Bloomipedia
Rugosa rose (Rosa rugosa)
Photo: Jayne Buckley Sykes via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized

Flower profile

Rugosa rose

Rosa rugosa

Rugosa rose (Rosa rugosa) is a low shrub in the Rosaceae family, introduced in the lower 48 states, blooming mostly May–August across the U.S.

Introduced in the lower 48

Rugosa rose is a flowering plant that USDA PLANTS lists as introduced in the lower 48 states. It's on our flower lists for 6 states, and across the U.S. it's most often seen in bloom in May–August.

21states where USDA records it
6Bloomipedia state lists include it
20,492U.S. sightings*

*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.

On our lists for: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Rhode Island

Quick look

Rosa rugosa is a species of rose native to eastern Asia, in northeastern China, Japan, Korea and southeastern Siberia, where it grows on beach coasts, often on sand dunes. It is naturalized in much of Europe and parts of the United States and Canada. It should not be confused with Rosa multiflora, which is also known as "Japanese rose". The Latin word "rugosa" means "wrinkled", referring to the wrinkled leaves.

  • It belongs to the Rosaceae family. iNaturalist
  • USDA PLANTS describes it as a subshrub with a perennial life cycle. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS lists it as introduced in the lower 48 states and records it in 21 states. USDA PLANTS
  • NatureServe lists it as not native to Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Connecticut and New Hampshire. NatureServe
  • In Maine, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in June–September. iNaturalist
  • In Massachusetts, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in May–August. iNaturalist
  • USDA PLANTS lists its flower color as red. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS gives its bloom period as mid spring. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS lists a mature height of about 5 ft. USDA PLANTS
  • iNaturalist has 5,017 research-grade sightings of it in Maine, ranking #3 among the 160 flowers on our Maine list. iNaturalist
  • iNaturalist has 4,960 research-grade sightings of it in Massachusetts, ranking #23 among the 188 flowers on our Massachusetts list. iNaturalist
  • iNaturalist has 1,529 research-grade sightings of it in Rhode Island, ranking #2 among the 164 flowers on our Rhode Island list. iNaturalist

When does it bloom?

Flowering records by month across the U.S. (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (2,003 records)
Bloom time in the 6 states whose Bloomipedia list includes it
StateTypePeak bloomSightings*
MaineIntroducedJune–September5,017
MassachusettsIntroducedMay–August4,960
Rhode IslandIntroducedJune–August1,529
New JerseyIntroducedMay–September944
ConnecticutIntroducedMay–October850
New HampshireIntroducedfew records (37)475

Conservation status

Federal (U.S. ESA)
Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. USFWS ECOS
NatureServe global
GNR Not yet ranked worldwide. NatureServe
State rare plant lists
Not listed Not on the official rare plant list in 6 of our 6 states.
See each state
Maine
Not listed Not on Maine Rare Plant List (Maine Natural Areas Program, 2021). E and T are Maine's official endangered and threatened plants (12 M.R.S.); SC and PE are tracking categories. NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Maine. Maine rare plant list
Massachusetts
Not listed Not on Massachusetts Endangered Species Act list (321 CMR 10.90). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Massachusetts. MESA list
Rhode Island
Not listed Not on Rhode Island Rare Plants 2016 (RI Natural History Survey, from the RI Wildlife Action Plan; informational, Rhode Island has no state plant-protection listing law). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Rhode Island. RI rare plants 2016
New Jersey
Not listed Not on New Jersey Endangered Plant Species List (N.J.A.C. 7:5C-5.1). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in New Jersey. N.J.A.C. 7:5C-5.1
Connecticut
Not listed Not on Connecticut Endangered, Threatened and Special Concern Plants (RCSA 26-306; 2015 list). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Connecticut. CT E/T/SC list
New Hampshire
Not listed Not on New Hampshire Official Rare Plants List (Ncr 312, eff. Jan 1, 2020). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in New Hampshire. NH Ncr 312
Rare elsewhere
No other U.S. state ranks it S1, S2, SH or SX.

Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.

Can you eat it?

For peopleEdible (per NC State Extension)

NC State Extension notes: “The fruits or hips are used to make jams and jellies.” NC State Extension

For petsNon-toxic to dogs, cats and horses

ASPCA's entry “Rose” (Rosa Species), which covers the whole genus, lists it as non-toxic to dogs, cats and horses. Eating lots of any plant can still upset a pet's stomach. ASPCA

🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.

Where does it grow?

USDA PLANTS records rugosa rose in 21 states.

recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin.

Maine counties with USDA records: Hancock, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc, Waldo, Washington, York.

Massachusetts counties with USDA records: Barnstable, Berkshire, Bristol, Dukes, Essex, Hampden, Middlesex, Nantucket, Plymouth, Suffolk.

Rhode Island counties with USDA records: Bristol, Newport, Providence, Washington.

Growing conditions

USDA PLANTS gives Rugosa rose a high shade tolerance, high drought tolerance and medium moisture use. It is rated for soil pH 5.5 to 7.5 and winter lows down to -33 °F.

Shade tolerance
High
Drought tolerance
High
Moisture use
Medium
Soil textures it is adapted to
coarse, medium
Soil pH range
5.5 to 7.5
Minimum temperature tolerated
-33 °F
Frost-free days needed (minimum)
140
Annual precipitation range
34 to 60 inches
Minimum root depth
14 inches
Salinity tolerance
Low
Fertility requirement
Medium
Growth rate
Moderate
Lifespan
Long
Active growth period
Spring and Summer
Fruit or seed
Red · Spring to Fall
Can be propagated by
bare root, container, seed
Commercial availability
Routinely Available

From the USDA PLANTS characteristics data for RORU. USDA ratings are general guidance for the species, not a guarantee for your garden.

Names, range and relatives

Native status by region (USDA PLANTS): Alaska: Introduced; Canada: Introduced; Lower 48 states: Introduced; St. Pierre and Miquelon: Introduced.

County records: USDA PLANTS lists it in 73 counties across 16 states; the most are in New York (12), Massachusetts (10), Maine (7).

Other Rosa on Bloomipedia (10): Roses (genus Rosa), Multiflora rose, California wild rose, Baldhip rose, Woods' rose, Climbing prairie rose, Nootka rose, Prickly wild rose, Prairie rose, Three-leaved rose.

More from the Rosaceae family (103 on Bloomipedia; most observed first): Mock strawberry, Black cherry, Toyon, Thimbleberry, Wineberry, Black raspberry, Trailing blackberry, Salmonberry.

More Maine flowers

Roses (genus Rosa) (Rosa)

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Three-toothed cinquefoil (Sibbaldiopsis tridentata)

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Sources