Carolina rose

Plant Type

Shrub (less than 10 ft)

Life Cycle

Perennial

Typical Size

0.5-5 ft. tall
1-5 ft. wide

Tolerant of

Occasional Flooding

Inolerant of

Poorly Drained Soil

Propagation

By seed, By cutting, By division

Plant Propagation Notes

Softwood cuttings in early spring. Seeds require 90 days of cold moist stratification.

Plant Planting Notes

Provide up to 5 ft of spacing.

Plants/Diseases

Sometimes rose or Japanese beetles, thrips, aphids, and spider mites can be an issue.

Wildlife Benefits

Nectar/pollen source for pollinating insects, Host plant for butterfly larvae, Fruit/seeds for birds

Leaves

Leaves alternate, compound with ovate leaflets and serrate margins.

Flowers

Flowers pink to white with 4-5 petals, fragrant.

Fruit

Hip

Bark

Prickles are straight and often in opposite pairs.

Toxicity

No known toxicity

Edibility

Hips can be made into tea or jelly.

USDA Hardiness Zones

4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Light Exposure

Full Sun, Part Sun/Shade

Soil Moisture

Medium, Moist

Soil Drainage

Well-drained

Soil pH

Acidic (less than 6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0)

Native in South Carolina?

Yes

Plant Native Habitat

Pastures, roadsides, woodlands, and upland forests.

Global Conservation Status (NatureServe)

Secure (G5)

Federal Conservation Status (USFWS)

Not Listed

Distribution Notes

Common throughout South Carolina.

Subspecies

Rosa carolina ssp. carolina

Rosa carolina ssp. subserrulata