Rose of the Month

By Bill Belknap

Several years ago Bobbie Reed gave me a Swamp Rose, Rosa paulustris. Bobbie had started it from a cutting and gave it to me in part as I have a “rentention pond” in my back yard and, obviously, roses do not tolerate being in a wet environment - except for the Swamp Rose. Swamp Rose or Rosa Palustris is a unique rose in many respects and one that should be grown more often in the Atlanta area. The Latin name means swamp rose. As it's name implies unlike almost all roses it does not mind having it's roots in wet soil. In fact, you will even find it or can plant it along stream banks and in or near wetlands. I located mine in a “retention pond”, but it only takes a day or so for the water to soak into the soil. The Swamp Rose doesn't mind a bit. I have not pruned it in several years and it is now about seven to eight feet in height and width and still growing. Another unique feature of the rose is it is native to the South and East coasts of the US and tolerates disease and pests very well. I have never sprayed it for any reason. The only negative is that it is a one-time bloomer, but the blooms are spectacular. The first few years I had it I pruned it in the Spring along with my other roses and, of course, it did not bloom and did not grow that much. It much prefers just being left alone to do what it does best – grow and produce medium pink, fragrant blossoms. As with all of my roses, it is mulched, but unlike most of my roses I do not give it much fertilizer. I have Rosa Pulustris 'Scandens' which is a double of the orignal and recommend it over the original. As with many of my roses I do not water it so not only does it like wet soil, but also once established it tolerates drought very well.

This rose is not written up much which is a shame. The “ARS 2008 Handbook for Selecting Roses” lists Rosa palustris as a medium pink, Species rose introduced in 1726 with a rating of 8.1. I doubt you will find it in local nurseries, but it is available on line from several vendors. The only caution I would give when purchasing one is to be sure it is a 'Scandens' or double variety. I think the writeup from Antique Rose Emporium is excellent and sums up the rose very well: “Architecturally beautiful at all times of the year, the ‘Swamp Rose’ has graceful, arching, and nearly thornless branches with narrow, willow-like leaves. This is a native American rose, growing across the South and East in moist, swampy ground. Its ability to grow in poorly drained soil as well as in normal garden conditions make it an anomaly among roses, but very versatile in the landscape. No plant could be more beautiful weeping into a stream or reflecting pond. ...”

I have a couple of plants started from cuttings last year and two more which I started this year. So it is fairly easy to propagate. I hope you will give this rose consideration especially, if you have a wet garden area.