ROSA PALUSTRIS / SWAMP ROSE

ROSA PALUSTRIS / SWAMP ROSE

A Native Shrub Rose with Fragrant Flowers and Wet-Site Tolerance

Rosa palustris, commonly known as Swamp Rose, is a native deciduous shrub valued for its fragrant pink flowers, glossy green foliage, and bright red hips. Thriving in full sun to partial shade with moist, well-drained soils, Swamp Rose is ideal for naturalized landscapes, wetland edges, and wildlife-friendly gardens. Its adaptability to wetter sites and seasonal interest make it a standout native shrub.

Why Choose Swamp Rose?

Fragrant Pink Flowers: Blooms attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators in late spring to summer.
Wildlife Friendly: Produces red hips that feed birds and small mammals.
Wet-Site Tolerant: Thrives along streams, ponds, and moist lowlands.
Low Maintenance & Hardy: Resilient and adaptable to native garden conditions.

Key Features:

Foliage Color: Glossy medium green leaves; yellow to orange in fall.
Flower Color: Fragrant pink flowers in clusters.
Fruit: Bright red hips in late summer to fall.
Height and Spread: Typically grows 4–8 feet tall and 3–6 feet wide.
Hardiness: Hardy to USDA Zones 4–9.
Sunlight: Prefers full sun to partial shade.
Soil Requirements: Moist, well-drained soils; tolerates wet sites and loamy or sandy soils.

Specifications:

Plant Size: 4–8 feet tall, 3–6 feet wide.
Growth Habit: Upright deciduous shrub with rounded form.
Hardiness: USDA Zones 4–9.
Flowering/Fruiting: Late spring to summer flowers; red hips in late summer.
Fall Interest: Leaves turn yellow to orange in autumn.

Ideal Uses:

Wetlands & Stream Edges: Performs well in moist and low-lying areas.
Pollinator Gardens: Attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
Wildlife Plantings: Provides food and shelter for birds and small mammals.
Naturalized Landscapes: Excellent for native plantings, meadows, and restoration projects.

Swamp Rose is a beautiful and ecologically valuable native shrub. Its fragrant flowers, edible hips, and tolerance of wet conditions make it an excellent choice for naturalized landscapes, pollinator gardens, and wildlife-friendly plantings.