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Description
Known by many common names, including sweet briar, sweetbriar rose, sweet brier, sweet briar rose, and eglantine, the Briar Rose is a dense, deciduous shrub growing up to 2.3 metres high and wide. Belonging to the rose family (Rosaceae), it is distinguished by its arching stems covered in hooked prickles and its aromatic foliage, which releases a strong apple-like fragrance when crushed.
This garden plant produces delicate pink flowers followed by bright orange-red hips that persist well into winter. The hips are famously rich in vitamin C, making rose hip tea a popular natural source of this vital nutrient across Europe and beyond. A cup of tea brewed from the hips provides the minimum daily adult requirement of vitamin C. During World War II, when food was scarce, the British relied heavily on rose hips, high in vitamin C, and hops as essential sources of vitamins A and C, giving rise to the wartime saying: “We are getting by on our hips and hops.”
Thriving best in full sun with well-drained soil types, the Briar Rose is adaptable to various conditions, including waste ground and disturbed soil. Its dense, prickly growth makes it an effective hedge or natural boundary, adding valuable structure and wildlife habitat to gardens. Valued both for its gorgeous pink flowers and its ecological and historical significance, the Briar Rose is a timeless classic for wildlife-friendly and traditional landscapes.
