The Burnet Rose Rosa spinosissima is a coastal species this occurs as a low shrub in open heathland habitats and scrub. It rarely occurs further inland. Very common in Cornwall and Dorset, but much rarer elsewhere in the south-west. You’d think it prefers calcareous soils and would be all over the south downs, but it seems to like the salt-air of the coast and to be in open wind-swept, full-sun coastal habitat. It’ll be quite happy to grow wherever you plant it provided it is a full-sun location with little competition.
Be warned! It comes with viscous armament of needle-like prickles A great way to keep the neighbour’s cat off your rose garden!
Rosa spinosissima is not a FRM controlled species, and is not in the Forestry Commission’s list, therefore cannot be certified.