Prickly Wild Rose is a native, deciduous shrub rose well adapted to Prairie climates and commonly found across Saskatchewan. It forms a dense, thicket-like shrub with slender stems heavily armed with fine, needle-sharp prickles. In early to mid-summer, it produces single, fragrant pink flowers with yellow centers that attract pollinators. These are followed by bright red rose hips in late summer and fall, which persist into winter and provide valuable food for wildlife. Foliage is medium green and finely textured, turning yellow in autumn. Its toughness, cold hardiness, and natural form make it ideal for naturalized plantings, restoration sites, and shelterbelts.
- Size: Height: 3–6 ft (0.9–1.8 m). Spread: 3–6 ft (0.9–1.8 m). Habit: Upright to spreading, suckering shrub forming colonies
- Hardiness: Extremely cold hardy; native to Zone 2 and colder
- Light: Full sun to light shade; best flowering in full sun
- Soil: Adaptable; grows in sandy, loamy, or clay soils, including poorer sites
- Water: Low to moderate; drought tolerant once established
- Pruning: Minimal; remove dead or damaged wood in early spring if needed
- Maintenance: Very low; spreads naturally by suckers
- Wildlife Value: Excellent for pollinators, birds, and small mammals; hips provide winter food
- Use: Ideal for naturalized areas, erosion control, hedgerows, and native plant gardens