Red Rugosa Rose vs Sweet Gale - TreeTime.ca

Red Rugosa Rose vs Sweet Gale

Rosa Rugosa rubra

Myrica gale

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Red Rugosa Rose
Sweet Gale

Red Rugosa Rose is well-known for its incredible cold hardiness and disease resistance. This variety has beautiful crimson red flowers followed by scarlet rose hips in autumn. Try using the rose hips to make syrups or add flavor to existing fruit dishes and drinks.

Due to their overly thorny stems, Red Rugosa Rose is perfect for creating an impenetrable, deer resistant hedge. We recommend applying mulch during the summer months to retain moisture, cool the roots, and prevent weeds.

Note: This variety is from a seed source, not cuttings. Although somewhat true to seed and color expect some variability.

Sweet Gale is a native, nitrogen-fixing shrub known for its aromatic foliage. Tiny glands on the leaves release a balmy, bay leaf-like scent with floral and citrus notes. In spring, the yellowish male catkins provide one of the earliest sources of pollen for bees and other insects. While later in the season, the female catkins produce seeds that are eaten by waterfowl. Sweet Gale is dioecious, meaning male and female flowers occur on separate plants.

Sweet Gale thrives in wet, acidic soils and is commonly found along wetlands and lakeshores. It can help stabilize shorelines, while its dense growth provides valuable cover for wildlife. It is well-suited for naturalization, wetland restoration, and erosion control projects.

Red Rugosa Rose Quick Facts

Sweet Gale Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 1b
Height: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Height: 1.2 m (4 ft)
Spread: 1.2 m (4 ft)
Spread: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: medium
Life span: long
Life span: medium
Growth form: upright, thicket-forming
Spreading: suckering - medium, seeds - low
Suckering: medium
Maintenance: medium


Foliage: dotted with yellow glands, sweet scented
Fall colour: orange-red
Fall colour: yellow
Bark: reddish-purple, dotted with yellow glands
Flowers: red-pink
Fruit: rose hips
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: yes


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, YT, NT, NU, PE
Other Names: bog myrtle, meadow-fern, sweet bayberry, sweetgale