Rosa rubiginosa - Sweet Briar Rose

Also known as the Eglantine Rose, Sweet Briar can at first sight be mistaken for a Dog Rose. With similar flowers and foliage, the major difference between the two is that the Sweet Briar has leaves which give off a sweet apple scent, especially after rain or in humid conditions. Native to Britain, it is found in hedgerows in the south of England. Its dense, prickly habit of growth makes it a good impenetrable country garden hedge, or it can be used in mixed wildlife hedges.

Site and soil
The Sweet Briar does well on most soils except those which are very wet. It is very cold tolerant and copes well with exposed situations, coastal sites and chalky soils.

Height and spread
After 10 years: 2.5m x 2.5m
After 20 years: 2.5m x 2.5m

Leaf and bark
The leaves are mid-green, pinnate, divided into 5-7 leaflets and finely serrated at the margins. They give off a sweet fragrance, especially after rain and in humid conditions. The leaf stems are covered with small spines. The young shoots have a reddish tinge, quickly becoming smooth and green; older bark is grey.

Flower, fruit and seed
The flowers are borne singly or in clusters from May to June. They are about 3cm across, 5-petalled, pale pink, white near the base of the petals, with many yellow stamens. The fruits are oval fleshy scarlet hips enclosing the bristly seeds.

Uses
Hedges, mixed wildlife hedges. Vitamin C is extracted from the hips; the hips are also used for cosmetic preparations.

Wildlife
Bees and hoverflies are attracted to the flowers. Many birds, including blackbirds, waxwings and greenfinches feed on the hips. Small mammals like the Bank Vole also eat the hips.