Rosa Strandperle Amrum - Rugosa Rose

Rugosa rose Strandperle 'Amrum' is appealing for its natural appearance, healthy foliage and ease of growing. This small shrub with attractive deep green foliage combines the hardiness of its wild ancestors with the repeat-flowering character of modern roses. From May-June, attractive single flowers in an intense deep pink begin to bloom, releasing a pleasant fragrance of wild rose. Beneficial to pollinators, they keep appearing until October and are followed by decorative bright orange-red fruits, which remain on the plant until winter. Extremely hardy and easy to grow, it thrives in most soils, only disliking excessive chalk. Superb in a bed, it can also be used to create low hedges with a charming country-garden feel and can be grown in a container.

Rose is an important member of the large Rosaceae family, which takes its name from it, and includes both wild plants (burnet, wild strawberry...) and ornamental plants (Potentillas, Cotoneaster...) as well as most of our fruit trees (Apple, Apricot, Cherry...). The genus Rosa, which originally included 100 to 150 botanical species, has inspired breeders so greatly that there are now several thousand heritage varieties and several tens of thousands of modern cultivars! Native to northern China, Korea and Japan, Rosa rugosa, or rugosa rose, was introduced to Europe in 1796 or 1854 (?). This suckering shrub reaches 1.50 m in height and eventually forms dense colonies. Often growing in dunes and cold climates, it is naturally very resilient. Its name, rugosa, comes from its leaves and especially its prickles, which vary in size but are always short and densely borne on the stems. From the end of the 19th century, breeders enthusiastically exploited the species' hardiness to produce horticultural varieties in a range of colours, with carnation-like flowers and others.
Rugosa rose 'Amrum' belongs to the Strandperle® series developed by Tantau, one of Germany's leading rose growers. Based in Schleswig-Holstein, a windswept region between the North Sea and the Baltic, with soils favourable to rose growing, the proximity of the coast doubtless inspired the name "Beach Pearl" (Strandperle) given to this horticultural rose series. 'Amrum' develops into an upright clump 90 cm to 1 m tall, with a spread of 50 to 60 cm. Characteristic of rugosa roses, the beautiful deep green foliage, with a satin-like to almost glossy surface, is slightly puckered, with prominent veins. The edge of the lamina is serrated with small saw-like teeth, and the deciduous foliage generally turns yellow in autumn before falling to the ground. In May or June, depending on the region, the shrub produces large flowers 7 to 8 cm in diameter, in a deep pink varying from carmine to magenta. The single, brightly coloured flowers are set off beautifully by the foliage, as well as by a generous cluster of yellow stamens in the centre of the corolla, which contrasts attractively with the petals. The flowers are short-lived but are regularly replaced, so the shrub is almost always in flower until October. They release a gentle wild rose fragrance, perfectly complementing the natural appearance of this horticultural variety. Attracting pollinators, the flowers help to promote biodiversity in the garden. After fertilisation, they develop into orange-red to bright red fruits, whose glossy surface is particularly ornamental. They are edible and can be made into jams or jellies. Remaining on the shrub well into winter, they also provide a valuable food source for birds.

Hardy and requiring virtually no care, Strandperle 'Amrum' rose will find a place in a naturalistic garden, alongside other horticultural varieties in the same spirit. Plant it alongside white-flowered mock oranges in spring to create a harmonious colour scheme. Large shrubs such as lilacs or serviceberries will add volume to your bed. A European spindle will also be very welcome, rewarding you with flamboyant autumn colours as well as highly decorative pink and orange fruits.