PlantFiles: Buschel Rose, Wreath Rose
Rosa multiflora

Rosa multiflora (Multiflora Rose) introduced from Japan and Korea in the 1860s as an ornamental shrub it has spread rapidly over the eastern and midwestern U.S. and is classified as a noxious weed in several states.

Beginning in the 1930s, the U.S. Soil Conservation Service promoted it for use in erosion control and as "living fences" to confine livestock. State conservation departments soon discovered value in multiflora rose as wildlife cover for pheasant, bobwhite quail, and cottontail rabbit and as food for songbirds and encouraged its use by distributing rooted cuttings to landowners free of charge. More recently, multiflora rose has been planted in highway median strips to serve as crash barriers and to reduce automobile headlight glare. Its tenacious and unstoppable growth habit was eventually recognized as a problem on pastures and unplowed lands, where it disrupted cattle grazing.

Rosa multiflora is also known to harbor rose rosette virus, a serious disease of cultivated roses.

Control with continued mowing or by pulling or digging after the thorny tops have been removed or cut and treat with a glyphosate herbicide.

State(s) where reported invasive*: AR, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, GA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MO, MS, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA, VT, WI, WV

*Information from Swearingen, J. 2006. WeedUS database, Alien Plant Invaders of Natural Areas. Plant Conservation Alliance, Alien Plant Working Group. [HYPERLINK@www.nps.gov]

Plant Conservation Alliance, Alien Plant Working Group.
[HYPERLINK@www.nps.gov]

Banned, prohibited, declared a nuisance or noxious weed in twelve states so far, for good reason.

It is illegal to propagate, sell, or transport in Pennsylvania.

[HYPERLINK@www.agriculture.state.pa.us]

I love the fragrance of this rose, and it is quite attractive when in bloom, but it needs to be controlled to keep it from getting way out of hand. It grows to about 15 feet tall if given proper space, and you will smell the blooms before seeing them. A pleasant rose "in moderation".

Buschel Rose, Wreath Rose Rosa multiflora is naturalized in Texas and other States and is considered an invasive plant in Texas.

The fragrance is wonderful! You can smell the bush before you get close to it.

This plant was introduced to PA by the PA dept of agriculture, who, in their infinite "wisdom" thought it would be a great way of controlling erosion on stream banks.

This plant, however, is spread rapidly by birds, and when it moves into an area, it will choke out native shrubs, perennials and any other plants it can push out. I've even seen a large clump of these climbing roses kill a TREE!! The only plants I've seen that can successfully compete with this menace (without killing natives) are bamboo (which, due to it rapid and tall shoot growth can actually penetrate a mass of this bush and ultimately shade it out), and our native trumpet vines (which are just about as good at climbing, rapid growth and spreading by suckers as this foreign invader is).

The only effective biological control (other than the aformentioned plants) is some type of blight (that originated, ironically enough, from our native roses) that causes deformed growth on the plant (ala witch's broom), followed by general wiltage and eventually death.

I found one good way to take out a multiflora rose thicket, and send it down for the count, is to first use either long-handled pruning shears or a machete (or, in my case I use my longsword) to whack off the outer branches (which can then be either chipped or tossed onto the ol' brush pile), then use a good garden shovel to dig up as much of the roots as you can. I've used this elimination method for well over a dozen multiflora roses on my property, and never had one come back.

This plant is considered a noxious weed in PA, so I terminate it with extreme prejudice.

This rose spreads like wildfire and grows everywhere.

It's hard to remove because the plants get so large and thorny and the roots are so deep and hard.

These are wild all thrughout Ohio, they are somewhat of a climber and you can see them 15 feet up a tree and they spray downward creating a lovely effect in the trees. You can smell this rose before you see it. Easily to transplant as well and grows with little to no care at all.

WARNING: Considered an agricultural pest. Birds eat the berries of this plant and propagate it to farmer’s fields and pasturage. Also harbors a plant virus deadly to other roses and the arrow beetle which spreads the disease.

This plant was imported from Asia circa 1900 by George Vanderbilt of Biltmore Farms, Asheville NC, In the early 1950s, Chauncy Beadle planted thousands of these plants as a replacement for fencing.

The examples of this plant that grow in the Biltmore Estate Rose Garden are kept below 2ft in height, to avoid the development of berries and consequent propagation

It is extremely hardy and grows in dense clumps. The flowers are quite small and almost always white. They grow in clumps of 8 or 10 and bloom all summer. The fragrance is light and sweet, attracting bees.

Pink and yellow varieties are hybrids and are patented.