Swamp Rose, one of Wisconsin’s native roses, is common in marshes, bogs, swamps, and along ditches and streams. Fragrant pink roses with yellow centers bloom from June to July, for six to eight weeks. Flowers are followed by bright red, pea-sized rose hips in autumn as well as deep red foliage. It is an excellent choice for wet sites, streambanks, and marshy open areas where hybrid roses cannot grow.

As the name suggests, Swamp Rose prefers moist to wet conditions in at least six hours of sunlight. They don’t grow well in areas of standing water but can tolerate occasional flooding. Similarly, they do not like dry conditions. With regard to soil, the leaner the better as it helps maintain a smaller and more manageable size for residential landscapes. Conversely, rich and loamy soil will send this plant into overdrive and it will grow and spread pretty aggressively. This is great if you want to fill in an area and are okay with free-ranging roses.

Swamp Rose has the tolerance of moisture extremes indicative of most rain gardens and is the perfect accent for such an area. Plant along the fringes of streams, or ponds and let them spread over time for a dazzling display of fragrance and color.

Forming a deep taproot and spreading through rhizomes, Swamp Rose can help stabilize banks and prevent soil erosion.

Less suitable for smaller pollinator patches, Swamp Rose is great for larger butterfly/pollinator gardens that need a filler. It is a host plant for several types of moths and bees!

Thorns make an excellent defense mechanism for this plant, but also an effective barrier or hedge. Swamp Rose spreads by subterranean runners and can colonize. Be sure to plant them with ample room to spread.

As the name suggests, Swamp Rose prefers moist to wet conditions in at least six hours of sunlight. They don’t grow well in areas of standing water but can tolerate occasional flooding. Similarly, they do not like dry conditions. With regard to soil, the leaner the better as it helps maintain a smaller and more manageable size for residential landscapes. Conversely, rich and loamy soil will send this plant into overdrive and it will grow and spread pretty aggressively. This is great if you want to fill in an area and are okay with free-ranging roses.

Swamp Rose has the tolerance of moisture extremes indicative of most rain gardens and is the perfect accent for such an area. Plant along the fringes of streams, or ponds and let them spread over time for a dazzling display of fragrance and color.

Forming a deep taproot and spreading through rhizomes, Swamp Rose can help stabilize banks and prevent soil erosion.

Less suitable for smaller pollinator patches, Swamp Rose is great for larger butterfly/pollinator gardens that need a filler. It is a host plant for several types of moths and bees!

Thorns make an excellent defense mechanism for this plant, but also an effective barrier or hedge. Swamp Rose spreads by subterranean runners and can colonize. Be sure to plant them with ample room to spread.

Price is for 1 shrub | #3 Container

Plant spread: 3'

Bloom: June, July | Height: 2' - 5' | Soil: Medium - Wet

• Food for birds
• Pollen and/or nectar producer

Description courtesy of Natural Communities

Photo by Malcolm Manners