Fruity hedges.

[rustylady]

Not girly at all Darwin. The pink Rosa Rugosa are normally a lovely bright pink. I have some in my garden.

[Darwin.]

I grew up on a farm over 3 mile from the nearest village and down a lane almost a mile long, it was a fantastic place to grow up and we had all these plants dotted about the place, I didn't know until it was mentioned a few days ago what rosa rugosa was but now I know we had it.

I think it was it that we used to open the hips and shove the seeds down peoples backs, they were VERY itchy.

What I'm trying to do with my garden is plant a lot of things we had back then, or neighbours had. I don't really know why but I want those old familiar sights and smells about me again.

[veggiechicken]

It was probably Dog Rose, (Rosa Canina) that was growing wild in the country hedges
Dog rose | Nature's Calendar

[Darwin.]

That could have been it you know.

[veggiechicken]

Yep, Darwin, I know The flowers aren't as big or colourful as the Rugosa - the hips are smaller too, but it was these hips that were used during the war to provide Vitamin C for the children - not that I'm old enough to remember

[Darwin.]

Well that's my new thing learned for today.

So if I make wine from the rosa rugosa it will be a good source of vitamin C for me, right

[veggiechicken]

Have a look at this Darwin Rose hip Benefits & Information
but remember all those itchy little hairs in the middle of the rosehip? You don't want to swallow those

[Darwin.]

I don't? Ok, I'll get my wife to get rid of those, she doesn't know they're itchy yet

[veggiechicken]

Put them down her back - she'll soon find out Don't blame me for your divorce though

[Darwin.]

That link was brilliant, I din't know any of that stuff at all.

[veggiechicken]

Don't take it as gospel though Darwin. Read up on all the plants before you use them for anything. Get a decent book on wild plants and learn about their identification and uses. I grew up in a town, without a garden, but my parents were always taking me out for walks and teaching me about wild plants and animals. I learnt so much about the countryside without realising it. So get a book and every time you find a plant you don't recognise, look it up, and see what its uses are. This is a wonderful resource Plants For A Future : 7000 Edible, Medicinal & Useful Plants and here is the entry for Dog Rose Rosa canina Dog Rose PFAF Plant Database

[Darwin.]

I have a bird book at home that I've been using a lot lately and I've been meaning to get one that identifies Irish flora and fauna. I'd love to be able to identify all the plants, birds, bugs and animals I see when I'm out and about.

I'll have a read of those, cheers.

[VirginVegGrower]

I don't honestly know, I think he said there was a mixture. It might sound a bit girly but I'd prefer if they were pink.

They look great as a random mix. I'm sure you've done a good job. Don't let them dry out in hot weather, whilst establishing. Oh and the rugosa hip does have hairy middles. Watch that if you make syrup with them. They have similar flowers to the wild rose but the scent on these is sublime, pink or white.

[Martin H]

Hot weather ???
!!!

[Darwin.]

I'm sure there'll be a few hot days. All the plants I have now, it'll take bloody ages to water them !!!

I think I was over watering things in the past though. Someone said 10 litres once a week for trees, I have 26 trees and I had been watering them every day on the odd hot week we had.

I always make sure to keep any new stuff well watered for the first year anyway. These have a ready supply of water in the stream beside them so it should be handy enough.