How to Grow Roseraie de l'Hay
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Roseraie de l'Hay
Rosa rugosa 'Roseraie de l'Hay'
shrubRoseraie de l'Hay is a vigorous rugosa rose cultivar prized for its deeply fragrant, semi-double crimson-purple flowers and disease-resistant foliage. This hardy shrub rose produces abundant blooms throughout the growing season and decorative orange-red hips in fall. It is an excellent choice for hedging, borders, and low-maintenance ornamental landscapes.
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Example Roseraie de l'Hay timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Roseraie de l'Hay
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Roseraie de l'Hay
Late summer into fallBefore the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)
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Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in USDA zones 3-8, extremely cold hardy
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Establishment
First 4-6 weeks after plantingNew canes develop with wrinkled rugose foliage; plant focuses on root development
Water regularly to establish roots. Mulch around base. Avoid heavy pruning first year.
Vegetative Growth
4-8 weeks in springVigorous upright growth with dense, wrinkled dark green foliage appearing along canes
Apply balanced fertilizer monthly during growing season. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flowering. Remove any dead or diseased wood.
Blooming
Late spring through fall (repeating bloom cycles)Abundant semi-double crimson-purple flowers appear in clusters along canes with intense fragrance
Deadhead regularly to promote continuous blooming through summer. Ensure consistent moisture. Apply rose fertilizer formulated for blooming.
Hip Development
Late summer through winterAfter flowers fade (especially in late summer/fall), large decorative orange-red hips form
Leave some spent flowers to develop hips. Stop deadheading in late summer to allow hip formation. Hips provide fall interest and wildlife food.
Dormancy
November through FebruaryFoliage drops and canes harden off for winter; plant enters rest period
Reduce watering. Do not fertilize. Apply winter mulch in zones 3-5 if needed. Prune lightly in early spring (late March to early April).
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick in early morning, use pheromone traps, apply neem oil or insecticidal soap. Avoid arsenate sprays.
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Spray with strong water jet, apply insecticidal soap, use neem oil, or introduce beneficial insects like ladybugs.
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Increase humidity by misting, apply miticide, use neem oil, or spray sulfur (not with oils in same week).
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Prune infected leaves, apply insecticidal soap, or use spinosad spray.
Uses
Rose hip tea and jams
CulinaryThe ornamental hips can be harvested and dried to make vitamin C-rich herbal tea, jams, and syrups. Rugosa rose hips are known for their particularly high nutritional content. [source]
Traditional herbal remedy
MedicinalRugosa rose hips have been used in traditional medicine to boost immunity and aid digestion. The petals are also used in herbal preparations. [source]
Fragrance and cut flowers
HouseholdThe intensely fragrant semi-double flowers are excellent for cutting and arranging, and can be dried for potpourri or scented crafts. The perfume of Roseraie de l'Hay is particularly prized by gardeners. [source]
Hedging and landscape design
OrnamentalIts vigorous growth, disease resistance, and thorny canes make it excellent for informal hedges, borders, and wildlife-friendly landscape plantings. [source]
Pollinator and bird support
WildlifeThe abundant blooms attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators throughout the season, while the large fall hips provide essential food for birds and wildlife in winter. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
This ornamental shrub rose is not harvested for consumption. Cut flowers for arrangements by harvesting in early morning when blooms are fully open; place stems immediately in water. For hips, allow flowers to fade naturally in late summer and collect mature orange-red hips in fall for dried arrangements or natural wildlife food.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Roseraie de l'Hay was bred in France in 1901 and named after the famous rose garden at Roseraie de l'Haÿ-les-Roses in Paris, one of the world's premier rose collections.
- 🌱 Rugosa roses are among the hardiest and most disease-resistant roses available, naturally resistant to powdery mildew, black spot, and rose rosette virus that plague many modern hybrids.
- 🌱 The wrinkled, deeply textured foliage ('rugosa' means 'wrinkled') is distinctive among roses and remains ornamental even when the plant is not in bloom, providing texture to the landscape year-round.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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