Apple Rose
Rosa villosa
- Native to:
- Albania, Austria, Baleares, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia-Slovakia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Krym, Netherlands, North Caucasus, NW. Balkan Pen., Poland, Romania, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Transcaucasus, Türkiye, Ukraine
Manfred Heyde
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Rosaceae
- Genus:
- Rosa
- Species:
- Rosa villosa
- USDA Symbol:
- ROVI80
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Subshrub
- Height:
- 250 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul
- Bloom Colors:
- pink
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★★★ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Menesta tortriciformella, Stigmella villosella, Tischeria aenea
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, bees, small mammals
- Fragrant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- prefers calcareous soils in native habitats
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 90–120 days
- Germination Time:
- 30–365 days
- Notes:
- Germination can be slow and erratic; seeds may take up to a year or more. Fresh seed germinates more readily.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Use repeated cycles of 20°C, then 4°C for 3 months each. Germination is very prolonged. 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