Rugosa Rose
Leaf emergenceRosa rugosa
Rosaceae · broadleaf deciduous shrub · introduced
Last updated
Rugosa rose (Rosa rugosa), also called beach tomato or sea tomato, is a broadleaf deciduous shrub in the Rosaceae family native to northern China, Korea, and Japan. It reaches 4-6 ft tall with a 6 ft spread (5 ft at 20 years) and has a semi-erect, rhizomatous form. Rose-purple to white fragrant flowers 6-9 cm across are followed by large red hips. The coarse foliage is distinctively rugose (wrinkled).
Rugosa rose is hardy in zones 2a-8b and prefers full sun with wet-tolerant drainage (pH 5.5-7.5) and tolerates anaerobic soil. Twenty-seven diseases and 31 pests are documented. The fruit has the highest edibility rating (5/5) among the roses profiled. The species has weed potential through rhizomatous spread. Seeds contain hair irritants.
Plant Profile
Size & Form
Site Requirements
Ornamental Interest
Field Observations
Active Conidial Spread
Uredinial Stage (Summer)
Root Colonization Period
Peak Population & Dispersal
+ 8 more — see full disease and pest lists below
Diseases: Regionally Documented (26)
Pests: Regionally Documented (23)
Phenological Calendar
As of June 3, 2026, Puget Sound stations range from 2435.5 to 2672.8 GDD₃₂. Rugosa Rose has passed leaf emergence (770 GDD₃₂).
Regional Season Tracker
GDD₃₂ accumulation across 7 Puget Sound stations · as of Jun 3, 2026| Station | GDD₃₂ | Current Stage | Next | To Go |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Issaquah / East King | 2,673 | Leaf emergence | — | — |
| Kent / Auburn | 2,665 | Leaf emergence | — | — |
| Seattle / UW | 2,610 | Leaf emergence | — | — |
| Olympia / Tumwater | 2,570 | Leaf emergence | — | — |
| Tacoma / Puyallup | 2,535 | Leaf emergence | — | — |
| Bellingham / Whatcom | 2,533 | Leaf emergence | — | — |
| Sequim / Rain Shadow | 2,436 | Leaf emergence | — | — |
View full calendar (9 stages)
| Stage | GDD32 | Typical Window |
|---|---|---|
| ● Leaf emergence BBCH 11 NOW | 770 Observed | Mar 1-Apr 1 |
| Bud break BBCH 07 | — | Feb 15-Mar 15 |
| Flower buds visible BBCH 55 | — Observed | Early-mid May |
| Bloom start BBCH 61 | — | Late May-Early Jun |
| Bloom end / petal fall BBCH 69 | — | Jul-Sep |
| Fruit/seed development BBCH 71 | — | Jul-Aug |
| Fruit/seed maturity BBCH 85 | — | Sep 1-Nov 30 |
| Fall color / leaf senescence BBCH 93 | — | Oct 1-Nov 15 |
| Dormancy BBCH 97 | — | Nov 15-Feb 28 |
Source: Field observation, Issaquah, WA About GDD₃₂ →
Season tracker for Kent / Auburn as of Jun 3, 2026. Predicted dates use 16-day weather forecast through Jun 19, 2026, then climate normals.