As the crisp chill of frosty mornings announces the arrival of autumn, the garden offers up one of its hidden treasures: rose hips. These vibrant red and orange fruits, emerging from spent blooms, bring a dash of seasonal colour and charm to any outdoor landscape. Rather than deadheading roses on hip-producing varieties, let the hips flourish and reap their beauty and benefits.

Rose hips are not just ornamental, they provide a wealth of possibilities, from culinary treats to rustic crafts and offer a much needed winter food source to wildlife.

Here are three easy ways to enjoy these wonderful fruits this autumn.

Not only are rose hips bursting with flavour, they’re also packed with antioxidants and vitamins, especially vitamin C, perfect for boosting your immune system as the weather turns colder.

• For jam: Start by cleaning and de-seeding your rose hips, which can be a bit fiddly but worth it. Once cleaned, boil them until soft, mash them into a puree, and then combine with sugar and lemon juice. Simmer until it thickens into a spreadable jam. The result is a sweet-tart delight that’s perfect on toast, scones, or even stirred into porridge.
• For jelly: If you prefer jelly over jam, you’ll want to strain the boiled rose hips to remove the seeds and skins, leaving you with a smooth juice. Add sugar and pectin, then bring to the boil until it sets. The jelly’s clear, jewel-like appearance makes it ideal for an afternoon tea or even as a glaze for roasted meats.
  
• Both are incredibly simple to make and give you a taste of autumn you can enjoy long after the season’s passed.
  

If you’re feeling crafty, why not use rose hips to create a beautiful, natural wreath? Their rich red and orange hues are perfect for autumn and winter decorations, and they pair well with other natural materials like pinecones, evergreen branches, and dried flowers.

Making a rose hip wreath is simple. Start by gathering the hips when they’re fully ripe and firm. You can use them fresh or let them dry out first to ensure they last longer. Thread the hips onto floral wire or attach them to a wreath frame, mixing in your chosen greenery and extras to create a beautiful seasonal wreath that can adorn your front door, hang over your mantelpiece, or even serve as a table centrepiece.

Not only will it look fabulous, but the wreath’s natural beauty will last for months, making it a great alternative to store-bought, often plastic, decorations.

Consider leaving some rose hips on the plants for local wildlife, especially birds. As winter approaches and food becomes scarce, birds like thrushes, finches, and blackbirds rely on rose hips as a vital food source. By leaving a portion of the hips untouched, you’ll not only be helping these birds survive the colder months but also encouraging more wildlife into your garden.
Rose hips can add a striking splash of colour to the otherwise bare winter landscape, so leaving them intact isn’t just good for the birds, it’s good for your garden’s aesthetics too.