Dog Rose is a tall deciduous shrub with long arching stems. The flowers are larger than those of most other wild roses; they are pink and white and have yellow stamens. The leaflets are small and toothed. Strong, hooked thorns grow out of the branches. The fruit are red egg-shaped hips.
The flowers are exquisite and decorate hedges throughout Ireland at midsummer. The hips have occasionally been used to make jam and for medicine; they are a source of vitamin C. They must not be confused with the red berries of Hawthorn, which are indigestible.
The flowers are in bloom in June and July.
Dog Rose is common in Britain except for Scotland. It is widespread in Europe North Africa, south-west Asia and Madeira.