Shrub
Swamp Rose
Rosa palustris
Varieties We Carry
StandardRosa palustris
Sizes & Pricing
3 galFrom$19.95
Fresh this week. Last restocked Mar 11.
LightFull Sun, Part Shade
WaterHigh
Mature size3-6 feet × 3-6 feet
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
Recommended forZone 9b · St. Augustine, FL
J
F
M
A
M
JNow
J
A
S
O
N
D
This monthGood windowOther 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
Light
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.
Water
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.
Soil & Fertilizer
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.
From $19.95Same conditions
Summersweet
Shares 5 of the same needs: shade, high water, loam, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
From $19.95Same conditions
American Hornbeam
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, high water, loam, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
From $250.00Same conditions
American Snowbell
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, high water, loam, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
From $59.95Same conditions
Calla Lily
Shares 5 of the same needs: shade, high water, loam, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
From $22.95Same conditions
Dahoon Holly
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, high water, loam, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
From $6.95Same conditions
You may also like
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.