Macartney Rose

Prized for its unique, semi-evergreen habit, Rosa bractea, AKA Macartney Rose, is a vigorous species rose featuring exceptionally glossy, leathery foliage that stays on the plant well into Winter. Introduced from China in 1793, it produces large, single, bowl-shaped white flowers with a prominent central "boss" of golden-yellow stamens and a delicate, fruity fragrance. The arching, sturdy stems are armed with protective thorns and cradled by distinctive leaf-like bracts. It reliably repeats its flowering, blooming from mid-Summer through to the first frosts, followed by decorative orange-red hips. This robust climber or spreading shrub performs best in a warm, sheltered spot—ideally against a south-facing wall—where it can soak up the sun and stay protected from harsh Winter winds. 

Site: Sheltered, warm, perfect for South/West-facing walls 
Soil: Thrives in fertile, moist but well-drained soil
Position: Full sun
Season of interest: Glossy semi- evergreen foliage; flowers from July to October; winter hips.
Hardiness: Slightly tender (H3/H4).
Height: 8–20ft (2.5–6m) Spread: 6–10ft (2–3m)

Image by Malcolm Manner, cropped, and licensed under CC BY 2.0