Planted at the entrance to the John Hope Gateway is Rosa hirtula. A native to Japan where it is found growing in association with, amongst others, Larix kaempferi, Cornus controversa, Juglans ailanthifolia and Acer japonica. This year the plants have a good crop of fruit, green at present, ripening brown. The dumpy, squat hips are covered in a mass of spines with a wide, flattened calyx end.  The plant itself has vicious upward facing spines on the purple coloured shoots. Growing to two metres with finely cut foliage which takes on yellow tints at this time of year.

Rosa hirtula

Rosa hirtula

Rosa hirtula