What's in bloom?

The spring wildflower season is in full swing and the parade of blooms is in progress. Among the shrubs that grow in the Inland Northwest, one of the earliest blooming plants is the Saskatoon Serviceberry. Serviceberry is been followed by a number of other whiteflowering shrubs, Chokecherry, Mountain Ash, Ninebark, and Red Stemmed Ceanothus. At the present time the Roses are in full bloom in the valleys in our area. One of the most common species is the Woods Rose, Rosa Woodsii.  It is also known as Wild Rose or Prairie Rose.

Woods Rose is a 2 to 5 foot tall shrub, usually forming thickets.  Depending upon the area it flowers May to July.  Flowers are found clusters and may be white to dark Rose in Color.  Seeds are contained within an orange-red, round fruit called a "hip", rose hips generally stay on the plants throughout the winter.  Woods Rose spreads via seed as well as by rhizomes. 

The Woods Rose occurs on prairies, plateaus, dry slopes and in open woods at a wide variety of elevations.  It is fairly tolerant of browsing, is very fire tolerant and will thrive in full sun to moderate shade.   It is very adaptable, will grow in a wide range of soil types and textures, but does best in well drained soils with a sandy texture.  It is also adapted to a wide range of moisture regimes but favors moist, well drained soils.

Wild Rose is an important species providing wildlife browse from spring through fall.  The rose hips which persist through much of the winter sustain many birds and mammals.  Because of its ability to spready via rhizomes this plant can be an effective species for erosion control.

Rose hips are a source of Vitamins A and C.  In fact rose hips have a higher vitamin C content than citrus fruit.  There are a variety of culinary uses for rose hips. They can be used fresh, dried or preserved.  They may be added to apple sauce, soups, stews, syrups, marmalade, tarts, breads and pie.  Rose hips have a tangy flavor similar to cranberries.  The fruits are best harvested afer the first frost.

Roses are also valued for their medicinal properties.  Scientists in Denmark reported that patients who daily consumed standardized rose power experienced less joint stiffness and pain after 3 to 4 months of treatment and use of the power also enabled them to reduce their standard pain medication.  Rose hips contain high levels of antioxidant flavanoids with known anti-inflammatory properties.

Wild Rose is a multi-stemmed deciduous shrub with an upright spreading growth habit.  The relatively fine texture of its leaves often sets it apart from other plants in the landscape.  As a native rose, it is relatively low maintenance and does not suffer from as many pest problems as many ornamental varieties.  It can be a high maintenance plant because of the fact that it will spread.  Thus some of its best uses are for mass plantings, naturalizing and woodland gardens.