🌿 Morphology
🌞 Growing conditions
🌍 Origin and family
🌾 Uses
Warning: Despite the care taken in writing this sheet, it is essential to cross-reference sources before using or consuming any plant. When in doubt, consult a qualified professional
Permaculture uses
The Cherokee Rose is primarily used as an ornamental plant in permaculture, providing beauty and fragrance to the landscape. Its rose hips are edible but not highly palatable, often used in jellies and teas after processing to remove the irritating hairs. The plant's dense growth can serve as a living fence or barrier. It's also sometimes used for erosion control due to its spreading nature.
Permapeople description
Rosa laevigata, also known as the Cherokee rose, is a species of rose native to southern China and Vietnam, but widely naturalized in the southeastern United States.
Botanical description
Rosa laevigata, commonly known as the Cherokee Rose, is a climbing rose species native to southern China and Taiwan. It is an evergreen or semi-evergreen shrub with long, thorny stems that can reach up to 20 feet in length. The leaves are pinnately compound, typically with three leaflets that are glossy green. The flowers are large, solitary, and usually white, with a diameter of 2-4 inches. They have a prominent cluster of yellow stamens in the center. The fruit is a red rose hip, about 1 inch in diameter. It is a vigorous grower and can become invasive in some regions.
Companion planting
Information on companion planting with Rosa laevigata is limited. As a vigorous grower, it can compete with smaller plants for resources. Avoid planting near delicate or slow-growing species. Consider its potential to climb and shade other plants when choosing companions.
Propagation methods
The Cherokee Rose can be propagated by seeds, cuttings, or layering. Seed propagation requires scarification and stratification to break dormancy. Cuttings should be taken from semi-hardwood in late spring or early summer. Layering is another effective method, where a low-lying stem is bent to the ground and covered with soil until roots develop.
History and traditions
The Cherokee Rose holds significant cultural importance in the southeastern United States, particularly among the Cherokee people. According to legend, the white petals represent the tears of Cherokee mothers forced to walk the Trail of Tears, while the gold center symbolizes the gold taken from the Cherokee lands. The rose is the state flower of Georgia.
Usage calendar
Flowering occurs primarily in late spring to early summer (April-June). Rose hips mature in the fall (September-November). Pruning is best done after flowering to remove dead or crossing branches and maintain desired shape.