Wild roses

If you're after low-fuss roses with timeless charm and eco-friendly credentials, wild roses might just be your garden’s secret weapon. These species roses are the original classics—untamed, elegant, and deeply connected to the natural landscape.

With their delicate, open-petalled flowers and rugged resilience, wild roses are perfect for a more relaxed, nature-inspired garden style. They’re incredibly hardy, thrive in tough spots, and are loved by pollinators. And when the blooms fade, they keep the show going with bold, architectural hips that light up the garden in autumn and winter.

Here are some standout wild roses from the range at Elmwood Nursery & Garden Centre:

• Rosa pteracantha (Winged Thorn Rose)
  This one’s a real conversation starter. Famous for its dramatic, translucent red thorns that glow like stained glass in sunlight. In late spring, it adds delicate white flowers to the mix—an unexpected contrast to its bold stems.
   
• Rosa eglanteria (Sweetbriar)
  Possibly the most romantic name in rose history. Native to English hedgerows, it offers dainty pale-pink flowers, a subtle apple-scented foliage, and bright orange hips in autumn. It’s a win for pollinators and wild-style borders alike.
   
• Rosa moschata (Musk Rose)
  A late bloomer that brings fresh energy just when the rest of the garden starts to wind down. Expect simple white flowers from September into October—perfect for extending your garden’s seasonal interest.
   
• Rosa moyesii (Geranium Rose)
  Not your typical rose. It bursts with vivid scarlet blooms in early summer, then follows up with striking, goblet-shaped red hips that almost look like something from a fantasy novel.
   
• Rosa spinosissima (Burnet Rose)
  Low-growing and covered in crisp white blooms through summer, this coastal native finishes strong with nearly black, glossy hips the size of marbles in autumn. It’s compact, hardy, and absolutely packed with character.

Curious about adding wild roses to your garden?

Swing by our garden centre in Emersons Green. Whether you're planting a wildlife-friendly hedge, looking for year-round colour, or just love the idea of roses with a wild side, our team is happy to help you pick the perfect variety.