Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
Swamp Rose is a lovely North American native rose that grows on the Eastside of the Mississippi. It can be found in wet areas and tolerates seasonal flooding much better than hybrid roses.The pale pink single blooms attract bees and butterflies that depend on the nectar all summer long. Birds and other small animals depend on the red, juicy hips for food during the winter.
The upright growing habit of Swamp Rose makes this deciduous shrub an excellent candidate for an informal native hedge design or for zone 2 in a rain garden plan. This rose is a vigorous grower and spreads easily by underground suckers and makes it an easy choice for larger naturalized garden areas. Diseases and pests do not bother this rose. Deer are not an issue and rabbits are more likely to use the shrub as shelter and protection than food.
Swamp Rose Care
Native roses love to be in full sun, but they do tolerate shade early in the morning or late in the afternoon much better than hybrid shrub varieties. Regular watering will be necessary until Swamp Rose is established. Native roses are not drought tolerant. Mulching with organic compost or leaves will improve the soil and make it more moisture retentive over time. Soil pH can be anywhere from acidic to alkaline. Well-drained soil is required.
Pruning of Swamp Rose should only be done to control where this shrub spreads. Cutting out one third of the older canes each fall will keep this vigorous spreader in bounds. Fertilizing is rarely necessary. Over feeding of Swamp Rose will encourage mass amounts of foliage, not more blooms. Large amounts of weak new growth will encourage aphids to attack this plant.
Swamp Rose Spacing
Planting Swamp Rose as a hedge is very effective and provides good coverage in a naturalized area of the garden. The mature height and width of this rose is 6-7 feet. Spacing the plants out at 6 foot on center will ensure plenty of air circulation around the foliage.
Swamp Rose Plant Facts
Growing Conditions
- Hardiness ZonesGrowing Zones
- USDA Zones 3 to 8 (perennial); grown as an annual elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown indoors elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown in containers elsewhere (grown as a seasonal crop)
- Sun Exposure
- Part Shade to Full Sun (3+ Hours Direct Sun)
- Mature Height
- 6-7 Feet
- Mature Spread
- 6-7 Feet
- Growth Habit
- , Upright
- Water Needs
- Consistently Moist
Flowers & Foliage
- Flower Colors
- , Pink
- Flower Description
- Pink
- Bloom Time
- Summer
- Blooms On
-
Old Wood
?
"Blooms on" tells you which stems produce flowers, which decides when it's safe to prune.
- New Wood: Flowers form on stems that grow this season. Prune in late winter or early spring without losing blooms.
- Old Wood: Flower buds form on last year's stems. Prune right after flowering. Pruning in fall or early spring removes next year's blooms.
- Both New and Old Wood: Blooms on last year's stems and again on new growth, so it flowers even after a hard winter or a mistimed pruning. Prune lightly after the first flush of blooms.
- When to Prune
- Right after flowering
- Foliage Color
- , Green
- Foliage Description
- Green
- Foliage Type
- , Deciduous
- Seasonal Interest
- , Summer Flowering, Fall Flowering
Garden Benefits
Plant Overview
- Common Name
- Swamp Rose
- Botanical Name
- ROSA PALUSTRIS
- Plant Type
- Shrub
Simple Plant Spacing Calculator
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons
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This plant cannot be shipped to the following states: AK, HI. These restrictions apply only to this specific plant due to agricultural regulations or other limitations. Other plants may still be available for shipping to these states.
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