DOG ROSE (Rosa canina), was widely grown in Victory Gardens in England and America during World War II for its hips, exceptionally high in Vitamin C -- 20 times as much as oranges. The delicate pink flowers have a light fragrance. The name arose because in the 18th and 19th centuries it was used to treat the bites of rabid dogs. Perennial. Zones 5-9. Limited Quantity. 5 Seeds.

GROWING TIPS: It is challenging to grow roses from seed, but very satisfying! Rose seeds are dormant -- a survival mechanism that ensures germination occurs only when favorable conditions for growth exist. Sow in flats or pots, covering with 3xthickness with good soil. Press, water and place in the garden, digging part way into the soil. Cover with mulch over winter. When germination begins in spring, remove the mulch. If starting indoors, you will need cold stratify in the fridge 1-12 months until germination begins.

ABOUT ROSE HIPS: You may have to fight the birds for them in the fall, but rose hips are a treasure! You can do so many things with them and they are delicious! The large and juicy hips produced by the rugosa rose have a tangy, fruity flavor similar to cranberries. Best harvested after first frost, which turns them bright red and slightly softens them. They can be used fresh, dried or preserved. You can add them to your apple sauce, in soups and stews, syrups, puddings, marmalade, tarts, breads, pies, jams or jellies. They make a wonderful tea, by themselves or with other herbs, but you must boil, not steep, for 10 minutes to get the full flavor and benefit. Each hip is composed of an outer fleshy layer, which may contain up to 150 seeds embedded in a matrix of fine hairs, which should be removed before using the hips in a recipe. Rose hips have a higher concentration of Vitamin C than citrus, and were harvested wild in England during World War II, when imports were disrupted, as a substitute.

MEDICINAL: Rose hips are also an important medicinal, having been used since Roman times to treat a wide range of illnesses. Modern study has shown that rose hips have high levels of antioxidant flavonoids with known anti-inflammatory properties, useful in treating osteoarthritis. Danish studies showed a significant reduction in joint stiffness and pain, and general improvement in mood after 3-4 months of rose hip treatment. Rose hips also contain phytochemicals that protect against cancer and heart disease. Traditionally, rose hips have also been used as a diuretic and laxative and to treat flu-like infections. NO known side effects when used in normal amounts.

CHERRYGAL HEIRLOOM GARDEN SEEDS & PLANTS offer hundreds of heirloom and vintage open-pollinated varieties. Most have histories dating back centuries and are tried and true producers. Some are rare, or threatened with extinction. When you grow a plant from heirloom seed and save that seed, you are participating in a practice that goes back for generations. Our grandparents and their grandparents grew these varieties. Often the seeds were prized possessions carried to the New World when they emigrated.

Ever notice how most seed catalogs require you to buy (and pay for) much more seed than you could ever possibly use in a season? If you have a budget for garden seeds, this limits your choices! Although seeds can be viable for longer than one growing season, it requires that they be stored at a consistent temperature and humidity. Few of us do this. CherryGal sizes its seed packets for the home gardener, because we know you may want to grow 5 different lettuces, or three different corns, and don’t want to have to take out a second mortgage to do so! But at the prices most stores and catalogues charge, if you sample 20 different vegetables, herbs and flowers you will be spending $50 - $70! But, the same seeds at CherryGal.com will probably run around $25. CHERRYGAL SEEDS ARE A TREMENDOUS BARGAIN! Another important reason to grow a large variety of plants is that one of the chief culprits in honey bee colony collapse disorder seems to be that their immune systems are weakened by the prevalence of mono-cropping. In other words, bees pollinating only one variety crop have a diet equivalent to eating only bread. Growing an abundant variety of vegetables, herbs and flowers will help sustain our precious honeybees!

All seeds offered are FRESH stock, with high germination rates, tested by the growers and myself. Varieties are specially selected for home gardeners. If you want the flavor you remember from grandma's kitchen garden or the beauty of her cottage flowers, choose CHERRYGAL HEIRLOOM SEEDS.

ABOUT OPEN-POLLINATED SEEDS . . . All CherryGal Heirloom Seeds are heirlooms (dating at least 100 years) or vintage (mid-20th Century or older) varieties, with an occasional modern variety included which I believe merits special attention. All CherryGal Heirloom Seeds are OPEN-POLLINATED. This means saved seed will be true to the parent. Don't be dazzled by the never-ending array of hybrid seeds promoted by gardening suppliers. First, seeds from that produce will not grow true to the parent -- you have to keep buying the hybrid seed (get the picture?). Second, most hybrids are developed for market – not home -- growers with an emphasis on extended shelf life, storage and shipping qualities -- NOT flavor, texture and all those other elements that home growers seek.

All CHERRYGAL HEIRLOOM SEEDS come from reputable growers (most of them small farms) and wherever possible ORGANIC suppliers (so noted). By buying CHERRYGAL SEEDS you are supporting the growing worldwide movement of SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE and with a little practice you will be able to save even more money in the future by growing open-pollinated varieties and saving seed for next year. Please Note: CherryGal Heirloom Seeds are guaranteed to be fresh stock, but are not guaranteed as to results (sorry - we wish we could, but there are too many variables in gardening) so please do not ask to return. However, we think you will be pleased and would like to hear about your gardening success!

SHIPPING: I endeavor to ship my seeds as quickly as possible - usually within 24 - 48 hours. During peak seed season (January - June) this timeframe can stretch to a week or more because of heavy volume of sales. I do the best I can and fulfill orders in the order received. If a variety is on back order with a supplier and not likely to available for a week or longer, you will be advised and given the opportunity to substitute or cancel with refund. I package my seeds for shipping in a manner appropriate to the amount and type of seed - larger orders and larger seeds require more packaging. Whether you choose first class mail or priority shipping, your seeds will ship using a delivery confirmation number which will be supplied to you. Our checkout system is keyed to the US Postal System. For small seed orders, I recommend choosing FIRST CLASS mail at checkout. Larger orders (over 13 ounces) can ship either parcel post, though you may find PRIORITY MAIL actually to be less expensive. (I gave up trying to figure out the US Postal System rates a long time ago).

Lastly, I appreciate all my CherryGal.com customers, but have a special affinity for my seed customers. If you have a problem, please email me, using the contact links that are all over the website. Calling is likely to be a frustrating experience, as I do not have the staff to answer the phone and gave up my message system a long time ago because I was spending too much time answering messages instead of shipping and finding/growing wonderful things for my customers. But your email will be promptly responded to.