Rugosa Rose is a perennial grown for its red blooms, which open in mid spring and return year after year. It's hardy across USDA zones 4 through 10, shrugs off deer and shrugs off dry spells. Its mid spring flowers are a moderate draw for honeybees and native bees.
Zones
4-10
pH Range
5.5-7.5
Sun
Part Sun
Days to Maturity
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Which pests actually threaten rugosa rose where you grow?
Japanese beetle is only documented in part of the country, so the answer depends on where you plant. Enter your location and we'll tell you which one reaches your land — and the move that beats it.
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What Rugosa Rose is
Rugosa Rose grows as a perennial and reaches around six feet at maturity. It blooms red in mid spring. It's also deer-resistant.
How to grow Rugosa Rose
Rugosa Rose grows in USDA zones 4 through 10. Rugosa Rose does best in part sun — at least 4 hours of direct sun a day — and soil from pH 5.5 to 7.5, on well-drained ground. It needs about 600 hours of winter chill, which is why climate matters as much as soil.
USDA Zones
4-10
USDA PHZM 2023
Soil pH
5.5 - 7.5
USDA PLANTS Database
Sun
Part Sun
Growable Ground plant catalog
Drainage
well (dry spells)
Growable Ground plant catalog
Frost Tolerance
-33°F
The lowest temperature it shrugs off — below this, expect damage without cover.
Growable Ground plant catalog
Mature Height
6 ft
Growable Ground plant catalog
Chill Hours
600+
Winter hours below ~45°F it needs to fruit — too-mild winters can leave it bloom-shy.
Growable Ground plant catalog
Frost-Free Days
0+
The frost-free stretch it needs start to finish — short-season areas may need an indoor head start.
Growable Ground plant catalog
Start the season right
Plant rugosa rose in part sun with at least 4 hours of direct sun.
Match the soil
Rugosa Rose prefers pH 5.5 to 7.5 (USDA PLANTS). A quick soil test from your local Extension lab tells you whether to add lime or sulfur to land in band.
Water steadily
Keep the root zone evenly moist through establishment. A 2–3 inch mulch layer holds moisture without waterlogging.
Harvest at its peak
Cut rugosa rose blooms in the cool of the morning, just as they open, for the longest display.
Good to know
Good news for pet owners — rugosa rose isn't known to be toxic to dogs or cats. (Source: ASPCA.)
Rugosa Rose offers moderate value to bees and other pollinators. (Source: Pollinator Partnership.)
Where Rugosa Rose thrives
Rugosa Rose is hardy across USDA zones 4 through 10. Zone is only the starting point, though: the soil pH, drainage, and frost dates on your specific land decide how well it actually does.
Zones 4–10·Where Rugosa Rose growsOpen map →
On USDA hardiness-zone overlap, Rugosa Rose can grow in these states:
See if Rugosa Rose will thrive on your land
Zone averages are a start. Your exact soil pH, drainage, sun exposure, and frost dates shape whether rugosa rose actually takes — we score it against the real conditions at your address.
Three things about your exact spot that zone averages miss:
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I grow Rugosa Rose in my zone?
Rugosa Rose grows in USDA hardiness zones 4 through 10 (USDA PHZM 2023). Zone is one factor — soil pH, drainage, and frost dates on your specific parcel also shape whether it takes.
When should you plant Rugosa Rose?
Time rugosa rose to your own season rather than the calendar. Your local frost dates set the exact window — a Growable Ground report reads them for your address.
How much sun does Rugosa Rose need?
Rugosa Rose does well in partial sun — around 4 hours of direct sun, and it takes some afternoon shade in stride. That flexibility makes it a good match for a bed the house or a nearby tree shades for part of the day. A Growable Ground report maps how the sun actually falls on your land, hour by hour, so you can set it where the light lines up.
What soil does Rugosa Rose need?
Rugosa Rose prefers soil pH 5.5 to 7.5, on well-drained ground (USDA PLANTS). Your report scores your parcel's actual soil against that using USDA SSURGO data.
Does Rugosa Rose attract pollinators?
Yes — rugosa rose's flowers are a solid nectar source for honeybees and native bees. (Source: Pollinator Partnership.)
Is Rugosa Rose safe for pets?
Rugosa Rose is not known to be toxic to dogs or cats based on available data. Always supervise pets around new plantings. (Source: ASPCA.)