Growing, harvesting, and utilizing rose hips is a rewarding practice that will allow you to benefit from what nature provides us.
Learning how to cultivate and utilize rose hips can open you to a world of possibilities, from delicious teas and jams to nourishing skincare products.
In this article, we’ll be diving deep into the realm of roses hips and discover how to make the most of their many benefits.
What Is A Rose Hip?
Rose hip is a accessory fruit that develops after all roses have been pollinated and their petals wilted.
In the flower’s stead, the fruit develops, containing the seed pod.
Rose hips are small, rounded fruits that strongly resemble berries.
They have a wide range of vibrant hues including red, orange, and even purple.
Roses hips have been long used for both culinary, medicinal, and cosmetic purposes and are a staple in many cultures.
Their high content of antioxidants and vitamin C have earned the adoration of people worldwide.
How To Grow Rose Hips
Growing rose hips is a rewarding endeavor that not only adds beauty to your garden but also provides you with a source of vitamin C-rich fruit.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to grow them:
- Choose The Right Rose Variety
Select a rose variety known for producing large and flavorful rose hips.
- Select A Suitable Location
Roses require full sunlight, so choose a location in your garden that receives at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight each day.
Ensure good air circulation to prevent fungal diseases. - Prepare The Soil
Roses prefer well-draining soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (around 6.0 to 7.0).
Amend the soil with organic matter such as compost or well-rotted manure to improve fertility and drainage. - Plant The Rose Bushes
Plant your rose bushes in the spring or early fall.
Dig a hole that is as deep as the root ball and twice as wide.
Place the rose bush in the hole and backfill with soil, ensuring the bud union (the swollen area at the base of the plant) is just above ground level.
Water the newly planted rose thoroughly. - Water And Fertilize
Roses need regular watering to establish their roots and produce healthy hips. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
Fertilize your rose bushes in the spring with a balanced rose fertilizer or a slow-release granular fertilizer. - Prune Your Rose Bushes
Prune your rose bushes in the late winter or early spring before new growth begins.
Remove dead or diseased branches and shape the plant. - Pest And Disease Control
Keep an eye out for common rose pests like aphids, spider mites, and rose beetles.
Prevent fungal diseases like black spots and powdery mildew by providing good air circulation and avoiding overhead watering.
Best Roses For Rose Hips
While all roses do have the potential to produce rose hips, the taste, quantity, and texture of the hips vary between the different species.
Certain varieties of rose produce better rose hips.
For example, members of the Rosa rugosa species are said to have the best tasting hips.
Some members of this rose species include the ‘Alba’, ‘Frau Dagmar Hastrup’, and the ‘Scabrosa’.
Growing Zones
Rose hips will grow best in moderate to warm climates that have a long growing season.
They require about 4 to 8 weeks after the rose flower has completely wilted to develop and ripen.
One can anticipate the rose’s hips will fully ripen by late summer at the earliest.
For the best results, we suggest growing roses for their hips in zones 5 through 9.
Growing them in zones with short growing seasons can prove to be difficult as the rose hips may not fully ripen in time for the first hard frost.
How To Harvest Rose Hips
Ready to dive into harvesting roses hips?
It’s a fun and rewarding adventure that lets you pluck those vibrant, vitamin-packed treasures from your rose bushes.
Whether you’re aiming to spice up your recipes or brew some herbal goodness, let’s get started on this fruity journey!
When To Pick
To achieve the best taste, it is recommended to pick roses hips when they are nearly or fully ripened.
Unripe them can be picked, but they will only further ripen so much when they are separated from the plant.
Unripe hips can have an unpleasant flavor and lack the tasty pulp that they are known for.
To pick roses hips when they are ripe, look for the following:
- Color: Depending on the variety, the color of a ripe rose hip will vary. But generally speaking, they will be a vibrant hue such as red, orange, or purple. This color should be uniform throughout the whole exterior of the fruit.
- Firmness: Give the rose hip a gentle squeeze; it should be soft, but with some firmness to it. Avoid any rose hip that is mushy in texture, as it is overripe and possibly decaying.
- Fragrance: Ripe rose hips give off a delightfully sweet, floral scent.
- Easy to pick: When a rose hip is at peak ripeness, it should easily come off of the plant with little resistance. If they require too much force, it could mean that they are still underripe.
The Best Way To Harvest Them
Here are some tips on how to harvest rose hips in the most efficient way possible.
- Wear protective gloves when working with your rose plant. Many rose varieties contain thorns and prickles, which can pack a powerful sting.
- Individual rose hip can be plucked off with ease. When a rose hip is fully ripened, there should be no resistance when picking them off.
- You may pick off the rose hips by hand, or cut them from their branches using a small pair of garden shears.
When To Harvest Roses Hips For Seeds
When harvesting roses hips for seeds, it is best to wait until they reach peak ripeness before picking them.
Doing so will ensure that the seeds are fully developed.
Picking an underripe rose hip to harvest for seeds may result in underdeveloped seeds, which will not germinate.
How To Store Rose Hips
Prior to storing roses hips, it is important to clean and prepare them.
The seeds of a rose hip contain small hairs that can cause intestinal distress and irritation.
In order to prepare the fruit for consumption, these seeds must be removed.
Here are some tips to get you started:
- Rinse the fruit initially in order to remove any dirt or debris that came from the outdoors. Dry the rose hips fully and place them on a cutting board.
- Using a small knife, trim off the tips on either side of the fruit and then cut the rose hip in half, unveiling the seed pocket.
- Scoop out the seeds. You can either discard them or reserve the seeds for propagating new rose plants.
- Give the fruit one final rinse to clean off any residual seeds. Dry them fully.
After your rose hips have been properly cleaned and prepared, there are a few options to take in order to store them.
How To Store For Eating Them Fresh
If you intend of eating the rose hips fresh, then they may be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
They will last a few days in the fridge, but do be aware that they taste best when fresh.
Roses hips can also be frozen like many other fruits.
Simply place them in a freezer-safe container and use them when necessary.
Frozen fruits will last between six to nine months in the freezer with minimal effect on their flavor or nutritional value.
When the time comes to use the rose hips, you can simply thaw them or pop them in your mouth for a delicious frozen treat!
How To Store Them For A Long Period
For the longest shelf life, you can dry rose hips.
This can be done using a food dehydrator, or an oven if it’s more accessible.
To dry them in the oven, place them on a sheet pan and dry them in the oven at a very low temperature (around 100° F) for 4 hours, or until they become brittle.
Store your dried rose hips in an airtight container, such as a mason jar.
They will last for 1 year as long as they are stored in a cool, dry place such as a cupboard or pantry.
Rose Hips Uses
Tea & Health Benefits
Both dried and fresh rose hips can be brewed to make a delicious tea that is packed with health benefits.
Here are just some of the benefits that rose hip tea can bring:
- Anti-inflammatory
- Boosts your immune system
- Pain relief
- Lowers blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol
- Aids in weight loss
These amazing health benefits are due in part to the high amounts of vitamin C and antioxidants that rose hips contain.
However, it is important to note that not all individuals are compatible with rose hips.
Those who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking certain medications should exercise extreme caution before consuming rose hip.
We highly advise those with sensitive health conditions to speak with their physician first.
Homemade Syrups and Jam
Rose hips can also be consumed for pleasure and not just their health benefits.
They can be stewed to create delicious syrups, jams, and jellies that will make a unique and delicious topping for many desserts.
Herbal Skincare
The high amount of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties in rose hips make for a wonderful addition to your skincare routine.
Antioxidants are often associated with anti-aging products by improving the elasticity of your skin and increase natural collagen production.
You can include rose hips in your skincare routine by doing the following:
- Steeping dried rose hips in water to create rosewater toner.
- Grinding dried rose hips and mixing them with your favorite exfoliating scrub.
- Sprinkle rose hips into your bathtub for a delightful herbal-infused soak.
Conclusion
Growing, harvesting, and using rose hips is an enriching experience that melds together gardening, herbalism, and the culinary arts.
By properly nurturing your rose plants, you will be rewarded with tasty, vibrant fruits that can be used for a variety of purposes from skincare to medicine or cuisine.
