The 5-petalled white (occasionally tinged pink) flowers of the Burnet Rose are a common sight on sand dunes and coastal areas from May to late July. It grows in small clumps or patches and reaches a height of 1 to 3 feet on sand, but with support from other bushes can reach 6 feet. The hips are dark purple in colour. The stems are covered in small thorns, which are straight not curved as in the Field Rose.