Habitat

• native to western China
• hardy to zone 5

Habit and Form

• a deciduous shrub
• 6' to 10' tall
• equal spread
• upright, erect branches
• medium texture
• fast growth rate

Summer Foliage

• alternate leaf arrangement
• odd, pinnately compound leaves
• 7 to 13 leaflets
• ovate leaf shape
• 3" to 6" long
• doubly toothed leaf margins
• sticky texture
• dark green leaf color

Autumn Foliage

• not ornamentally important

Flowers

• deep, red flowers
• 2" to 2.5" across
• blooms in July

Fruit

• red hip
• up to 0.25" across
• matures in July

Bark

• pale, stout stems
• covered in needle-like prickles

Culture

• full sun
• easy to transplant
• prefers well-drained soil
• pH adaptable
• salt tolerant

Landscape Use

• hedge
• for flowering effect
• specimen
• for seaside planting

Liabilities

• foliar diseases are common
• invasive
• non-serious pest problems

ID Features

• non-flowering branches more spined than flowering
• alternate leaf arrangement
• red hip

Propagation

• by seed

Cultivars/Varieties

'Geranium' - This is a more dwarf, compact form with red blooms.