How to Grow Frau Dagmar Hastrup

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Frau Dagmar Hastrup

Rosa rugosa 'Frau Dagmar Hastrup'

shrub

Frau Dagmar Hastrup is a hardy rugosa rose cultivar known for its single, soft pink fragrant flowers and distinctive large red hips. This disease-resistant shrub rose features wrinkled, deeply veined foliage and a compact, spreading habit, making it ideal for hedging, borders, and low-maintenance landscapes. It blooms repeatedly throughout the growing season and produces ornamental fruit that attracts wildlife.

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Example Frau Dagmar Hastrup timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Frau Dagmar Hastrup
Around Apr 17

Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
Tend & protect
Late spring–summer

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
Harvest Frau Dagmar Hastrup
Late summer into fall

Before the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Frau Dagmar Hastrup dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily; tolerates light afternoon shade

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Water: Moderate watering; water deeply at planting and during establishment. Once established, drought-tolerant but benefits from occasional deep watering during dry spells. Avoid overhead watering to prevent fungal issues.

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Spacing: 36 inches

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Days to maturity: Blooms first year from established plant; reaches mature size in 2-3 years

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Planting depth: Plant grafted roses with graft union 2 inches below soil line in cold climates (zone 5 and colder) or at soil level in warmer zones

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil, tolerates poor soils

pH: 6.0-7.0

Amendments:

Compost Aged manure Peat moss or coconut coir Bone meal at planting

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 3-8, exceptionally cold-hardy

3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a

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Growth Stages

Dormancy/Bare Root Planting

Until active growth begins (4-6 weeks)

Bare root or containerized young plant with minimal foliage

Plant in early spring or fall when dormant. Soak bare roots for 2-4 hours before planting. Water thoroughly after planting. Mulch around base, keeping 3-4 inches from canes.

Spring Growth & Leafing

4-6 weeks

New red-tinged foliage emerges; canes extend, characteristic wrinkled leaves appear

Remove winter mulch gradually. Apply balanced rose fertilizer (10-10-10) as growth begins. Prune any winter-damaged canes. Monitor for early pests.

Flowering & Fruiting

May/June through frost; repeat blooming every 6-8 weeks

Single soft pink flowers appear in clusters; flowers fade and distinctive red hips form while blooms continue on new growth

Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming, or leave flowers on plant to develop hips. Apply rose fertilizer every 4-6 weeks. Water consistently. Hips mature from summer through fall.

Mid-Summer Growth & Bloom

July-August

Vigorous growth continues; second and third flushes of blooms emerge; hips from earlier flowers enlarge and redden

Maintain regular watering, especially during hot periods. Watch for Japanese beetles and spider mites. Deadhead for more blooms or leave for hip development. Light fertilizing acceptable.

Fall & Winter Hardening

September-November

Blooming slows; hips deepen to brilliant red-orange; foliage may yellow; plant prepares for dormancy

Stop fertilizing by late August to allow hardening. Do not deadhead; leave hips for winter interest and wildlife food. Provide mulch in zone 5 and colder after first hard frost. Minimal pruning until spring.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Lavender Catmint Salvia Delphiniums Alliums Geraniums Sedum Ornamental grasses Boxwood

Avoid planting near:

Black walnut trees Fennel Wormwood Plants requiring frequent overhead watering in humid climates

Common Pests

Hand-pick in early morning; use pheromone traps set away from shrubs; apply neem oil or insecticidal soap; encourage beneficial parasitic wasps
Increase humidity with regular misting; strong water spray to dislodge; neem oil or horticultural oil; ensure adequate moisture
Remove infected plants immediately; control with sulfur dust or horticultural oil; resistant variety choice minimizes risk
Strong water spray; insecticidal soap; neem oil; encourage ladybugs and lacewings
Hand-pick on foliage; neem oil; spinosad spray; remove affected leaves

Uses

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Rose Hip Tea & Preservation

Culinary

Rose hips are exceptionally rich in vitamin C and can be dried, steeped in hot water for a tart, mildly sweet tea, or made into preserves and syrups. The hips offer nutritional and herbal benefits used in traditional medicine for immune support. [source]

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Immune Support & Anti-inflammatory

Medicinal

Rose hips contain high levels of vitamin C, lycopene, and polyphenols with documented anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. Traditional herbalism uses rose hip preparations to support immune function and joint health. [source]

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Ornamental Fruit & Winter Interest

Household

The brilliant red-orange hips provide stunning visual interest from late summer through winter, persisting even after leaves drop. This makes Frau Dagmar Hastrup valuable for garden design and long-season landscape color. [source]

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Food Source for Birds & Pollinators

Wildlife

Fragrant pink flowers attract bees and pollinators; large hips provide crucial high-calorie food for migratory birds and wildlife in fall and winter months. A single plant supports diverse wildlife while offering minimal maintenance. [source]

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Edible Flowers & Botanical Crafts

Craft

Single pink blooms can be crystallized, used in floral arrangements, or pressed for botanical crafts. Petals are edible with a delicate flavor suitable for culinary garnishes and artisan projects. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Hips are ready to harvest in fall (September-November) when fully red-orange and firm to the touch. Harvest with pruners, leaving some for wildlife. Fresh hips can be used immediately; dry them for tea by halving, removing seeds, and air-drying 1-2 weeks. Flowers can be harvested when fully open for culinary or craft use; cut in early morning when blooms are hydrated.

Fun Facts

🌱 Frau Dagmar Hastrup is one of the few rose varieties that thrives in zone 3 without winter protection, making it one of the hardiest garden roses available for cold climates.
🌱 Rose hips from rugosa roses contain up to 20 times more vitamin C than oranges by weight, making them a traditional remedy for scurvy and winter wellness in Northern European countries.
🌱 This cultivar was introduced in 1914 and named after Dagmar, Duchess of Oldenburg, remaining popular for over a century due to its disease resistance, hardiness, and low-maintenance characteristics.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Bare Root Cultivar Deadhead Full Sun Mulch

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