Baseline research on growing roses in Wyoming is virtually nonexistent. To that end, a study was conducted to compare the growth of Rosa virginiana at three different elevations.

Sites were selected in Hillsdale at 5800 feet, Laramie at 7100 feet and Centennial at 8000 feet. The soil was not improved at any location prior to planting. A layer of bark was added to improve moisture retention. 8 seedlings were planted in Hillsdale at the base of a north-facing slope; 3 seedlings were planted in Laramie on the south side of the house next to a concrete porch; 3 seedlings were planted in Centennial about ten feet from the south side of the house. Because of the frequency of deer in the area, the plants in Centennial were covered with a wire cage. None of the roses received any other protection over the winter.

The seedlings in Hillsdale grew slowly over the first season; four plants lived through the first winter. These did well the second season, although there were no flowers. In the third season, the plants are getting larger; as yet, there are no flowers.

In Laramie, the seedlings did not survive the summer, as they did not get watered very often, due to the property owner’s absence.

In Centennial, the plants were watered every day and all survived the winter. They all came back in the spring of the second year; again, there were no flowers. In the third season, the plants are much larger, but there are no flowers as yet.

Conclusion: Care of newly planted roses is critical to root establishment and plant survival. Basic wild rose types do well at high elevations with proper watering and protection from predators.