This month as the roses start blooming across New Zealand, we feature a heritage rose which is one of the best in the rugosa classification. Rugosa roses are easy to grow untroubled by disease, can grow near the sea and have fragrant blooms often followed by colourful hips. On the downside, the thorns are quite vicious
‘Hansa’ is a taller growing rugosa with double blooms of purple red with golden stamens in the centre. The blooms come in clusters throughout the growing season and if not deheaded, large orange hips will form providing interest and colour in the autumn. One of the first to start flowering and last to finish each year, it is very healthy as all rugosa’s are!
On the downside, ‘Hansa’ can sucker if grown on its own roots and is rather thorny. Great grown as a hedge or in the garden, provided its size won’t be an issue. Bred in the Netherlands in 1905 by Schaum and Van Tol, it is a good all round rose.