Rose hips are everywhere this summer. The rosa rugosa plants are not native, but brought over from Asia hundreds of years ago. They love our climate and grow like weeds along the bike path, on road sides and along the edge of the beach. First, they bloom with the most brilliant deep pink flowers.
And then form rose hips that look good enough to eat, although they don’t taste very good. Years ago, I made the mistake of calling these beach plums (which are a totally different edible fruit), but the “botany police” corrected me.
They turn wonderful shades of orange and red and look as exotic as sea creatures, like mini octopi.
This fairy is in my how-to book, Felt Wee Folk .
SALLEY MAVOR 
Hello Salley,
Your post today brought back a memory. When I was a little girl in the U.K. my mum would make rose hip syrup and serve it over pancakes. Does anyone use rose hips in any recipes today I wonder?
Thank you for sharing, your photographs are always so wonderful.
Jenny
I found this while hunting for uses: In World War II, the people of Britain were encouraged through letters to The Times newspaper, articles in the British Medical Journal, and pamphlets produced by Claire Loewenfeld, a dietitian working for Great Ormond Street Hospital for Sick Children to gather wild-grown rose hips and to make a Vitamin C syrup for children. This was because German submarines were sinking many commercial ships: citrus fruits from the tropics were very difficult to import.
I also discovered that Rose Hips are chock full of vitamin C – but then you can read all about this fascinating plant here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rose_hip
I have to admit to ignorance – I have seen this fruity plant and the lovely flowers all my life and never known what it was. Proof positive that hanging around Salley can be sooooo beneficial! =)
I always look forward to your blog each time I see it in my email inbox. I’m glad there are so many like minded people in the world that enjoy the little things around them. I look to see the beauty around me, it may be in a crop weeds on the edge of a parking lot or a manicured public garden. If you look hard enough it’s around.
Thank you again for wonderful and useful information, along with gorgeous photos of The Cape. Makes me want to return there! My desktop file folder for your treasures is growing thicker…I just love all that you do and kindly forward on to so many of your fans! Bless you!
Beautiful photos! Rose hip tea lover here. I never knew the origin of roses at the shore, which my family has always called “sea roses.”
Truly the first photo just blow me away. I don’t know how you get these wonderful shots!
I’ve always read in novels about rose hip tea and never known from what it was made….thanks for both the info and the gorgeous pictures. NOW I know!
I have heard of rose hips but thanks to you now I can identify what they look like. The teas are so soothing. Imagine and Live in Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart
The smell of rugosas always make me think of Stoney Beach and the bike path…and the bell tower! I love them so much, thanks for reminding me that I wanted to make rose hip jam 😀
What wonderful photos. Love roses and rose hips!
In Sweden they make rosehips into soup, although nowadays people buy it instead of make it themselves. Rosehips have more antioxidants than blueberries. Why so many? They need them because of the long ripening time.