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Climbing Prairie Rose

Q: I am in zone 4, will I be able to grow this as a hedge or will it die back in the winter?

Within its native range Rosa setigera does not die back in the winter. However, much of Zone 4 is North of this plants native range, and harsher winters in Zone 4 can cause die-back.

Rosa setigera

Cimbing Prairie Rose has fragrant clusters of deep pink flowers, two inches in diameter, blooming from early to midsummer. The dark green foliage turns attractive shades of deep red and purple in autumn …

More Detail

Plants 1 Gallon Pot

1+ $29.99 ea.

Availability: In stock

SKU

37940-GL

Cultural Details
Soil Type	Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil Moisture	Dry, Medium, Moist
Sun Exposure	Full Sun, Partial
Height	4' - 15'
Bloom Color	Pink
Bloom Time	June, July
Spacing	18" - 2'
Zones	3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Root Type	Taproot
Benefits	Birds, Pollinators, Host Plant

Description

Climbing Prairie Rose has fragrant clusters of deep pink flowers, two inches in diameter, blooming from early to midsummer. The dark green foliage turns attractive shades of deep red and purple in autumn. This great native rose is actually a shrub with vine-like characteristics and can be either trailing or climbing, to form a hedge. Naturally mounding up to 4' tall, it can be grown to cover a fence or a trellis, where it may be trained to climb, up to 15 feet tall with support. While it is a versatile and remarkably beautiful rose, it is large and fast growing. In a smaller garden setting, the placement, design, and maintenance strategy will need some consideration.

An excellent substitute for the invasive, non-native Multiflora Rose, Rosa setigera prefers a site with good sunlight exposure (at least 6 hours a day). It does well in all types of soil, as long as there is sufficient sunlight. Partial shade is tolerated, but their will be relatively fewer blooms. This is a fast-growing shrub and "blooms on new wood:" the blooms occur on the fresh growth that is produced each spring. Renewal pruning can be done every three years.

Native roses are visited by an array of pollinating insects, as they have easy access to pollen from the large-petalled landing pads. Rosa setigera is a possible host plant for several different Sphinx moths, the Auotmeris Io and Cecropia moth.

Planting and Cultivation Notes

Rosa setigera is a "mostly" a dioecious species and produces male and female flowers on separate plants. However, it is known to produce some rosehips on a single plant. If abundant rosehips production is needed, we recommended at least 3 plants, installed in fairly close proximity. This will help ensure the presence of both sexes and good seed (rosehip) production. The sex of our plants is not determined prior to shipment.

Range Map

Present in state
Present in county and native
Present in county, but introduced
Not present in state

Present and rare, native in county
Previously present, now locally extinct
State or county listed as noxious
Present in state, exotic

Native plants can be grown outside of their native range in the appropriate growing conditions. This map shows the native range, as well as the introduced range, of this species.

Shipping

PLANT SHIPPING

Plant Shipping Rates: Plant orders of $50.00 and under, add $9.95 shipping charge. Plant orders over $50.00, add 18% of the total plant cost.
We ship plants in the spring, and in the fall, during our plant-shipping periods. Fall plant-shipping begins on September 11, 2023, and the last day to order plants for fall shipment is October 1, 2023.
During checkout, you will choose a Shipping Week for your plant delivery, from the dates that are available. The week that you choose will be included in your order confirmation email. When your plants have shipped you will receive another email that includes tracking information.

GENERAL SHIPPING INFORMATION

We are not able to combine a new order with a previous order, for shipping.
Plants and Seeds are shipped separately and have different shipping rates.
We are not able to arrange orders for pick-up at the Nursery. All orders are shipped.

RESTRICTIONS

Plants and Seeds are shipped within the contiguous United States, only.
Due to agricultural restrictions we no longer ship to the following states: Idaho, Utah.

Questions (11)

Product Questions

What size is this shrub when shipped?

Our potted shrubs are between 1' and 2' high when shipped. The root is well developed and the plants have established branching. This shrub is in a one gallon (or #1) container, which is approximately 7" deep x 6.5" wide at the top.

Will I receive male or a female plants?

The dioecious shrubs that we offer are unsexed. The sex of the plants has not been determined at the time of shipment.

If I cut the blooms back after the petals have fallen, will it rebloom?

Native roses do not bloom all season long, as do some modern cultivars, and typically bloom in spring or early summer. Rosa setigera blooms in midsummer, a little later than most native roses. Deadheading (removal of old blooms) will not necessarily extend the bloom season, but instead it may reduce the production of rose hips.

Should this shrub be planted in spring or fall?

This shrub can be successfully planted in either spring or fall. See Tips for Planting in Fall for more informtation about planting perennials (including shrubs) in the fall. Information on How to Plant Shrubs is also available in our Resource & Guides pages.

Do you know if this rose attracts japanese beetles in Colorado?

Japanese beetles are said to favor roses. If you have japanese beetles in your area, they could be attracted to the roses. "Larvae and eggs of Japanese beetle need at least 10 inches of soil moisture to thrive. Without supplemental irrigation, Colorado’s environment would not be conducive to Japanese beetle survival. However, irrigation does occur ... thereby making the pest a risk to certain areas of the state." -Colorado Dept of Agriculture Perhaps the best way to deter japanese beetles is to eliminate or greatly reduce the lawn area : "The Japanese beetle has a one-year life cycle but spends most of its life in the soil as a grub. Females lay eggs in the lawn and other grassy areas just under the soil surface in summer. They prefer to lay eggs in turf that is well-irrigated. Eggs soon hatch, and young larvae begin to feed on roots of nearby grass until cold weather forces them to move deeper into the soil for the winter. As the soil temperature warms in the spring, the grubs return to the surface to complete their life cycle." - Chicago botanic garden

Can this be planted in a large planter?

Most likely this climbing rose will outgrow the container. If you decide to try it, the pot would need to be at least 24"x24", along with a very sturdy trellis. Planting it in the ground is what we recommend.

Is this rose on the deers preferred menu?

It is not on the preferred menu, but Rosa setigera is occasionally browsed by deer.

I am in zone 4, will I be able to grow this as a hedge or will it die back in the winter?

Within its native range Rosa setigera does not die back in the winter. However, much of Zone 4 is North of this plants native range, and harsher winters in Zone 4 can cause die-back.

We are interested in just two Prairie climbing roses and we were wondering what will happen if we get two males or two females what are we missing? Thank you.

Some rosa setigera plants are male – they have flowers with stamens, and some Rosa setigera plants are female – they have flowers with pistils. If you purchase two rosa setigera plants it is possible to receive two male, or two female, plants. It is also possible to receive 1 male and 1 female plant. We don't pre-determine the sex of the plants. It does Not require both sexes to produce flowers – either male or female plants will flower profusely. However, the rosehips, which are the fruit/seed pods, will occur in greater abundance if both male and female plants are present. Rosa setigera is not strongly dioecious – any plant may have some of the opposite sex flowers on it – and so any plant is capable of setting some fruit, but it will be much less abundant.

I planted a Climbing Prairie Rose last fall and it didn't bloom this season (looks good though!) - which I expected. Can I also expect it to bloom next year, since it's had time to settle and establish?

Yes, you will see some blooms next summer, and the third year you'll see even more. Climbing Prairie Rose is a large plant and takes at least two full years to really get going.

What type of pruning do I need to do with this? I understand it blooms on new growth, so do I cut back every year?

It is not necessary to prune native wild roses, but if space is an issue they do respond well. With Climbing Prairie Rose it usually depend on where it is planted and how much space is available. In a limited space you might need to cutback every year, but if space is not an issue, it will put out new growth each year and bloom. Climbing Prairie Rose can be cutback anytime it gets too large or if blooms seem to be decreasing. Perform cutback betwen late fall to very early spring.. When the plant is dormant. Remove any damaged or very old canes at the base. Select about 5 or so young healthy canes too keep. The remaing good canes can be cut to a length of around 5 feet. Remove most all brancing from the canes. In spring, new canes will emerge and Each of the selected canes will then sprout new growth upon which the blooms will grow.

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