Rosa gymnocarpa aka Dwarf Rose

Rosa gymnocarpa is a deciduous shrub in the rose family. Its common names include wood rose and little wood rose. Another name, baldhip rose, refers to its smooth fruit. It grows wild in western Canada and the western United States. Its range runs from British Columbia south to southern California. It extends from the Pacific Coast inland to the Rocky Mountains. Oregon lies within its native range. This is a rose of temperate regions.

The shrub grows upright and reaches about 6 feet [1.8 metres]. Fine branches and slender stems shape its form. The bark ranges from green to reddish brown. New twigs start green, then turn brown as they age. Straight, sharp prickles grow along the stems, mixed with bristles. Some young twigs have fine hairs instead of prickles. The buds are red and round. These stem traits help distinguish it when flowers are absent.

The leaves grow in an alternate pattern along the stems. Each pinnate leaf divides into five to nine smaller leaflets. A whole leaf can reach about three inches long. The leaflets range from oval to egg-shaped or nearly round. Their edges have small teeth. Both surfaces usually lack hairs. Leaves may show brown or purple tints beneath a dull, waxy coating. Narrow stipules sit at the base of the leaf stalk. The shrub sheds its leaves rather than keeping them year-round.

Pink to rose-colored flowers have five petals and a scent. They measure about one to one-and-a-half inches across. Flowers grow alone or in small groups of up to four. Fleshy hips follow the flowers and ripen in late summer. They turn red or orange-red and may look shiny. Their shape ranges from round to pear-shaped. Each hip holds small, dry fruits called achenes. The calyx drops away, leaving the hip without its floral cap. Hips can stay on the branches through winter. These lasting fruits add interest after the leaves fall.

In gardens, this rose accepts sun as well as shade. It grows in moist soil but also tolerates drier ground. Oregon State lists it as hardy to USDA Zone 5. Its flowers and winter hips provide interest in different seasons.