Rosa palustris (Swamp Rose)

Cold hardy and wet soil tolerant, Rosa palustris (Swamp Rose) is an upright, bushy-branched, deciduous, suckering shrub with gracefully arching branches. They are clothed with finely serrated, pinnately compound, dark-green leaves that turn brilliant red in the fall. From late spring to midsummer, a profusion of extremely fragrant, single, dark rose-pink flowers, 2 in. across (5 cm), with a bouquet of contrasting yellow stamens are on display. They last for 6-8 weeks and are borne on stems covered with stout, hooked prickles. They are followed by abundant, pea-sized red rose hips that are eaten and spread by birds. Swamp Rose spreads by rhizomes and is a lovely shrub for a bog, pondside, or water garden.

• Grows up to 3-6 ft. tall and wide (90-180 cm).
• Best grown in full sun or light shade, in acidic, organically rich, boggy to wet soils. Tolerate some seasonal flooding.
• Perfect for bog gardens, and rain gardens.
• Attractive to pollinating insects, butterflies, and birds.
• Good resistance to pests and diseases. Provide good air circulation to promote healthy growth and control foliar diseases. Keep an eye out for black spot, powdery mildew, aphids, beetles, borers, scale, thrips, rose midges and leafhoppers.
• Prune as needed in late winter.
• Propagate by stem cuttings or division. Softwood cuttings should be taken with a heel and treated with hormone. Rose seeds should be taken from the hips as soon as ripe and planted outdoors or stratified before planting.
• Native to eastern North America.