Rosa laevigata
| Rosa laevigata | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 7 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Evergreen | |
| Height: | 20' |
| Speed: | Moderate |
| Blooms: | Early Summer-Mid Summer |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Rosa laevigata (common name: cherokee rose)
Propagation: Seed. Rose seed often takes two years to germinate. This is because it may need a warm spell of weather after a cold spell in order to mature the embryo and reduce the seedcoat[1]. One possible way to reduce this time is to scarify the seed and then place it for 2 - 3 weeks in damp peat at a temperature of 27 - 32°c (by which time the seed should have imbibed). It is then kept at 3°c for the next 4 months by which time it should be starting to germinate[1]. Alternatively, it is possible that seed harvested 'green' (when it is fully developed but before it has dried on the plant) and sown immediately will germinate in the late winter. This method has not as yet(1988) been fully tested[1]. Seed sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame sometimes germinates in spring though it may take 18 months. Stored seed can be sown as early in the year as possible and stratified for 6 weeks at 5°c[2]. It may take 2 years to germinate[2]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. Plant out in the summer if the plants are more than 25cm tall, otherwise grow on in a cold frame for the winter and plant out in late spring.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood with a heel, July in a shaded frame. Overwinter the plants in the frame and plant out in late spring[3]. High percentage[3].
Cuttings of mature wood of the current seasons growth. Select pencil thick shoots in early autumn that are about 20 - 25cm long and plant them in a sheltered position outdoors or in a cold frame[3][2]. The cuttings can take 12 months to establish but a high percentage of them normally succeed[3].
Division of suckers in the dormant season. Plant them out direct into their permanent positions.
Layering. Takes 12 months[4].
Cultivation: Succeeds in most soils[4], preferring a circumneutral soil and a sunny position[2]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Dislikes water-logged soils[2].
A very ornamental plant[5], but it is not very hardy in Britain and only succeeds outside in the warmer parts of the country[4]. It can be cut back to the ground even in southern England in cold winters, though it will usually resprout from the base[6]. It is the state flower of Georgia[7] and is also the parent of several modern garden cultivars[7].
The flowers have a clove-like fragrance[8].
If any pruning is necessary then this should be carried out immediately after the plant has finished flowering[7].
Grows well with alliums, parsley, mignonette and lupins[9][10]. Garlic planted nearby can help protect the plant from disease and insect predation[9][10]. Grows badly with boxwood[9].
Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[1].
Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[2].
Range: E. Asia - Southern China from Sichuan and Hubei to Taiwan.
Habitat: Rocky places at low altitudes[11]. In open fields, farmland, or in scrub at elevations of 200 - 1600 metres[12].
Edibility: Fruit - raw or cooked[13]. The pear-shaped fruit is up to 4cm long[2], but there is only a thin layer of flesh surrounding the many seeds[K]. Sugar can be extracted from the fruit, it is also used to ferment rose wine[12]. Some care has to be taken when eating this fruit, see the notes above on known hazards.
The seed is a good source of vitamin E, it can be ground and mixed with flour or added to other foods as a supplement[14][15]. Be sure to remove the seed hairs[14].
Medicinal: The leaves are a famous vulnerary[16].
The fruits, root and leaves are emmenagogue and depurative[17]. Their use stabilizes the kidneys[17]. A decoction is used in the treatment of chronic dysentery, urinary tract infections, wet dreams, prolapse of the uterus, menstrual irregularities and traumatic injuries[17].
The root bark is astringent and used in the treatment of diarrhoea and menorrhagia[16].
The dried fruits are antibacterial, anticholesterolemic, astringent, carminative, diuretic and stomachic[18][19][16][20]. They are used internally in the treatment of urinary dysfunction, infertility, seminal emissions, urorrhoea, leucorrhoea and chronic diarrhoea[20].
The root is used in the treatment of uteral prolapse[16].
The flowers are used in the treatment of dysentery and to restore hair cover[16].
The fruit of many members of this genus is a very rich source of vitamins and minerals, especially in vitamins A, C and E, flavanoids and other bio-active compounds. It is also a fairly good source of essential fatty acids, which is fairly unusual for a fruit. It is being investigated as a food that is capable of reducing the incidence of cancer and also as a means of halting or reversing the growth of cancers[21].
Usage: The root bark contains tannin[12]..
Pollinators: Bees
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
In Leaf: Evergreen
Seed Ripens: Late Summer-Late Fall
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Heavy Clay: Grows in heavy-clay soils.
Known Hazards: There is a layer of hairs around the seeds just beneath the flesh of the fruit. These hairs can cause irritation to the mouth and digestive tract if ingested.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 McMillan-Browse, Philip. Hardy Woody Plants from Seed. Grower Books, 1985.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Sheat, Wilfrid. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. St Martin, 1948.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2. Pan Books, London, 1998.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Grey-Wilson, Christopher and Victoria Matthews. Gardening on Walls. Collins, 1983.
- ↑ Genders, Roy. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale, 1994.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Philbrick, Helen and Richard Gregg. Companion Plants. Watkins, 1979.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Riotte, Louise. Carrots Love Tomatoes. Garden Way, 1978.
- ↑ Wilson, Ernest and Charles Sargent. Plantae Wilsonianae.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 Flora of China. 1994.
- ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Kavasch, Barrie. Native Harvests. Vintage Books, 1979.
- ↑ Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 16.4 Duke, James and Edward Ayensu. Medicinal Plants of China. Reference Publications, 1985.
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 Revolutionary Health Committee of Hunan Province. A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press.
- ↑ Yeung, Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, 1985.
- ↑ Stuart, George. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei Southern Materials Centre.
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.
- ↑ Matthews, Victoria. The New Plantsman Volume 1. Royal Horticultural Society, 1994.