The virtually-daily rain this week has done a job on our Beach Roses, but I’m sure that these very rugged plants will survive the deluge and just about any other thing that Climate Change can throw at them.
The plant is deemed invasive in Maine and other states. In fact, ironically, it was imported from Asia centuries ago to spread in sandy areas and stabilize erosion of New England’s shorelines. Thus, its most popular common name is Beach Rose.
The plant also is known commonly as Rugosa Rose, Japanese Rose, Ramanas Rose, and, unfortunately, Letchberry, perhaps because of its invasiveness. It’s scientific name is Rosa rugosa, which relates to its rough and wrinkled (“rugoso”) leaves. (Images taken in Brooklin, Maine, on July 3, 2023.)