Dog or Eglantine rose

Guernsey Donkey2

I am thinking of buying one or other of these roses.  From what I have seen and read both are suitable for the bees.  Has anyone grown/growing one of these can give me some advice please.  I only want to grow one - I know they can be used as hedging plants too, but I just have room for one - which conditions does it prefer, how do they look when mature, any photos or advice would be helpful.

Guernsey Donkey2

Thanks for your quick reply @Muddle-Up with gorgeous  picture too.   Is this the dog rose pictured?  Have you noticed the bees attracted to it?  Do the roses need a frame to keep them upright?  I must say after reading your description I am more tempted than ever to grow them side by side rather than just one alone.  Are they actually growing in damp/moist soil - I am assuming they will be. Our soil is very dry, so possibly not suitable - although perhaps they are easily adaptable to all conditions. 

Guernsey Donkey2

It certainly is a pretty flower @Muddle-Up, seems like they prefer something to climb - at the moment we have an established holly tree in the area I was considering which is far denser than our apples trees that are pruned annually.  I am hoping for a few more replies and advice on here, in the meantime you have certainly given me something to think about.

Ceres

Dog roses are absolute thugs. I have some in my hedge and they have a way of grabbing hold of my clothing and not letting go. They only flower for a week each year but the hips are glorious things. They put on a huge amount of growth each year and flop all over the place if they don't have something to climb through. I love them but if you want something a bit more refined, you'd be well advised to give them a miss.

Marlorena

“I know a bank where the wild thyme blows,
Where oxlips and the nodding violet grows,
Quite over-canopied with luscious woodbine,
With sweet musk-roses and with eglantine.” 

...Shakespeare's way with words still influences us today.... and in your case GD, there is simply no choice in the matter.... R. eglanteria it should be.... I would not even consider the dog rose personally...

''Not even among the roses shall we find a more delicious perfume'' [Dean Hole]...

..referring to the foliage there.. this rose should be planted on your south or west facing border, as the scent from the leaves carries better on moist warm winds..

''One of the most treasured of English wild plants'' .. ''glittering oval hips''...[G.S. Thomas]...    about 8 x 8 foot, with lots of big thorns... makes a tall arching shrub.... and best left to its own devices...

Marlorena

@Muddle-Up your 'Complicata' is beautiful.... 3 weeks of heaven.... hips too of course..

Marlorena

Incidentally, if anyone wants a 'Complicata' in miniature so to speak, I recommend the Austin rose 'The Lady's Blush'.... it's habit, thorns etc, are like a smaller version of this rose... the shape of the bush seems replicated to a shorter, rounded form... the flowers have more petals, semi double, and blooms all season...   very worthy, for a wilder looking part of the garden...

Guernsey Donkey2

Eglantine seems to have a long history and I must admit as in the case of the lilac tree brings back fond memories of my parents garden, and I thank you for giving it the thumbs up for a suitable rambler.  I will now give this plant a place in our garden/border.