Rose - Sericea Pteracantha Wingthorn

Common Name:
Wingthorn Rose

Description:
Rosa sericea subsp. omeiensis f. pteracantha, commonly known as the Wingthorn Rose, is a striking and highly ornamental species rose grown as much for its architectural form as for its flowers. It is best known for its extraordinary, translucent crimson-red thorns which grow along the stems like winged blades, catching the light dramatically when backlit. Native to the mountainous regions of China, this deciduous shrub bears small, single white flowers in spring, followed by red hips in late summer to autumn. While the flowers are delicate and fleeting, the foliage is fine and fern-like, and the young red stems provide year-round structural interest. In Melbourne gardens, Wingthorn Rose thrives in full sun to part shade and prefers well-drained soil. It is drought-tolerant once established and benefits from annual pruning to shape and encourage fresh thorny growth, which is most vibrant on new wood. Not a rose for massed floral displays, this is a collector’s plant with dramatic visual impact.

Form:
Shrub - Medium
Shrub - Architectural

Mature Size:
Height: 2–3 m
Width: 1.5–2.5 m

Aspect:
Full Sun
Part Shade

Flowering:
Flowers in Spring

Flower Colour:
White

Key Attributes:
Suitable for Hedging (informal, open-form)
Bird Attracting (due to hips)
Perennial
Architectural Interest (notable thorns)
Drought Tolerant once established
Unique Foliage and Stems

Toxicity:
Not considered toxic, but the large, sharp thorns can cause physical injury. Keep away from children and pets.

Companion Plants:
Cotinus coggygria (Smoke Bush)
Perovskia atriplicifolia (Russian Sage)
Stipa gigantea (Golden Oat Grass)
Eryngium spp. (Sea Holly)
Pennisetum alopecuroides (Fountain Grass)