Nootka Rose (Rosa nutkana)

Nootka rose is a tall, upright shrub with large, pleasantly fragrant pink flowers that are attractive to bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. The flowers and fruits (rosehips) are the largest of our native rose species. The rosehips ripen in early fall and persist into winter, providing winter interest in the garden and a valuable food source for birds and other wildlife. The rosehips are also edible to humans and can be eaten fresh (remove the seeds first), or made into a tea that is high in vitamin C. This shrub is easy to grow and adaptable to a wide range of conditions. It is rhizomatous and can spread over time to create thorny thickets that may not be suitable for small gardens, but are great for bird and wildlife habitat, hedgerows, and wilder areas of the garden. The roots of nootka rose are useful for stabilizing soils along streambanks.

Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Soil & Moisture: Moist to seasonally dry, humus-rich soil. 
Mature Size: Up to 10' tall, rhizomatous
Bloom Time: Late spring to early summer
Edible: Yes
Wildlife Value: Attracts beneficial insects, bees, and other pollinators. Butterfly host plant. Fruits are eaten by wildlife. Provides cover and nesting sites. Flowers, leaves and young twigs browsed by mammals.
Native Range & Habitat: Coastal areas, riparian areas, open forests, forest edges, and meadows. Low to middle elevations. From Alaska south to California, and east to the Rocky Mountains.
Other Names: Wild rose