Pasture Rose

Pasture Rose

Rosa carolina

A compact native rose that produces bright pink, five-petaled flowers in late spring to early summer. The simple open blooms reveal golden centers rich in pollen, attracting a wide variety of native bees and other pollinators.

After flowering, the plant develops round red rose hips that ripen in late summer and persist into fall. These fruits provide an important food source for birds and wildlife.

A Hardy Native Thicket Former

Carolina Rose forms small colonies through underground rhizomes, creating low thickets that provide excellent habitat and shelter for birds and small animals. Its stems are armed with fine prickles and its foliage turns attractive shades of yellow and red in autumn.

This species is more compact and drought tolerant than many other native roses, making it well suited for naturalized plantings.

A Plant of Meadows, Prairies, and Open Woodlands

Carolina Rose grows naturally in dry meadows, prairies, savannas, and woodland edges. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and tolerates sandy or well-drained soils.

Its spreading root system helps stabilize soils while its flowers and fruits support many forms of wildlife.

Growing Information

Height: 2–4 ft

Spread: 3–5 ft

Light: Full sun to part shade

Soil: Dry to average, well-drained soils

Hardiness: Zone 3–8

Growth Rate: Moderate

Best planted in meadows, prairie gardens, hedgerows, naturalized landscapes, and wildlife habitat plantings.

Ecological Importance

Carolina Rose:

Provides nectar and pollen for native bees and pollinating insects

Produces rose hips eaten by birds and wildlife

Creates protective habitat for nesting birds

Helps stabilize soils in open landscapes

Associated Meadow & Prairie Species

Common companions in natural plant communities include:

• Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium)
• Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa)
• Smooth Blue Aster (Symphyotrichum laeve)
• Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)
• Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
• Showy Goldenrod (Solidago speciosa)
• Prairie Smoke (Geum triflorum)

Planting these species together helps recreate resilient meadow and prairie ecosystems that support pollinators, birds, and beneficial insects.

Planting to Protect
Restoring to Thrive 🌱
Origin Native Plants 🌱

1 Gallon Pots