Wild Rose
Rosa acicularis
okiniy(Plains Cree)
Alberta's provincial flower (officially adopted in 1930), found along woodland edges, riverbanks, and roadsides across the province. Also called Prickly Rose for its densely-bristled stems. Rose hips are exceptionally rich in vitamin C — up to 20x more than oranges. Used for teas, syrups, and jams. Sacred to many Indigenous nations. Pink five-petaled flowers from June–July give way to bright red hips persisting into winter.
Quick Facts
Distribution
Province-wide, Zone 2
Light
Full sun to part shade
Bloom Time
June–July
Soil
Adaptable — from sandy to clay, acid to alkaline
Water
Moderate; drought-tolerant once established
Growing & Cultivation
Propagation
Easiest by digging up root suckers in early spring — one established plant will produce many. Hardwood cuttings taken in late fall root well. Seed requires warm stratification (90 days) followed by cold stratification (90 days) to break double dormancy.
Pruning / Splitting
Cut back the oldest canes every 2–3 years; prune after bloom
Always verify plant identification with multiple sources before consuming any wild plant. This information is for educational purposes only.
