On 2009-05-20 09:32:24 +0100, David in Normandy
said:

K wrote:
just say no to wimples and chastity belts writes
For those who don't know it, rosa rugosa is totally hardy and disease
free, will grow in sand, and if you keep deadheading it flowers all
summer.

Alternatively, if you leave it to its own devices it produces
gobstopper-sized hips which attract greenfinches and make excellent
rose hip syrup. You can make up for lost flowers by growing a late
flowering honeysuckle through it.

Rose hip syrup? That sounds like a good idea. I see a little googling
coming on.

I think it might also be a good idea to check on whether it's okay to
use hips from roses that have been sprayed. I don't know if the
old-fashioned rose hip syrup came from organically grown roses but we
know a bit more nowadays! And it may depend on what they were sprayed
with and how long before picking.
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Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.com
Exotic plants, shrubs & perennials
South Devon