Looking to add more Dog Roses to your garden? You’re in luck! There are a few different ways to propagate these beauties, though some definitely require more patience than others. Let’s break down the pros and cons of each method so you can choose the best approach for your green thumb.
Here are your three main options:
- Growing from seed (sowing)
- Starting from cuttings
- Using root suckers (runners)
How to Grow Dog Roses from Seed
If you want to go the natural route and grow Dog Roses from scratch, you’ll need to harvest the seeds in the fall. Make sure to pick the rose hips before the first frost hits. Pro tip: Wear gloves! The tiny hairs inside the seeds can be super itchy if they get on your skin. Once you’ve gathered them, separate the seeds from the pulp.
Next, dry the seeds thoroughly. This is where the patience comes in—you’ll need to store them until next spring. A dark container or the fridge works great, just make sure they don’t get too warm. When spring rolls around, sow them and cover them with a light layer of soil. Just a heads-up: it can take up to two years for these seeds to actually sprout into new plants!
Propagating via Cuttings
If you’re not interested in waiting years for a sprout, taking cuttings from your Dog Rose is a much faster bet. In either the fall or early spring, cut a few stems that are about 8 inches long.
Strip the leaves and thorns off the bottom half of the cutting, but leave a few leaves on the top half so it can still “breathe.” Fill a starter pot with nutrient-rich soil and tuck the bottom half of the stem into the dirt. Keep it well-watered (but not soggy!). By May, your new little rose bush should be ready to move into the garden.
Using Runners for Easy Propagation
Dog Roses naturally produce root suckers, which makes your job incredibly easy. These are basically “baby” plants already growing off the main root system. In the spring, simply use a spade to slice one of these runners away from the mother plant.
Once you’ve dug it up, trim the shoot back by about half its length. Then, just pop it into a new spot in your garden or a pot with good soil. It’s one of the quickest ways to get a head start on a new bush!
