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Pasture Rose

Rosa carolina, commonly called pasture rose, is a shrub which occurs in both dryish and wet soils. Typically found in glades, open woods, prairies, along roads and railroads, and in wet soils along streams and swamps and low areas. Grows from 1-3' tall (less frequently to 6') and often spreads by suckers to form colonies or thickets in the wild. Features single (5-petaled), pink flowers (to 2.5" across) which bloom in May. No repeat bloom. Smooth, dark green foliage. Red hips in late summer.

Best grown in average, medium to wet, well-drained soil in full sun. Best flowering and disease resistance occur in full sun. Water deeply and regularly (mornings are best). Remove and destroy diseased leaves from plants (as practicable), and clean up and destroy dead leaves from the ground around the plants both during the growing season and as part of a thorough clean-up during winter (dormant season). Crowns appreciate protection in cold winter climates.

As many as 20 moth species that feed the Carolina Rose. They are also visited by a number of different bees including long-tongued bees such as bumblebees, and digger and green metallic bees among others. While the flowers are sweet-smelling they provide only pollen; visitors receive no nectar reward.

Wikimedia Commons Photo: D. Gordon E. Robertson

Larval Host for the

Apple Sphinx Moth

3-6'

5-10'

SIZE

SOIL

Any, Mesic, Dry, Clay, Neutral, Moist Loam, Rocky, Gravel, Moist, Sandy, Medium, Well-Drained, Wet

LIGHT

Full Sun, Sun

BENEFITS

Butterfiles, Songbirds, Moths, Bees

NOTES

Avoid overhead watering. Good air circulation promotes vigorous and healthy growth and helps control foliar diseases. Summer mulch helps retain moisture and keep roots cool. Prune in late winter to early spring.

CHARACTERISTICS

Fragrant, Stabilizing, Tolerates Clay, Spreads Quickly, Flood Tolerant, Tolerates Wet

May

Shrub

This 

flowers in

Carolina Rose

Rosa carolina

DETAIL VIEW

DESCRIPTION

Rosa carolina, commonly called pasture rose, is a shrub which occurs in both dryish and wet soils. Typically found in glades, open woods, prairies, along roads and railroads, and in wet soils along streams and swamps and low areas. Grows from 1-3' tall (less frequently to 6') and often spreads by suckers to form colonies or thickets in the wild. Features single (5-petaled), pink flowers (to 2.5" across) which bloom in May. No repeat bloom. Smooth, dark green foliage. Red hips in late summer.

Best grown in average, medium to wet, well-drained soil in full sun. Best flowering and disease resistance occur in full sun. Water deeply and regularly (mornings are best). Remove and destroy diseased leaves from plants (as practicable), and clean up and destroy dead leaves from the ground around the plants both during the growing season and as part of a thorough clean-up during winter (dormant season). Crowns appreciate protection in cold winter climates.

As many as 20 moth species that feed the Carolina Rose. They are also visited by a number of different bees including long-tongued bees such as bumblebees, and digger and green metallic bees among others. While the flowers are sweet-smelling they provide only pollen; visitors receive no nectar reward.

Wikimedia Commons Photo: D. Gordon E. Robertson
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