Burnet Rose
Rosa spinosissima · Rosaceae
📷 Velela · CC BY-SA 2.5
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around burnet rose and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Flowering
- May to June
- Adult size
- Approximately 1.80 m in height
- Growth
- Moderate
- Hardiness
- Very hardy, down to -20 °C
- Origin
- Northern Europe and Central Asia
- Soil type
- Well-drained, light
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
Rosa spinosissima flowers abundantly if well-drained soil, full sun, and moderately fertile. Prune after flowering by cutting out dead branches and weak wood.
The common mistake
Not pruning or pruning haphazardly: plant becomes old, woody, congested, and flowers poorly.
The pro's trick
In late winter, cut back the main stems by a third and reduce lateral wood hard: you'll get dense, regular flowering.
Care
Exposure
The pimpinelle rose thrives in full sun, ideally with a minimum of 6 hours of direct light per day. It tolerates partial shade but will flower less abundantly. Choose an airy location to limit fungal issues.
Watering
Water regularly during the growing period and flowering phase, keeping the soil moist but not saturated. Once established, this rose is fairly tolerant of drought. Reduce watering in autumn and winter.
Soil
Plant in well-drained soil, slightly rich in organic matter. Avoid overly heavy or excessively chalky soils. Adding compost at planting time improves rooting and future vitality.
Pruning
Carry out light pruning after flowering to maintain balanced form. Remove dead wood and crossing branches. This rose doesn't require drastic pruning; preserve its natural, slender silhouette.
Fertilizing
Apply balanced fertilizer in spring at budbreak. A second application after flowering supports overall vigor. Moderate nitrogen inputs to avoid excess foliage at the expense of flowering.
Diseases and pests
The pimpinelle rose is generally robust. Watch for powdery mildew and downy mildew in case of excessive humidity and poor air circulation. Preventive sulfur treatment may suffice; remove affected leaves as soon as they appear.
Did you know?
The pimpinelle rose is the wild ancestor of many old and modern roses. Its name evokes the pimpinelle, a herbaceous plant with small compound leaves that resemble this rose's foliage. Cultivated for centuries in Northern Europe, it symbolizes rustic elegance and remains an essential feature of romantic and naturalistic gardens.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.