Share

Native Plant Database

Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

Search native plant database:
Name:    
Family:    

Rosa carolina (Carolina rose)
Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia

Rosa carolina L.

Carolina rose, Pasture rose

Rosaceae (Rose Family)

Synonyms: Rosa carolina var. carolina, Rosa lyoni, Rosa serrulata

USDA Symbol: roca4

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

A low, freely suckering shrub, Carolina rose grows 1-3 ft. high. From thorny stems are borne fragrant, 2 in. wide, 5-petaled, pink flowers. Flowers occur singly or in small clusters. The fruit, a hip, turns from dark green to bright red as it ripens.

The Carolina Rose is a member of the rose family (family Rosaceae) which includes about 2,000 species of trees, shrubs, and herbs worldwide; approximately 77 native and 9 naturalized tree species and many species of shrubs and herbs in North America.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Leaf: Green
Autumn Foliage: yes
Fruit: Red
Size Class: 1-3 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Pink
Bloom Time: May , Jun

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , NE , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , TN , TX , VA , VT , WI , WV
Canada: NB , NS , ON , PE
Native Distribution: Eastern U.S., w. to WI, IA, MO, extreme s.e. KS & e. TX
Native Habitat: Dry prairies; disturbed areas; sandy, open woods; thickets; roadsides
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry , Moist , Wet
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low
Soil Description: Rocky or sandy, well-drained soils.
Conditions Comments: Though one of the most shade-tolerant roses, this species grows best in open, sunny locations. It is susceptible to fungal problems.

Benefit

Warning: Plant has thorns or prickles.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Fragrant Flowers: yes
Attracts: Birds

Value to Beneficial Insects

Special Value to Native Bees
Special Value to Bumble Bees
Provides Nesting Materials/Structure for Native Bees

This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.

Propagation

Description: Propagated by seed, cuttings or stolon division. Separate and transplant stems arising from the underground stolons in late fall or early spring. Make softwood cuttings in early spring after vigorous shoot growth has just started. Semi-hardwood cutting
Seed Collection: Collect seeds as soon as the hips have turned red in the late summer or early fall. Do not allow the seeds to dry out.
Seed Treatment: Remove seeds from pulpy hip. Seeds require stratification (3 months at 40 degrees) and may benefit from scarification.
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.

From the National Suppliers Directory

According to the inventory provided by Associate Suppliers, this plant is available at the following locations:

Edge of the Woods Native Plant Nursery - Orefield, PA
American Native Nursery - Quakertown, PA

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Delaware Nature Society - Hockessin, DE
Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR

Bibliography

Bibref 996 - Gardening with Native Plants of the South (1994) Wasowski, Sally and Andy Wasowski
Bibref 946 - Gardening with Prairie Plants: How to Create Beautiful Native Landscapes (2002) Wasowski, Sally
Bibref 318 - Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Rosa carolina in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Rosa carolina in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Rosa carolina

Metadata

Record Modified: 2009-04-23
Research By: TWC Staff

Go back