Controlling multiflora rose
Multiflora rose is a prickly, vigorous shrub with long stems and thorns. It is native to Japan and was brought to the United States as a rootstock for ornamental roses. But this invasive plant grows aggressively and snuffs out other vegetation. Birds nibble on its fruit and spread the seeds everywhere.
Multiflora rose isn't good nesting habitat, either, because of its thorns. In fact, it used to be planted around prisons to prevent inmates from escaping!
This shrub can grow up to ten-feet tall in pastures, prairies and woodlands – anywhere the land isn't turned over. Iowa State Extension Weed Specialist Bob Hartzler says you can dig it out or try brush herbicides.
"These are used primarily as foliar applications. The best time for them is in the spring after the roses have fully leafed out, but before they bloom," says Hartzler. "And these basically are the same herbicides that people would use in their lawns to control dandelions and other broadleaf weeds. But because multiflora rose is a woody plant, use a higher rate than we would use for dandelions."
Because the stems touch the ground, they will set new roots. Hartzler says attack the plant when it's small.
"They are ignored and so they grow larger, then it becomes much harder to kill just because of the size. It's very difficult when you go out to try to spray them, it's hard to get good coverage because they can get so large," he says. "Acting quickly when you first spot them invading an area is the key to keeping the problem simple to deal with."
One treatment won't do it, because seeds can live up to 10-years in the soil.