The dog rose, Rosa canina, bears an attractive burst of lightly scented, usually pink flowers in summer. These are followed by a terrific show of bright red hips. It’s fast growing and its stems are incredibly prickly, making it a good choice for an informal mixed hedge. It’s a great wildlife plant, attracting bees, butterflies, moths and birds. The density of its groth habit provides shelter for birds and small mammals such as hedgehogs.