Rosa pendulina

Deciduous shrub of the Rosaceae family, found in the mountainous regions of central and southern Europe, from the Pyrenees to the Carpathians and the northern Apennines. It grows in high-altitude tall herb communities, conifer forest edges, stabilized scree, and cool rocky slopes, generally between 1,000 and 2,200 meters.

The size varies considerably depending on the location — from less than 40 cm on rocky flats and wind-swept ridges, up to 1 to 1.5 meters at forest edges or in sheltered hollows. One of the most immediately remarkable features of the species is the almost total absence of thorns on the stems, an unusual trait in the Rosa genus and immediately distinctive in the field. The leaves are pinnate, with finely toothed oval leaflets, often slightly tinged with reddish-brown when young.

The flowers, solitary or in small groups, are bright pink to clear magenta-pink, with five petals widely spread around a center of yellow stamens. In its natural habitat, flowering extends from June to August depending on altitude. The hips, elongated and pendulous when mature, are bright red to orange-red and constitute another characteristic feature of the species.

In cultivation, it appreciates well-drained, cool soil, in a sunny to semi-shaded position, and withstands harsh winters without difficulty. It is well-suited to large-scale rock gardens and mountain-inspired gardens.