A genuine indicator of high-quality wetlands, swamp rose's presence in a site is considered a positive sign of wetland condition - its curved paired prickles and long-tongued-bee-pollinated flowers set it apart from every other native rose in the catalog.
Species Overview
Rosa palustris, or swamp rose, is an upright, bushy deciduous shrub native to eastern North America from Nova Scotia to Ontario and Minnesota, south to Florida and Louisiana. It grows 3 to 6 feet tall with gracefully arching, thorny branches, producing fragrant, dark rose-pink flowers with bright yellow stamens from June through July, followed by red rose hips.
Application
Wetland and acidic bog restoration - a positive indicator of high-quality wetland condition
Rain garden and pond-edge plantings
Erosion control along pond and bog margins - spreads slowly by rhizome
Streamside and marsh naturalized plantings
Growing Conditions / Specification Data
Light: Full Sun to Part Shade
Soil/Moisture Tolerance: Moist to wet, acidic soils; tolerates seasonal flooding but does not tolerate dry conditions
Plant Type: Shrub
Mature Height: 4-8 ft.
Fall Color: Red
Bloom Color / Period: Pink; June-August
Wetland Indicator Status: OBL - not confirmed AGCP-specific, see flags
Native Range: Northeast/Mid-Atlantic (full list)
Hydrology: Wet
Root Depth: Moderate (12-24 in.)
Salinity Tolerance: Low
Growth Rate: Moderate
Drought Tolerance: Low
Deer Resistance: Some
Flood Tolerance: High - Commonly called swamp rose for its wetland habitat; recommended as a shoreline-stabilization shrub for stormwater pond and wetland edges alongside confirmed wetland obligates.
Shade Tolerance: Intermediate
Growth Habit: Upright
USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-8
Pollinator Value: Supports bees
Planting Guidance
Distinguished from other native roses by its stout, paired, downward-curving prickles and flattened, pink-to-orange (rather than yellow) disk of styles. Its presence is often an indicator of a high-quality wetland site.
