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Swamp Rose

Rosa palustris

Swamp rose is the native rose for wet ground, thriving in marshes and pond edges where most roses rot. Clear pink summer flowers and red hips make it a standout for rain gardens. The tart hips are traditionally cooked into preserves — as with any rose hip, strain out the fine seed hairs first, since they can irritate the mouth and digestive tract.

Family

Rosaceae

Type

shrub

Lifespan

perennial

Height

3–6 ft

Spacing

3–6 ft apart

Light

sun, part shade, shade

Soil moisture

moist

Soil pH

acidic, neutral

Bloom

May, June, July, August

Bloom colors

pink

Wildlife value

butterflies, songbirds, larval host

Caterpillar hosts

~135 butterfly & moth species

Landscape uses

naturalizing, rain garden

Native states

AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MO, MS, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA, VT, WI, WV