Our rose society is beginning to focus a little more on practical uses of roses beyond their visual and aromatic beauty in the garden and vase, as there is quite an interest in culinary and even medicinal uses for rose petals and hips among younger gardeners. We haven't been able to find much information on best cultivars for tasty hips and petals on the internet, but are just beginning our search. And of course the roses also have to grow well in our coastal California climate, which limits the use of Rosa rugosa, which everyone recommends. Here are a few varieties we've heard of so far - and we'd love to hear suggestions of other roses which can offer tasty hips and petals as well as lovely blooms.
Altissimo - large hips, not sure of flavor
Bonica 82 - tasty hips if left on the rose til fall
Iceberg - hips but not sure of flavor
Julia Child - petals good in salads plus hips
Lady Hillingdon
Madame Berard - large hips, not sure of flavor
Montecito - large hips, not sure of flavor
Old Blush - hips, but not sure of flavor
Rosa rugosa ‘Magnifica’
Rosa californica 'First Dawn'
Rosa canina 'Laxa'
Sharon’s Delight (Moore mini-flora)
The Generous Gardener, Cl. (David Austin)
Winifred Coulter, Cl.