Swamp rose
Rosa palustris
Rosaceae


Landscape Uses:

Wildflower for natural, wet landscapes.

Ecological Restoration Notes:

Availability:
Commonly available at native plant nurseries in central Florida. Available at native plant nurseries in northeast Florida.
Description:
Shrub 3-6 feet tall with arching canes and pink flowers 2-3 inches wide. May form a thicket from underground runners.
Height:
Typically 3-6 feet in height.
Growth Rate:
Range:
Eastern United States south to Hillsborough, Polk, Seminole, and Volusia counties.
Habitats:
Swampy sites, floodplains, ponds.
Soils:
Wet to moist, moderately well-drained to poorly drained organic soils.
Nutritional Requirements:
High; requires rich organic soils for optimal growth.
Salt Water Tolerance:
Low; does not tolerate flooding by salt or brackish water.
Salt Wind Tolerance:
Low; salt wind may burn the leaves.
Drought Tolerance:
Low; requires moist to wet soils and is intolerant of long periods of drought.
Light Requirements:
Full sun.
Flower Color:
Pink.
Flower Characteristics:
Showy.
Flowering Season:
Spring.
Fruit:
Red rosehip.
Wildlife and Ecology:
Attracts pollinators. Provides cover for wildlife.
Horticultural Notes:
Comments:
We have been adding data for this species for central and northern Florida and welcome any feedback or review. If you would like to contribute information or images, please contact George Gann via the IRC staff page. See also the Florida Wildflower Foundation's Flower Friday page.


Shirley Denton
Shirley Denton
Shirley Denton
Robert Gundy, 2023.