Dog Rose
Rosa canina
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Pl. 9671 — Rosa canina
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IOverview
Overview
Dog Rose (Rosa canina) is a vine-like shrub native to a wide range of regions including parts of Europe and Asia, such as Afghanistan, Albania, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, and many others listed in its extensive native range. This plant is known for its ornamental value and practical uses, with its light pink or white flowers and edible fruits, commonly known as rose hips, which are rich in vitamin C. The rose hips can be used to make jams, syrups, and teas. Medicinally, the plant has been recognized for its ability to promote better sleep when consumed as a mild sedative in the form of a tisane made from its hips. Dog Rose thrives in moist, wet conditions with light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay) soil, showing hardiness in zones 3-7 and reaching heights up to 3 meters. It prefers a pH of 5.5–6.5 and can grow in a variety of environments, making it adaptable to different cultivation contexts. While it can be propagated through cuttings or seeds, it is important to provide it with plenty of light but avoid direct sunlight, especially during the hottest parts of the day. The dog rose is a versatile plant with both culinary and medicinal applications, making it a valuable addition to gardens and landscapes.
Quick answers
What is Dog Rose?
Dog Rose (Rosa canina) is a vine-like shrub native to a wide range of regions including parts of Europe and Asia, such as Afghanistan, Albania, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, and many others listed in its extensive native range.
What is Dog Rose used for?
Traditionally used for better sleep. Each claim is evidence-rated — see Section II for full citations.
Best for
Top 1 evidence-ranked use of Dog Rose
Clinicaluses · safety · chemistry · dosagemedicinal profile
IIBenefits & evidence
1 claim · traditional-use context
Benefits & evidence
1 claim · traditional-use contextTraditional-use context
These notes are presented as ethnobotanical context. No cited clinical references are catalogued for this plant yet.
- Traditional use: rose hips evening tisane — mild sedative + nutritive. Safe across the lifespan.
Vitamin C + polyphenols + relaxant aroma
▲ LimitedBetter sleep →
IV·bMixology suggestions
2 drafts
Mixology suggestions
2 draftsEditorial drafts. These pairings are AI-suggested from traditional herbal lore. Always verify with a qualified herbalist before brewing.
Digestive Ease
digestiontincture
Historically used for digestive support.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Dog Rose thrives in moist to wet conditions with light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay) soils, preferring a pH of 5.5–6.5. It is hardy in temperate regions from zones 3-7 and can grow up to 3 meters as a vine or subshrub. Provide it with plenty of light but avoid direct sunlight, especially during the hottest parts of the day. For propagation, use cuttings or seeds. Harvest edible parts such as flowers, fruit, and seeds when ripe.
Light
7/10
Water
Moist, Wet
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
3-7
Habit
Vine, Subshrub
Mature size
3.0 m tall
Soil pH
5.5–6.5
For first-time growers
How to grow Dog Rose for the first time
8steps
Start with a simple Dog Rose plant and focus on basic care.
- 1
What you'll need
A young Dog Rose plant, garden gloves, and a trowel.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in spring or early fall when the weather is mild.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Choose a spot with moist, well-draining soil. Ensure the pH is between 5.5 and 6.5.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Transplant young plants in early spring or fall. Dig a hole twice as wide but not deeper than the root ball.
- 5
First two weeks
Water regularly to keep the soil moist, especially during dry spells.
- 6
Ongoing care
Prune in late winter to maintain shape and remove dead or weak branches. Watch for pests like aphids.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune regularly to encourage healthy growth and remove any damaged or diseased parts.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, not providing enough support, and neglecting winter protection are common issues.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:FlowersFruitSeed
Edible uses: Coffee, Tea
Other uses:HedgerowFragrance
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
57 native · 50 introduced
Distribution
57 native · 50 introducedDistribution across3 continents· 57 native· 50 introduced
Europe25 regions
native (25)AlbaniaAustriaBelarusBelgiumBulgariaCyprusDenmarkFinlandFranceGermanyGreeceHungaryIrelandItalyNetherlandsNorwayPolandPortugalRomaniaRussiaSpainSwedenSwitzerlandUkraineUnited Kingdom
Asia9 regions
native (9)AfghanistanIranIraqKazakhstanPakistanPalestineTurkeyTurkmenistanUzbekistan
Africa3 regions
native (3)AlgeriaMoroccoTunisia
Broader regions
native:Baltic States, Czechoslovakia, East Aegean Is., Kirgizstan, Kriti, Lebanon-Syria, Tadzhikistan, Transcaucasus, Turkey-in-Europe, Yugoslavia
introduced:Alabama, Argentina South, Arizona, Arkansas, British Columbia, California, Chile Central, Chile South, Colorado, Connecticut, Falkland Is., Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Masachusettes, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Brunswick, New Mexico, New South Wales, New York, New Zealand North, New Zealand South, Newfoundland, North Carolina, Nova Scotia, Ohio, Ontario, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Primorye, Québec, Queensland, Rhode I., South Australia, Tasmania, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXSee also
8 related
See also
8 relatedPlants you might compare or use together — scored by shared family, common use cases, and growing requirements.
shared use cases
Different families, similar therapeutic role — good for comparing.
XI
Explore further
Companion planting
Health goals
Compare with similar plants
Growing zone
Native to
XII
About this entry
- Last updated
- Citation
- How to cite this entry · Submit a correction
Back to the cataloguePlant id · 96711c6c-de49-41ea-a27f-d2ee060aad11
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