I assume that this would work for a dog rose too? We have one that has invaded a holly bush that we want to get rid of -but the rose would look wonderfull in our hedge.
Presumeably the rose got there by seeding itself -can you grow them from seed and how should you collect it?
Jeremy
Hello Jeremy
Yes hardwood cuttings would work fine for a dogrose (or any other species rose).
Growing from seed takes as much patience as cuttings.
Firstly let the rose produce seed pods or hips. When ripe harvest as many as you need. Now you need to seperate the seed from the flesh of the hip. You can either do this straight away (very messy!) or you can let the flesh rot away a bit before seperating out the seeds, doing the later does not harm the seed (it is very tough!).
Now you need to find out if any of the seed are viable. To do this drop them in a bowl of cold water. Those that sink to the bottom are OK, those that float are no good.
Get a pot/ tray (whatever you use for seed sowing) and fill with seed compost. Sow as normal. The seed needs chilling (stratification) to break dormancy. this can either be done by placing in the fridge (not freezer) for a few weeks then placing in a warmer spot to germinate, or if you have the patience leave out over winter and DONT protect from frost, just dont let it get waterlogged or too dry. The seed should germinate the following spring. If it doesnt dont throw it away, it may need further chilling (eg a second winter) to germinate all the seed.
i tried this method with some wild rose seed, the first spring a handfull of the seed germinated. I then left the pots and forgot about them until this spring - when more seedlings appeared.
I did warn you this needs patience!
Hope this helps