Rose xanthina Canary Bird – Shrub Rose

An old, very early, once-flowering cultivar of the species, Rosa xanthina Canary Bird is a medium-sized to large, deciduous shrub rose with a graceful, spreading habit and arching stems. The delicate foliage is ferny and grey-green, a beautiful foil for the flowers. In May, the shrub is covered with lightly-scented, canary-yellow, single flowers with prominent golden stamens. There is sometimes a smaller second flush of bloom in September. The flowers are very attractive to pollinators, and are followed by round, maroon hips. Rose Canary Bird is suitable for hedging, and can also be trained against a wall; it’s also good in a naturalistic planting. This rose needs little in the way of pruning – just prune out any dead stems and occasionally take out an old stem at the base. Rose Canary Bird holds the RHS Award of Garden Merit.

Site: Tolerates exposure
Soil: Any moisture-retentive, humus-rich, well-drained soil
Position: Best in light dappled shade
Season of interest: Late spring and autumn
Hardiness: Very hardy
Height: 8’ (2.5m) Spread: 7’ (2.1m) after 2-5 years