Whitewoolly Rose

Rosa tomentosa

Native to:
Albania, Austria, Baleares, Baltic States, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Krym, Netherlands, North Caucasus, NW. Balkan Pen., Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Sicilia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Transcaucasus, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe, Ukraine

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Rosaceae
Genus:
Rosa
Species:
Rosa tomentosa
USDA Symbol:
ROTO

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Subshrub
Height:
300 cm
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
Medium
Bloom Months:
jun,jul
Bloom Colors:
pink, white
Landscaping Shrub:
Yes

Wildlife Benefits

Bees:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)

Keystone Species Ranking

Caterpillar Keystone:
★★★★★ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
birds, bees, small mammals
Fragrant:
Yes

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
rich, well-drained loamy soil
pH:
5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
dry to moderate
Notes:
prefers calcareous soils in native habitat

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
Cold/moist stratification required — 90–120 days
Germination Time:
30–365 days
Notes:
Seeds may take up to a year to germinate; cold stratification improves germination rates significantly.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI

ORGHPS Germination Guide: Requires scarification. Nick or rub between sheets of sandpaper. Requires soaking. Place in warm water until seeds swell, usually 24-48 hours. Discard water and any seeds that remain floating. Pulpy coat inhibits germination. Remove by soaking and rinsing in clean water for approximately 7 days. Discard water. * soak in hot water for 24 hours to scarify; plant at 32°C for 2-3 weeks, then 4°C for 4 months

Source: Ontario Rock Garden & Hardy Plant Society