Rosa canina
Not
every garden is large enough to accommodate
our larger native  trees.
But don’t be discouraged; there are many
small trees and shrubs that are suitable for
the smaller garden. Small trees and shrubs are
easy to manage (they can be left to grow or
cut back); they make the perfect living boundary
and still provide a home for an amazing array
of animals and insects.
(photo: WTPL/Peter Paice from
Belfast)
This
month, the Woodland Trust invites you to take
a closer look at a particularly pretty shrub
– Rosa canina, better known as dog rose.
This wild rose, usually associated with old
hedgerows, is one definitely worth considering
for even the smallest garden. It’s an
upright shrub, with long and prickly stems.
In May and June, the dog rose will brighten
up the dullest of surroundings and will add
colour to your garden with a mass of delicate
flowers. These large, beautiful flowers are
scented and can vary in colour from pink to
white.
 By
September, the dog rose offers its ripe fruit
– our well-known rose-hips. The scarlet
rose-hips bring wonderful autumn colour. Phenology
recorders look out for the first signs of the
ripe, red berries! Small birds will thank you
for the seeds contained within the rose-hips;
they have an apparent ability to extract the
seeds, despite the tiny, protective hairs within
the hip.
(photo: WTPL/Peter Paice from
Belfast)
Did
you know that the rose-hip flesh is a good source
of vitamin C? The more adventurous among us
may wish to collect the hips to make syrup or
wine.
Plant
your dog rose between November and March and
ideally in a heavy soil. In return, you’ll
be thrilled with the beautiful summer bloom
and striking autumn fruit. A perfect and unquestionably
pretty addition to your wildlife haven!
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