SCIENTIFIC NAME: Rosa palustris

COMMON NAME: Swamp Rose

GARDEN SIZE: 3-6 feet tall x 3-6 feet wide

GROWTH RATE: Moderate; slowly spreads via suckers

USDA ZONE: 4-9

EXPOSURE: Full sun - 6+ hours of direct sun per day, ideally in the morning. Tolerates part shade, but flowers best and is most disease resistant in full sun.

WATER & SOIL: Medium, consistent water; avoid wetting leaves when possible. Prefers well-drained, slightly acidic soil with plenty of organic matter. Rosa palustris tolerates seasonal flooding but not consistently boggy soil.

HABIT (FORM): Upright bushy shrub with arching canes

FOLIAGE: Deciduous; medium green leaves made up of 5-7 leaflets. Fall color is red to burgundy. Reddish stems have prickles/thorns.

FLOWER COLOR: Light to medium pink with yellow stamens

FLOWER FORM: Single to semi-double

PETAL COUNT: 4-8 petals

FLOWER SIZE: 1-3 inches

BLOOM TIME: Late spring to early summer

REBLOOMING: No

FLOWER ARRANGEMENT: Clusters

FRAGRANCE: Moderate fragrance

PLANT ORIGIN: Native to North America, ranging across the eastern half of the United States and Canada

WILDLIFE SUPPORT: Flowers attract pollinators in spring and early summer. Rose hips provide food for birds in fall. Native bees nest in the hollow stems of dead canes during winter.

FERTILIZING: Rosa palustris requires minimal fertilizing. If you do fertilize, top-dress with compost or apply any nitrogen-rich fertilizer in spring or summer. Stop fertilizing in fall to allow the plant to go dormant for winter. Overfertilizing can cause excessive weak new growth that may attract aphids.

PRUNING: Rosa palustris requires minimal pruning. Remove any dead, damaged, or diseased canes, as well as about a third of the oldest canes each year to rein in the shrub's vigorous spreading. Prune in late winter while still dormant, prioritizing air circulation to discourage disease. When removing dead canes, leave 12-24" for native bees to nest in during winter, and allow the stems to break down naturally.

TOXICITY FLAGS: Roses are non-toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. Ingesting too much plant matter may cause mild gastrointestinal symptoms. Thorns can create small cuts if your pet rubs against them, and can damage the digestive tract if eaten. Remember to also check the safety of any fertilizers or pesticides used on your roses.

USES: Ornamental specimen, habitat and food for wildlife

DISEASE PREVENTION: As a native rose, Rosa palustris is somewhat less susceptible to diseases than other roses, but we still recommend following these guidelines to limit fungal infections:

Avoid letting water sit on the leaves when possible. Water around the base of the plant rather than getting the leaves wet (though nature sometimes has its own plans).

Always use clean tools. Disinfect pruners between every cut using rubbing alcohol or a 10% bleach solution (i.e. 1 ounce bleach + 9 ounces water).

Space roses to promote good airflow and reduce the risk of disease transmission from one plant to the next.

Regularly remove fallen leaves and debris from around the base of the plant. Replace winter mulch in spring.

In late winter, coat the entire plant with dormant oil to suffocate pests and control diseases.

If you have persistent problems with fungal diseases, consider regular applications of an anti-fungal spray like copper fungicide or neem oil as a preventative measure.

Another rose pathogen to keep on your radar is Rose Rosette Disease. Caused by a virus and spread by microscopic mites, it currently has no known cure. Symptoms include deformed, reddish new leaves, excessive thorn production, and stunted growth. If your rose bush is infected, immediately remove, bag, and dispose of the entire plant to contain the spread of infection.

PARENTAGE: Unknown

HISTORY: Unlike most rose species, Rosa palustris is native to North America, growing naturally across the eastern half of the United States and Canada.