Rosa sherardii
Davies
Sherard's Downy-rose
iNaturalist· cc-by
(c) Tom Norton, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Tom Norton
iNaturalist· cc-by
(c) Tom Norton, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Tom Norton
iNaturalist· cc-by
(c) Tom Norton, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Tom Norton
Summary
Source: WikipediaRosa sherardii (syn. Rosa omissa), the northern downy rose or Sherard's downy-rose, is a species of flowering plant in the family Rosaceae. A shrub reaching 2 m (7 ft), it is native to cooler parts of Europe, and has been introduced to the US state of Vermont. In the garden it prefers a sheltered location in full sun with moist but well-drained soil. More compact than Rosa tomentosa, its grey-leaved form in particular is considered under-represented in cultivation.
Description
A dense shrub. It grows 2 m high and spreads 1.8 m wide. It loses its leaves during the year. The leaves are bluish-green and hairy. The flowers are single and deep pink. They are in clusters. The fruit are urn shaped hips and are red.
Edible Uses
The fruit can be eaten raw or cooked and is rich in vitamin C. It is about 20mm in diameter, but only a thin layer of flesh surrounds the many seeds — care should be taken when eating it. The seeds are a good source of vitamin E; they can be ground into a powder and blended with flour or added to other foods as a nutritional supplement. Always remove the seed hairs before use.
Medicinal Uses
The fruit of this genus is a very rich source of vitamins and minerals, particularly vitamins A, C, and E, along with flavonoids and other bio-active compounds. It also provides a fairly good supply of essential fatty acids, which is unusual for a fruit. It is being investigated for its potential to reduce the incidence of cancer and to halt or reverse tumour growth.
Known Hazards
There is a layer of hairs around the seeds just beneath the flesh of the fruit. These hairs can cause irritation to the mouth and digestive tract if ingested.
Distribution
It suits hardiness zones 5-9.
Where It Grows
Australia, Britain, Europe,
Cultivation
Succeeds in most soils, preferring a circumneutral soil and a sunny position. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Dislikes water-logged soils. Grows well with alliums, parsley, mignonette and lupins. Garlic planted nearby can help protect the plant from disease and insect predation. Grows badly with boxwood. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus.
Propagation
Rose seed frequently takes two years to germinate, as it may require a warm period following a cold spell to mature the embryo and break down the seedcoat. One approach to shorten this is to scarify the seed, then place it in damp peat at 27–32°c for 2–3 weeks to allow imbibition, followed by 4 months at 3°c, after which germination should begin. Seed harvested green — fully developed but not yet dried on the plant — and sown immediately may germinate in late winter, though this method had not been fully tested as of 1988. Seed sown fresh into a cold frame sometimes germinates in spring but may take 18 months. Stored seed should be sown as early in the year as possible and stratified for 6 weeks at 5°c; it may still take 2 years to germinate. Prick out seedlings into individual pots when large enough to handle, and plant out in summer if they exceed 25cm, or overwinter in a cold frame and plant out in late spring. Half-ripe cuttings with a heel taken in July in a shaded frame and overwintered before planting out give a high success rate. Pencil-thick cuttings of mature current-season wood, 20–25cm long, taken in early autumn and placed in a sheltered spot outdoors or in a cold frame, typically take 12 months to establish but succeed at a high rate. Suckers can be divided during dormancy and planted directly into permanent positions. Layering also works but takes 12 months.
Other Uses
None known.
Notes
There are about 150 Rosa species and many cultivated varieties.
Synonyms
References (3)
- Cundall, P., (ed.), 2004, Gardening Australia: flora: the gardener's bible. ABC Books. p 1218
- Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
- Welsh botanology 1:49. 1813
