If you want a 'no care' garden consider some of the species roses which are grown for perfumed flowers or for their ferny,coloured or fragrant foliage, and in some species the hips are the major feature. They can be used as hedges, ground covers, climbers or specimens. There are Species roses that will suit every climate within Australia from cold and wet to extremely hot and dry.

Species roses tolerate poor soils and the only maintenance they need is cutting out any dead wood annually when they are dormant.

Some of us will already be familiar with the Banksia roses (Banksianae) - They are virtually evergreen and flower in early spring for a long period. R.banksiae lutea - a double yellow came out of China in 1825 and was widely used by early Australian settlers.It is still a very popular rose today. R.banksiae lutescens - a single yellow came from China in 1870.It has a sweet scent. R.banksiae normalis - a single white one which apparently smells like violets. R.banksiae alba plena - is a double white one. Other lovely species roses that are well known garden plants are R. bracteata and R.laevigata both have large and very beautiful single white flowers. R.bracteata will flower from spring until winter.

Also there are the species Rugosas with their rough, disease free foliage and large very delicate looking single flowers-they repeat flower and have autumn toned foliage. Not forgetting the monster climber that will eat houses and trees R.filipes 'Kiftsgate' which wafts a sweet musky perfume for a considerable distance from where it grows. So if you think you can't grow roses where you live? Try some of these tough, versatile and beautiful roses in your garden and they will strut their stuff for you.

R.filipes 'Kiftsgate'

For the Foliage Several species take on coloured foliage in autumn. Colouring can include; golds, russet and several shades of red. Other species roses are grown for their decorative ferny foliage or leaf colour. From all shades of green,through grey green/blue and into the plum colours of R.glauca.

Here are just a few:

R.fedtchenkoana - It's been discovered that this rose is the parent of the original Damasks including the remontant types. It has 5cm white flowers and blooms continuously from early spring until late autumn. Foliage is grey,new canes are white and the many long slender prickles are crimson. Hips are long,pear shaped and bright red. It grows to 2.5 metres high.

R.glauca-(syn-R.rubrifolia) - This rose has very beautiful foliage and sets many small hips. The flowers are light crimson, 2 cms, have very long sepals and come in clusters up to 15. The hips are 1.5 cms,plentiful and last well into winter. The foliage is plum/purple when grown in shade, but grey/blue and more crimson underneath when in sun. Young canes are purple with a dusty white bloom which gives the impression of blueness the exact shade varies between plants. It grows to around 2 metres and would make a fine specimen planting.

R.nitida-nitida (means shining) - This rose has very glossy leaves, flowers are bright pink which faded toward the centre with a thick cluster of pale yellow stamens. They are around 5cms and are usually borne singly but sometimes in twos or threes. Hips follow and are 1cm round,bristly and orange/red in colour. Foliage is attractive with narrow leaflets that take on autumn colours of brilliant red and yellow. It is very tolerant of adverse conditions. This is a small grower to 80cms and is suitable for small gardens.

For Hips: All species roses set hips but some are considered exceptional for their autumn and winter beauty. Hips may be smooth, shiny,bristly, variously shaped, ripen to yellow, red, maroon or black and can stand upright or hang very decoratively. There are many but here are just a few worthy of consideration.

R.spinossissima 'Altaica' - It blooms once a year for a long period from early spring to late summer.It has 5cm flowers of cream in small clusters that are borne along the length of the canes with a fruity perfume. The flowers are followed by unusual large black hips. Foliage is dainty and prickles are present but moderate in comparison to other varieties. It grows to 2 metres tall.

R.davidii - grows to 2 metres tall and is a fine looking shrub both in flower and later when covered in hips. The flowers are around 4 cms,borne in loose coryms, rose pink with white centres and golden stamens. The sepals have a pleasant resinous smell, are long and frame the flowers. The leaflets are long and narrow. The main attraction is the hips which are pendulous, flagon shaped and red. They are borne all along the main branches.

R.moyesii - This rose was very popular as a garden rose in the early 20th century after its introduction from China and is still widely grown. This is a large arching shrub to 4 metres so needs a large space for planting. It is a variable species and flowers can be either pink, deep red or crimson and are 5cms in size. However it is grown mainly for its hips which are 5 to 6 cms long, bright orange/red and flagon shaped. Named varieties are 'Geranium' and 'Highdownensis'.

R.villosa (syn R.pomifera-meaning apple bearing) - This is another variable species but has both wonderful grey/green foliage and large apple shaped hips which are 3 to 4 cms and dark red. Hips can be variously bristly or smooth. Other roses for large hips and interesting foliage are R.rugosa and R.sweginzowii macrocarpa.

For sandy soils try R.rugosa, R.spinosissima or R.eglanteria (sweet briar). For climbing into trees- R.arvensis, R.brunonii, R.filipes, R.gentiliana, R.helenae and R.Mulliganii.

Procumbent roses that spread along the ground - R.paulii and R.wichuraiana

Check with your local rose grower or nursery for availability on species roses-Some large rose nurseries stock them but if not they can more than probably order them in for you.