Is this bush a gonner and what type might it be?

When we moved in the garden had not been touched in many years. This bush looked dead and was under a lot of rubbish , ground elder , ivy and such stuff.
Last year it grew a couple of lovely small pink flowers, they didnt look like roses at all and the flowering period didnt last very long.

Its very old , most of it is dead or dying and its only got 3 shoots on it , although they do look quite healthy.

What would you do with it guys , and do you recognise what type it is? I think it might be wild.

 

Hi Rob it could be Rosa Rugusa,but I am not sure.....wait to see what others think.

 

Rosa rugosa leaves are usually smaller, difficult to tell what it is!!

Val

 

Thanks guys , a quick google and it looks like it , it had two or three flowers last year that were similar.
Do you think it can be revived or has it reached the end?

 

I think it's Rosa Rugosa. Try taking cuttings from it if you want to keep it and if they 'take' get rid of the old plant. Rugosa grows quite quickly and being a species plant will grow true from the cuttings. It's a while since I've had these, but if I remember rightly they are perfumed aswell. They will also produce hips late summer and autumn.

 

Thanks guys , If I remove the canes might I damage the root system?
Also whats a hip guys?

 

It's a seed pod and looks like a large berry, it forms when the flowers die back, usually red or orange. Very pretty, you won't see those until later in the season though.

 

I agree that it is a Rosa Ragosa, I have one.
I think I would leave it except make sure it gets a fed and watered.
I use Chempak No2, if you see no improvement in about 6 weeks I would remove it.
But it is trying so hopefully you are lucky, it will be well worth the effort if it survives.
By the way I cut mine right down like that every year.
FA

 

Thanks guys , hopefully it will take off now that ive cleared the jungle away from around it.