Wood's wild rose
Rosa woodsii
Wood's wild rose (Rosa woodsii) is a Colorado-native shrub suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 4–6 ft tall and 4–8 ft wide, needs low to medium water, and prefers full sun. Native CO wild rose. Pink single blooms + showy rose hips. Suckers, good for naturalized areas.
Colorado nativeOn the CSU listlow to medium water4–6 ft tall and 4–8 ft wideXeric / water-wiseZones 2–3 (keep it back from the house)
Photos
- Photo 1: (c) Samuel A Schmid, PhD, PWS, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 2: no rights reserved, uploaded by Andrew Holle
- Photo 3: (c) Don Loarie, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Don Loarie
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3–9
- Water needs
- low to medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun.
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.5–8.0
- Hail tolerance
- moderate
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Firewise (defensible space)
- Zones 2–3 (keep it back from the house)
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 4–6 ft tall and 4–8 ft wide
- Planting spacing
- ~8 ft apart (6 ft for a hedge/screen)
- Growth rate
- Moderate
What it looks like, and when
- Bloom time
- late spring, early summer
- Bloom color
- pink
- Fall color
- Yellow, orange
- Foliage
- Deciduous
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- high
- Deer
- Not deer-resistant
- Colorado native
- Yes
- Native ecoregion
- foothills, montane, riparian
Things to know before you plant
- SuckersIt suckers from the base or roots, so remove shoots to keep it in bounds.
- ThornyIt is thorny, so site it away from paths, seating, and play areas.
- Messy dropIt drops messy fruit, pods, or litter, so keep it off patios, walks, and pool decks.
Common problems on the Front Range
- Aphids
- Powdery mildew and blackspot
- Japanese beetle
These are general tendencies for this group of plants on the Front Range, not a diagnosis. Many are stress-driven and preventable with good siting and watering. For a specific plant or an active problem, consult a certified arborist or your local CSU Extension office.
Planting & establishment
Water deeply 1×/week first summer to establish. After establishment, water 1–2×/month during dry stretches.
- Fruit: wildlife (birds/wildlife).
Frequently asked questions
- Is Wood's wild rose good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Wood's wild rose is a well-suited shrub for Colorado's Front Range.
- What should I know before planting Wood's wild rose?
- The main things to know: It suckers from the base or roots, so remove shoots to keep it in bounds. It is thorny, so site it away from paths, seating, and play areas. It drops messy fruit, pods, or litter, so keep it off patios, walks, and pool decks.
- How big does Wood's wild rose get?
- It matures to about 4–6 ft tall and 4–8 ft wide.
- How far apart do I plant Wood's wild rose?
- Space Wood's wild rose about 8 ft apart for a full, natural form, or about 6 ft apart for a faster hedge or screen.
- Is Wood's wild rose hardy on the Front Range?
- Wood's wild rose is hardy in USDA 3–9. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does Wood's wild rose need?
- It needs low to medium water once established.
- How fast does Wood's wild rose grow?
- Wood's wild rose is a moderate-growing shrub. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- What color does Wood's wild rose turn in fall?
- Wood's wild rose turns yellow and orange in autumn. Fall color intensity varies with the season and site on the Front Range.
- Is Wood's wild rose native to Colorado?
- Yes. It is a Colorado native.
- Is Wood's wild rose deer-resistant?
- No. Wood's wild rose is not considered deer-resistant and may need protection where deer browse.
- Is Wood's wild rose a good firewise plant near the house?
- Wood's wild rose is suitable in defensible-space zones 2–3, best kept back from the house rather than in the area right against the structure. This is general suitability guidance based on CSU Extension firewise plant lists, not a guarantee that any plant won't burn, a well-irrigated, well-maintained plant is the goal. Follow CSU Extension defensible-space guidance and check with your local fire district before planting in the wildland-urban interface.
- Is Wood's wild rose prone to pests or disease on the Front Range?
- Wood's wild rose can be affected by aphids and other issues common to this group on the Front Range. These are general tendencies, not a diagnosis, many are stress-driven and preventable with good siting and watering. For a specific plant or an active problem, consult a certified arborist or CSU Extension.
