Cherokee Rose
A rose indigenous to southern China and Taiwan, south to Lass and Vietnam is the Cherokee Rose. After its early introduction to North America it has presently become thoroughly recognized here, though it was originally found in southern China and Taiwan. It is the official flower of the state of Georgia and was in the beginning described in botanical terms from a specimen growing in that state. The nearly 5 feet ‘Cherokee Rose’ is a mounding bush, or a thickly foliaged climber. It can grow up to 15 feet with neat leaves in the color of green apples. Absolutely white, fragrant 5-petaled flowers appear in spring. They reveal star shaped sepals after simply dropping their petals. As it does not sucker (unlike the ‘Macartney Rose’, with which it is often confused), it is one of the most excellent ones for naturalizing in the South. In exchange for very minimal care, the evergreen Cherokee Rose offers an outstanding display of its flowers.
It can reach to a height of 5-10 meters scrambling over shrubs and small trees. The leaves of this climbing shrub are 3-10 cm long with a norm of three to an unconventional five bright glossy green glabrous leaflets. The spotless white fragrant flowers with bristly stems have a diameter of 6-10 cm with yellow stamens. Bristly bright red hips follow these which are 2-4cm in diameter.
As the Cherokee rose blooms at the same time and in related naturalistic areas as the dogwood, it may be confused by people unfamiliar with it. Nonetheless, the grand display of white flowers surrounding golden centers is actually exceptional on closer scrutiny of the evergreen vine called the Cherokee rose (Rosa laevigata).
The Cherokee rose can be effortlessly used to fashion a screen to cover a trellis or a fencerow because of its climbing nature. It will form a mound with a size of a small mound truck if it is used as a specimen.
Placing this rose carefully is significant because it will trail across other trees shrubs and vines as well. Its benefit includes being used as a barrier plant due to its rapid growth rate and expected spiny thorns befitting a rose. It will survive in both dry and wet conditions through its adaptability to many types of soil. Yet, the well drained fertile soil brings out the best in the Cherokee rose.
A distinctive advantage of this plant is its great resistance to pests as in particular birds enjoy the large hips produced by the Cherokee. Either by dividing the root ball or from cuttings, it is propagated without ant problem.
From China in the mid 1700s, the Cherokee rose was introduced to our country possibly through England. It is reported as early as 1759, and was frequently found in ancient Southern gardens. From the woodlands, this hardy and adaptable plant escaped over the years to places extending from the Carolinas to Texas. The Cherokee Indians are credited with the rose’s wide distribution, weaving it into their teachings and institutions.