Rosa glauca (syn. Rosa rubrifolia), the red-leaved rose or redleaf rose, is a species of rose native to the mountains of central and southern Europe, from the Spanish Pyrenees east to Bulgaria, and north to Germany and Poland.

One of the most cold hardy roses, Rosa glauca is a fabulous medium-sized shrub rose that can be relied on to provide interest and color. The foliage of this shrub rose is quite exceptional, a mix of blue gray shades with delicate overtones of burgundy and purple when in full sun, turning to silvery gray-green in part shade.

Rosa glauca, native to mountain areas in central and southern Europe, is a species rose that is grown in gardens today for its attractive glaucous purple foliage and its tiny, soft pink flowers. Many gardeners consider the foliage to be the best ornamental feature.

It’s Rosa glauca, the blue-leaved rose, and that’s why I grow it—for its beautiful foliage. I first came to know Rosa glauca as its former name of Rosa rubrifolia, meaning red-leaved, because they’re tinged with red, as are the stems.

Rosa can be deciduous or semi-evergreen shrubs or scrambling climbers, with usually thorny stems bearing compound pinnate leaves and solitary or clustered flowers. Flowers may be followed by showy red or purple fruits in some varieties. Grow in full sun with fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil.

Rosa glauca is an exceptionally beautiful rose, bearing small clusters of single, pink flowers with pale pink centres in summer, followed by round, red hips in autumn. Its a vigorous, arching species – perfect for growing at the back of a border or training as an informal flowering hedge.

(Species) 'Rosa rubrifolia'. Although the flowers are not remarkable, being small, single and pink, folllowed by good hips in the autumn. The plum-grey foliage is unique on arching stems. Makes a fine hedge and is also suitable for floristry. Is hardy and tolerant of poor soil and shade.

Rosa glauca is a broadleaf deciduous perennial shrub with blue and purple foliage. In fall, spring and summer pink flowers emerge followed by red fruit. Attracts bees making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens.

Depending on how and where you grow it, Rosa glauca can be a 4 foot shrub, or grow to as high as 10 feet. It will grow happily in part shade, and like most species roses, will accept less than perfect soil conditions.