Swamp rose is a deciduous shrub in the rose family (Rosaceae). It grows upright with arching branches and typically matures to 3 to 6 feet tall and wide. It is native to eastern North America. The specific epithet is the Latin word meaning “swampy” or “marshy.” It is best grown in full sun and in acidic, boggy soils that are high in organic matter. It tolerates partial shade but will flower best and be more disease resistant in full sun. Plants will not grow in standing water but will tolerate some seasonal flooding. Good air circulation is important to roses as it promotes vigorous and healthy growth and helps control foliar diseases. Prune as needed in late winter. Look at this guide from Illinois Extension for information on pruning shrub roses. Native bees nest in the dead, hollow stems, so gardeners are encouraged to cut back dead stems to 12 to 24 inches and allow them to remain standing until they disintegrate on their own. Read more about best practices for stem-nesting bees in this NC Extension publication . Swamp rose slowly spreads by suckers providing excellent cover for wildlife year-round. Fragrant, single, pink roses bloom from late spring to early summer and attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Flowers are followed by pea-sized, red hips that are eaten by songbirds, quail, and wild turkeys. Leaves often turn attractive shades of red in fall. Include swamp rose in native, butterfly, pollinator, and rain gardens. Use along ponds or streams and the edges of bogs. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers," a plant identification course developed in partnership with Longwood Gardens. More information on Rosa .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
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
Mature size
Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in. | Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Arching; Erect
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Elliptical
Leaf margin
Serrate
Leaf size
1-3 inches long
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Compound leaves generally have 7 leaflets that are pointed at each end. They are broad-elliptic with serrated margins. Leaves often turn attractive shades of red in fall.
Fall color
Red/Burgundy
Flower color
Pink
Flower value
Fragrant
Flower shape
Cup
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
2-inch fragrant pink flowers with yellow centers occur singly in late spring to early summer
Bloom time
Summer
Fruit color
Pink; Red/Burgundy
Fruit value
Fragrant
Fruit size
< 1 inch long
Fruit detail
Pea-sized red hips (to 1/2" long) display from September to October.
Stem color
Red/Burgundy
Stem detail
Reddish stems
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
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. Dead stems are used by stem-nesting bees.
Attracts
Bees; Butterflies; Pollinators; Small Mammals; Songbirds