The Best Shrub Roses for Poor Soil

Rosa Belinda

• The Rosa Belinda was developed in England in 1936. This hardy shrub rose produces pink, slightly fragrant flowers all summer and grows 4 feet high. It is suitable as a hedge or a container plant, as well as in-ground, and tolerates poor soils.

R. Eglanteria

• R. eglanteria (R. rubiginosa) is a very old rose, introduced before 1551. This rose grows 8 to 12 feet high and produces small, pink blooms in spring and summer. Its leaves are apple-scented, and it tolerates both poor soils and partial shade.

R. Petite de Hollande

• R. Petite de Hollande tolerates poor soils, but requires full sun. This compact shrub rose was introduced in the Netherlands in 1800. It produces small pink flowers with a dark center and grows 5 feet high.

R. Rosa Mundi

• R. Rosa Mundi, also known as R. gallica versicolor or R. gallica variegata, was introduced sometime in the 16th century. This rose shrub grows 4 feet high and produces white, yellow, pink and red flowers on the same bush. It has few thorns and blooms in summer.

White Rose of York

• The White Rose of York, also known as Maxima, Jacobite Rose and Great White Rose, has been around since the 15th century or earlier. The plant grows 7 feet high and produces creamy double blossoms.

Alain Blanchard

• Alain Blanchard was introduced in 1839. This hardy old shrub rose grows 5 feet high by 4 feet wide, on vigorous, thorned stems. The plant produces highly fragrant crimson or deep pink blooms with yellow stamens. Alain Blanchard tolerates poor soils and shade.

Belle Poitevine

• Belle Poitevine is a hardy shrub rose that grows 6 to 8 feet high and is often used as a hedge rose. This plant was introduced in 1894, and produces fragrant, deep pink flowers with yellow stamens. Belle Poitevine is tolerant of shade and poor soils.