Blooms Transferred to Hip Region: Report Details Flower Placement.

Roses, known for their enchanting blooms, also produce hips that transform into eye-catching spectacles in early autumn, often persisting into winter. Gardeners typically trim off spent blossoms to encourage new flower growth, but leaving some unattended can result in a vibrant display of hips.

Species roses make excellent choices for those seeking hips, as they can be planted as standalone specimens or hedges in wilder sections of the garden. Rambler and climbing roses are also suitable options, as their flower trusses turn into substantial crops of hips.

Roses belong to the same family as apples, which explains the edible nature of their hips, bearing a mild tartness similar to crab apples. These hips are rich in vitamin C, boasting levels up to ten times higher than oranges. The optimal time to harvest hips is shortly after the first frosts have softened them, while they remain firm and vibrant in color. Keep in mind that some hips should be left for birds to enjoy.

Here are eight rose varieties that excel in hip production:

Wild Dog Rose (Rosa canina): This common hedgerow shrub produces large, flavorful hips that birds adore, along with white to pale pink flowers in early summer. It reaches heights of 3 meters with a spread of 1.5 meters.
Rambler Rose 'Kiftsgate': This rampant rambler boasts masses of orange-red hips and fragrant, creamy-white, single flowers. Ideal for growth over large trees or buildings, it can reach heights of 10 meters and a spread of 6 meters.
Shrub Rose 'Fru Dagmar Hastrup': Known for its small, orange-red hips resembling cherry tomatoes, this sturdy shrub rose erupts with pale pink, clove-scented flowers in summer. It grows to a height of 1 meter with a spread of 1.2 meters.
Climber Rose 'Madame Grégoire Staechelin': This glorious climber features huge hips that transition from yellow to pinkish-red, emerging from double, pale pink flowers in May. Despite being prone to fungal disease, its striking beauty makes it an appealing choice. It grows to heights of 6 meters with a spread of 4 meters.
Species Shrub Rose 'Rosa moyesii': Exhibiting elegant urn-shaped orange-red hips and arching stems, this species shrub rose serves as a striking addition to borders. It produces single, pink or striking dark red flowers in summer and reaches heights of 4 meters with a spread of 3 meters.
Rugosa Rose 'Alba': This robust dog rose offers shiny cherry-tomato hips and healthy foliage, making it an excellent choice for hedging. Its scented white blooms open from pink buds and reach heights and spreads of 2 meters.
Species Shrub Rose 'Rosa setipoda': Bristly urn-shaped, dark red hips adorn the arching stems of this rose, creating a striking autumnal feature. During summer, it bears large clusters of pale pink flowers. It grows to heights and spreads of 2 meters.
Scotch Rose (Rosa spinosissima): Often characterized as charming but very prickly, this species rose yields purplish-black hips following white, early summer flowers. It grows to heights of 1 meter with a spread of 1.2 meters.

These rose varieties are perfect for gardens seeking a beautiful balance between ornamental appeal and edible hips.

[1] Wild Hedge Roses: Dog Rose (Rosa canina), Field Rose (Rosa arvensis), Sweet Briar (Rosa rubiginosa), Scotch Burnet Rose (Rosa pimpinellifolia) – all are popular for the quality and flavor of their hips.[3] Rosa Glauca – a hardy and attractive species rose that self-sows hips to generate new plants resembling the parent.[4] Rugosa Roses – known for their large, fleshy hips with a mild, fruity taste and high vitamin C content, ideal for culinary use and pleasing to the eye in autumn.[5] Rugosa Roses – valued for their hips' rich vitamin C content, their mild, fruity taste, and their attractive appeal during autumn.

For those interested in both home-and-garden and lifestyle, Wild Hedge Roses, such as Dog Rose (Rosa canina), Field Rose (Rosa arvensis), Sweet Briar (Rosa rubiginosa), and Scotch Burnet Rose (Rosa pimpinellifolia), are popular choices due to the quality and flavor of their hips.
Incorporating holistic lifestyle practices into gardening, Species Roses like Rosa Glauca, Rugosa Roses, and Scotch Rose (Rosa spinosissima) not only serve as attractive additions to any home-and-garden but also yield edible hips rich in vitamin C, offering a bounty for both food and visual appeal during autumn.