Plant type

Deciduous shrub

Height & spread

4m x 3m

Wildlife benefit

Bird (hips and shelter), small mammal and moth caterpillar plant

  • British native. Fragrant, single, pale pink flowers borne in summer. Also very prickly so good to deter intruders. Bright red hips in autumn.
  • Hips eaten by Fieldfare, Bullfinch, Redwing, Mistle Thrush, Song Thrush, Greenfinch, Blackbird, Woodpigeons, Waxwings, Tits, Jays, Magpies, Rooks, Blackcaps, Garden Warblers,
  • Serins and Finches. Birds often don’t take the hips until January.
  • Moth caterpillars such as Vapourer, Common Emerald, Barred Yellow and Shoulder Stripe Moth can feed on foliage.
  • Again, small mammals such as bank voles, wood mice and squirrels will eat the hips.