Rose hips are petite, crab-apple-like, seed-filled colorful fruits which form at the base of late-season rose blossoms. The comparison to apples is not coincidental – roses and apples are in the same botanical family (Rosaceae), and both produce multiple seeds within their fruit.
To promote hip formation, stop deadheading roses in mid to late August, which signals the plant to stop producing flowers and start preparing for the cold season. While many rose varieties produce these seed pods, Rugosa roses and other shrub roses are noted for producing an abundance of rose hips in shades of gold, orange, or burgundy.
In general, heritage roses form more rose hips than modern, hybridized varieties. See this PlantTalk Colorado publication for planting suggestions.
Hips are also less likely to form on roses that produce “frilly” blossoms with tightly packed petals and never on the newer, self-cleaning varieties such as Knock-Out Roses®.
In addition to ornamental value, the fruit provides fall and winter food for birds and other wildlife; most home gardeners will leave them on the plant. However, if you have an abundance of rose hips (grown without toxins) and are feeling ambitious, here are some rose hip recipes.
A word of caution: While rose hips contain an abundance of vitamin C and other nutrients, they are not a pick-and-eat fruit. In its natural state, a rose hip is mighty bitter and frequently causes severe gastric distress in humans.
Most home gardeners won’t propagate rose seeds, which is an involved, multi-step process that can take three years or more to complete. Seeds from grafted or hybrid roses may not be identical to the parent, either. But if you’re up for a good challenge, here’s some information on germination.
This season, be sure to “peep” some rose hips along with the fall foliage – they are a beautiful, often overlooked sign of the season.
Image: Pixabay.com, a resource for royalty free images. Rose variety not specified.
Written by Linda McDonnell, Denver Master Gardener since 2012.
Denver Gardeners 