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Swamp Rose Rosa palustris

Other plants called Swamp Rose:

Phonetic Spelling
ROH-sah pal-OOS-triss
Description

Rosa palustris, commonly called swamp rose, is an upright deciduous shrub with arching branches that typically grows to 3-6' tall and as wide. It is native to wet ground (swamps, marshes, ditches, stream banks) from Nova Scotia to Ontario to Minnesota south to Florida and Louisiana.  Reddish stems with curved prickles are clad with pinnately compound medium to dark green leaves. Each leaf typically has 7 (sometimes 5 but rarely 9) broad-elliptic, finely-toothed, dark green leaflets (to 2 1/2" long) which are pointed at both ends. Fragrant, single pink roses (to 2" across) with contrasting yellow center stamens bloom from late spring to early summer (June- July). Flowers are followed by pea-sized red hips (to 1/2" long). Leaves turn often attractive shades of red in fall.

It is best grown in acidic, organically rich, boggy to wet soils in full sun. It tolerates light shade, but best flowering and disease resistance generally occur in full sun. Plants will not grow in standing water, but will tolerate some seasonal flooding. Good air circulation promotes vigorous and healthy growth and helps control foliar diseases. Prune as needed in late winter. Plants slowly spread by suckers.

Seasons of Interest: 

 Leaf: Fall    Blooms:   Summer/late summer   Nut/Fruit/Seed:  Fall

Insects, Diseases, or Other Plant Problems:  This species rose is generally not susceptible to the disease and insect pests that attack many of the hybrid roses. For roses in general, potential disease problems include black spot, powdery mildew and rust. Potential insect pests include aphids, beetles, borers, scale, thrips, rose midges and leafhoppers. Spider mites may appear.

VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Carolina Rose'
'Carolina Rose'
Tags:
#fragrant#thorns#deciduous#rain garden#wildlife plant#native shrub#cover plant#showy fruits#disease resistant#food source wildlife#NC native#naturalizes#pollinator plant#food source fall#Coastal OBL#food source nectar#food source pollen#Piedmont Mountains OBL#bird friendly#mammals#food source soft mast fruit#butterfly friendly#cover plant winter#bee friendly#Audubon#insect resistant
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Carolina Rose'
'Carolina Rose'
Tags:
#fragrant#thorns#deciduous#rain garden#wildlife plant#native shrub#cover plant#showy fruits#disease resistant#food source wildlife#NC native#naturalizes#pollinator plant#food source fall#Coastal OBL#food source nectar#food source pollen#Piedmont Mountains OBL#bird friendly#mammals#food source soft mast fruit#butterfly friendly#cover plant winter#bee friendly#Audubon#insect resistant
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Rosa
    Species:
    palustris
    Family:
    Rosaceae
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Eastern Canada to Eastern U.S.A
    Wildlife Value:
    It provides excellent cover year-round. Its hips are eaten by songbirds, quail and wild turkey.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Native Plant
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Arching
    Erect
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Wet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Pink
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Length:
    1-3 inches
    Fruit Description:
    Red fruit displays from September to October.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Fragrant, single pink roses (to 2" across) with contrasting yellow center stamens bloom from late spring to early summer (May - July). Flowers are followed by pea-sized red hips (to 1/2" long)
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    curved prickles are clad with pinnately compound medium to dark green leaves. Each leaf typically has 7 (sometimes 5 but rarely 9) broad-elliptic, finely-toothed, dark green leaflets (to 2 1/2" long) which are pointed at both ends. Leaves turn often attractive shades of red in fall
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Reddish stems
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Rain Garden
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Small Mammals
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Diseases
    Insect Pests