seems like a mile or more, across rolling green lawn, and is quite lovely.

At Shore Acres Park, in Oregon, a big informal hedge of rugosas separates the parking area from the edge of the garden, making a visual barrier between the two. It appears that they allow it to grow very tall, and it's both attractive and effective.

Conditions in much of Oregon really favor rugosas.
They don't do well in my part of California.

Jeri
catsrose
14 years ago
I don't have a full scale hedge, but I did plant R alba& rubra side by side in an area along the driveway where they can sucker to their hearts content, Alba is about a foot taller, but neitherbgets to 7.' They have grown together nicely and I can easily envision a whole mile of one or the other or both. I would give them a bit more room to start than I did. Mine started off about 4' apart and I'd now make it closer 6 or 7. Mine started as bands five years ago and are now solid.

I also have a stretch along my front drive that is all rugosas, but no two the same. Of the lot of them Will Alderman is the most beautiful, first to bloom, very tough, and nicely shaped. He doesn't sucker much at all and gets over 6' but he doesn't stay dense enough at the bottom for a true block hedge.
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the_morden_man
14 years ago
Yes, I do. One long bed (60-70' long) of alternated Purple Pavement and Snow Pavement Rugosa's. They are planted up part of a driveway and on a bank. They were picked as the Pavement series sucker aggressively and spread on their own roots so they fill in areas very quickly and create a dense impenetrable thicket. I will find the pics for you tonight from 2 years or so ago and post them up.This bed has never been pruned and maintained. The only pruning they ever get is with the riding mower when the suckers reach into the grass. The hedge is now about 6-7' tall after 3 years and impenetrable.

Also have a long hedge of mixed Rugosas planted in a raised bed made of stacked railway ties(sp?). I'll see if I can find a pic of that too.

You can make a hedge with the species Rugosas, but many of the hybrids are also more than capable, just as hardy and disease resistant and overall, better bloomers over a long season. Don't discount the hybrid Rugosas as they are usually better plants than the species, Rubra and Alba for garden/bloom performance.
york_rose
14 years ago
When I lived in the Philadelphia area I had a hedge of the regular species that was wonderful for a few years and then out of the blue the leaves at the tips of the canes wilted, a cane at a time, then after the canes' tips wilted the rest of the canes died (a cane at a time). Ultimately there were only a few canes left competing with other brambles that had invaded.

I suspect they succumbed to some sort of vascular or root blight, but I never did learn what it was (except that I'm certain it wasn't an insect).

:(
lovemysheltie
14 years ago
I'm glad I read this because I am thinking of doing a hedge of Therese Bugnets right next to my driveway! Morden Man, your hedges are so pretty!!
the_morden_man
14 years ago
These are actually my Mom's hedges. I'm just the hired help. I work exclsuively for her great home cooking and copious amounts of red wine. :)

I only wish I had the 5 acres she has to play with...so I live through her vicariously. :)
the_morden_man
14 years ago
LoveMySheltie,

Oh, forgot to add, Therse Bugnet will not make a good hedge rose. It grows way too upright for that purpose. You need rugosa's or roses that tend to grow in a rounder and well foilaged, bushier shape. I love Therese Bugnet, but a hedge rose she is not. It will also exacerbate her slight susceptibility for powdery mildew.

Good Luck.

A hedge of rugosa roses?

the_morden_man

Comments (8)

jerijen

catsrose

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