Carolina Rose
Commonly called the “pasture rose,” Rosa carolina is a low-growing shrub which is generally upright, but may sprawl if the plants grow taller than 3 or 4 feet. In early summer it bears an abundance of 2-3 inch wide bright pink flowers …
| Soil Type | Loam, Sand |
|---|---|
| Soil Moisture | Dry, Medium, Moist |
| Sun Exposure | Full Sun, Partial |
| Height | 2' - 5' |
| Bloom Color | Pink |
| Bloom Time | June, July, Aug |
| Spacing | 3' |
| Hardiness Zones | 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 |
| Root Type | Rhizome, Taproot |
| Benefits | Birds, Pollinators, Host Plant, Deer Resistant |
Commonly called the “pasture rose,” Rosa carolina is a low-growing shrub which is generally upright, but may sprawl if the plants grow taller than 3 or 4 feet. In early summer it bears an abundance of 2-3 inch wide bright pink flowers with yellow centers. The blooms are more plentiful in full sun, but this native rose is also more shade tolerant than most. Strongly serrate dark green leaves are a distinctive feature, and the stems are prickly with straight needle-like thorns. A deep taproot makes this rose very drought tolerant. It also produces shallow rhizomes and can spread vegetatively to form small colonies.
Native roses are visited by an array of pollinating insects, as they have easy access to pollen from the large-petalled landing pads. Both Rosa carolina and Rosa blanda are possible host plants for the Apple Sphinx moth, the Blinded Sphinx, Auotmeris Io moth, and the Cecropia moth. The bright red rosehips are a popular source of food for fruit-loving birds. Rosehips are high in vitamin C and can be used in teas.
