Swamp Rose
Rosa palustris
Varieties We Bring In
Last received Mar 11, 2026.
We bring this in seasonally, so what is on the lot changes week to week. A received date shows when it last came in, not that it is here today.
Call (904) 471-0440 to confirm this plant and size before you make the trip.
About Swamp Rose
Swamp Rose (Rosa palustris) is a native North American rose species that thrives in wetland margins, stream banks, and boggy areas throughout the eastern US. It bears single pink flowers in early summer followed by small red hips that provide winter interest and wildlife food. An arching, thorny shrub with willowy canes, it is valued for naturalistic plantings and wetland restoration. Starting at $19.95.
Plant details
- Bloom Season
- Summer
- Flower Color
- Pink
- Growth Rate
- Moderate
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Soil
- Loam, Acidic, Wet
Best planting months
Seasonal care
New foliage emerges.
Bloom season. Higher water demand in summer heat.
Foliage may begin to change or drop. Ideal planting window.
Dormant — drops foliage. Can be planted in mild winter periods.
Care essentials
Swamp Rose prefers full sun for best flowering and disease resistance; part shade is tolerated but may increase powdery mildew in NE Florida's humid summers. Site where morning sun can dry foliage quickly.
Requires consistently moist to boggy, acidic soil — plant at pond edges, rain garden margins, or low-lying areas that collect runoff. It will not thrive in standing water but tolerates seasonal flooding. Irrigation is necessary in NE Florida dry periods.
Grow in organically rich, moist, acidic loam or clay. Incorporate compost into sandy soil before planting. A light application of balanced slow-release fertilizer in early spring supports healthy growth; avoid high-phosphorus fertilizers near water features.
Similar needs
Fetterbush
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, high water, acidic, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
Summersweet
Shares 5 of the same needs: shade, high water, loam, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
American Hornbeam
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, high water, loam, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
American Snowbell
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, high water, loam, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
Calla Lily
Shares 5 of the same needs: shade, high water, loam, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
Dahoon Holly
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, high water, loam, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
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Common questions
Is Swamp Rose a good plant for St. Augustine?
Swamp Rose is a shrub for Zone 9b coastal Florida gardens, reaching 3-6 feet × 3-6 feet.
Care information verified from
Last reviewed March 2026. Our care guidance comes from trusted horticulture sources and decades of helping St. Augustine gardeners. Conditions here can vary dramatically from one area to the next, so come ask us and we'll tailor it to your yard.