Rosa glauca

single pink species rose

  • © Great Plant Picks

  • © Richie Steffen / Great Plant Picks

  • © Richie Steffen / Great Plant Picks

Outstanding Qualities

This species rose features glaucous purplish gray-green foliage resistant to black spot. Small clusters of single pink flowers with gold centers cover this deciduous shrub in late spring and early summer. In autumn, scarlet hips provide late season interest in addition to attracting wildlife.This handsome rose, grown for its blue-purple leaves, should be included in every garden. Grow it with Geranium himalayense 'Baby Blue', Helictotrichon sempervirens, Aster lateriflorus 'Prince', Allium christophii, and Diascia vigilis 'Jack Elliott' for a grouping that is attractive in spring, summer, and fall.

Quick Facts

Plant Type: shrub

Foliage Type: deciduous

Plant Height (10-year): 5 ft. 0 in. (1.52 meters)

Plant Width/Spread (10-year): 6 ft. 0 in. (1.83 meters)

Plant Height-Mature: 8 ft. 0 in. (2.44 meters)

Plant Width-Mature: 9 ft. 0 in. (2.74 meters)

Hardiness: USDA Zones 6 to 9

Flower Color: pink

Flowering Time: spring

Sun/Light Exposure: full sun

Water Requirements: drought tolerant when established, but appreciates occasional watering

Seasonal Interest: distinctive foliage spring through fall, pink flowers in summer

Wildlife Associations: bees

Culture Notes

This tough shrub rose thrives in well-drained or sandy soil. Once established it is drought tolerant, but it appreciates occasional watering during dry weather. The most vigorous growth is in full sun. The small flowers are pleasant, but the foliage is beautiful and showy. This rose can be pruned to the ground every two to three years to encourage robust tall canes with the best foliage. It has excellent disease resistance. Pruning can be done in early spring.

Geek Notes

synonym Rosa rubrifolia. medium pink. single. thornless. intro 1789.