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Rosa rugosa ‘Alba’, commonly known as White Beach Rose, is a hardy, salt-tolerant shrub rose admired for its fragrant single white flowers, dense growth habit, and bright orange-red rose hips. Blooming repeatedly from early summer through fall, this rugged, low-maintenance shrub reaches 4 to 6 feet tall and wide. It is well-suited for coastal landscapes, erosion control, and informal hedges. While beautiful and widely used, Rosa rugosa is not native to the U.S. and may spread aggressively in natural areas, especially along shorelines.

Why choose White Beach Rose:

• Recurrent blooms: Fragrant white flowers appear from early summer into fall

• Salt and drought tolerant: Thrives in tough coastal conditions with minimal care

• Four-season interest: Decorative rose hips persist into winter and attract birds

Cultivating tips:

• Sun exposure: Requires full sun for best flowering and shape

• Soil needs: Adapts to sandy, poor, or dry soils; well-drained is ideal

• Maintenance: Minimal; prune to shape or rejuvenate in early spring

Designs for your garden:

• Coastal landscapes: Excellent for seaside gardens and dune stabilization

• Informal hedges: Dense growth creates natural privacy screens

• Wildlife gardens: Provides nectar and food for bees, butterflies, and birds

Ecological considerations:

• Non-native species: Can escape cultivation and spread in sensitive habitats

• Pollinator-friendly: Flowers support bees and beneficial insects

• Rose hips: Provide winter food for birds, but displace native shrubs if unmanaged

Looking for native alternatives?

Clethra alnifolia – Summersweet Clethra: A fragrant native shrub with midsummer white blooms that attract pollinators and thrive in moist or coastal soils.
Itea virginica ‘Henry’s Garnet’ – Virginia Sweetspire: A compact native shrub with arching form, white flower spikes, and brilliant red fall color.
Myrica pensylvanica – Northern Bayberry: A hardy coastal shrub with aromatic foliage and waxy berries, excellent for wildlife and erosion control.