Sale Sold out

Marsh rose

Name: Marsh rose
Brand: Akène
SKU: AKE-SEMGR1
Price: 4.99 CAD
Availability: InStock

Common name Swamp Rose

Latin name Rosa palustris

Quantity per packet Minimum 50 seeds

This native shrub greatly enhances biodiversity through its nectar-rich flowers and nutritious rose hips. It is also one of the finest shrubs for ecological landscapes in moist environments.

Product information

Product
identification

Common nameSwamp Rose

Latin nameRosa palustris

FamilyRosaceae

TypeShrub

CyclePerennial

Quantity per packMinimum 50 seeds

Code produitAKENE-0046

Product
description

Swamp Rose (Rosa palustris) is a beautiful native wetland shrub that combines ornamental beauty, biodiversity, and practical value. Its generous bright pink blooms light up the garden from late spring into early summer, creating a striking display while attracting many bees, butterflies, and other pollinating insects. Its graceful natural habit fits perfectly into riparian plantings, rain gardens, and ecological landscapes inspired by Canada’s native wetlands. With its excellent hardiness and easy care, it is an outstanding choice for gardeners who want to support wildlife while enjoying abundant flowers.

Adapted to rich, cool to moist, slightly acidic soils, Swamp Rose thrives in areas where many other shrubs struggle to establish. It grows well in full sun to partial shade and gradually develops a dense habit that can reach more than 2 m in height and width. Its green foliage beautifully sets off its large fragrant flowers, adding color and elegance to the garden. Once established, this native shrub requires little maintenance and withstands harsh Canadian winters reliably.

After flowering, Swamp Rose produces abundant bright red rose hips that persist into autumn and provide important food for birds and small wildlife. These edible fruits are also valued for herbal teas, jellies, syrups, and other vitamin C-rich recipes. Paired with Northern Blue Flag Iris, Joe-Pye Weed, and native Dogwoods, Rosa palustris helps create biodiversity-rich landscapes with strong seasonal interest. It is an exceptional choice for combining spectacular bloom, ecological value, and useful harvests in natural gardens.

Sowing
guide

Sowing periodAutumn or spring after scarification and cold stratification

Best time

Autumn or spring

Sowing depth10 mm (0.4 in)

Spacing / density

1.5 to 2 m (5 to 6.5 ft)

Germination temperature20 to 22 °C (68 to 72 °F)

Germination timeVariable, several months

Propagation

Propagate by seed after scarification and cold stratification or by suckers. Semi-hardwood stem cuttings are also an effective propagation method.

Growing
method

Sow Swamp Rose seeds in autumn or spring after scarification followed by cold stratification to overcome natural dormancy. Plant the seeds about 10 mm (0.4 in) deep in a rich growing medium that remains moist but never waterlogged. Germination is often slow and may require several months of patience. Young plants thrive in acidic to neutral soils that remain cool and moist throughout the growing season. This native shrub is especially well suited to rain gardens, riparian landscapes, and ecological restoration projects where it develops into a beautiful flowering shrub with exceptional wildlife value.

Soil
and care

ExposureFull sun to partial shade

Soil

Moist to wet, acidic to neutral, well-drained soil rich in organic matter. This species thrives where soil remains consistently cool and moist.

Soil pHAcidic to neutral

Watering

Regular watering is recommended to maintain cool to moist soil, especially during dry periods. This species appreciates more moisture than most native roses.

Fertilization

Apply well-rotted compost each spring to encourage vigorous growth, abundant flowering, and excellent fruit production. Rich organic soils provide ideal growing conditions.

Care levelModerate

In spring, remove dead or damaged branches to encourage vigorous growth and good air circulation. During summer, maintain even soil moisture, especially during dry periods. After flowering, allow many blooms to develop into rose hips for autumn wildlife interest. Light pruning in late winter helps maintain an attractive, balanced shape. Once established, this hardy shrub requires very little maintenance.

Container
growing

Recommended pot size

40 to 60 L (10 to 16 gal)

Swamp Rose can be grown successfully in a large container of at least 40 to 60 L (10 to 16 gal), providing sufficient room for its vigorous root system. Use an organic-rich growing medium that retains moisture while offering good drainage. Place the container in full sun to partial shade and monitor watering carefully during hot weather. This allows gardeners to enjoy its beautiful pink flowers and decorative rose hips even in smaller spaces.

Bloom,
harvest
and garden

Its abundant pink blooms attract countless pollinators, while its nutritious rose hips provide valuable autumn food for wildlife. This native shrub beautifully combines ornamental appeal, ecological value, and edible harvests.

This native shrub greatly enhances biodiversity through its nectar-rich flowers and nutritious rose hips. It is also one of the finest shrubs for ecological landscapes in moist environments.

Garden use

Swamp Rose is ideal for riparian plantings, rain gardens, and landscapes inspired by Canada's native wetlands. Its abundant pink flowers attract bees and butterflies, while its rose hips provide valuable food for birds and other wildlife through autumn. It combines beautifully with Northern Blue Flag Iris, Joe-Pye Weed, and native Dogwoods in ecological plantings. This shrub brings ornamental beauty, biodiversity, and edible value to the same landscape.

Bloom period

Large fragrant pink flowers bloom from late spring into early summer, attracting abundant pollinators while adding exceptional ornamental value to the garden.

Flower colorBright pink

Foliage colorGreen

Harvest

Harvest rose hips from September through November. The fruits are generally sweetest after the first frosts.

Fruiting

Bright red rose hips develop after flowering and often persist well into autumn. They provide valuable food for wildlife and can be harvested for culinary use.

Wildlife appealBees and pollinators

Size
and facts

Height1.5 to 2.5 m (5 to 8 ft)

Spread1.5 to 2.5 m (5 to 8 ft)

Growth rateModerate

Hardiness zoneUSDA Zones 3–8

Minimum temperature-40°C (-40°F)

Foliage typeDeciduous

Papillonstrue

Insectes utilestrue

Résistant aux cerfstrue

Planting
partners

Good companions

Northern Blue Flag Iris, Steeplebush, Red Osier Dogwood, Spotted Joe-Pye Weed

Avoid planting with

Lavender, Cotton Lavender, Sedum, Blanket Flower

Recipe
and inspiration

The rose hips of Swamp Rose are edible once fully ripe, especially after the first frost. They are traditionally used to prepare herbal teas, jellies, syrups, and many vitamin C-rich recipes. The flower petals may also be used to garnish desserts or flavor specialty dishes. This native shrub also has a long history of traditional medicinal use throughout North America.

Frequently asked questions

When should I sow Swamp Rose seeds? +

Swamp Rose seeds can be sown in autumn or spring after scarification and cold stratification. These treatments greatly improve germination and reproduce the species' natural life cycle.

Are Swamp Rose rose hips edible? +

Yes. The rose hips are edible when fully ripe and are widely used for herbal teas, jellies, syrups, and other vitamin C-rich recipes.

Why does Swamp Rose attract so many pollinators? +

Its fragrant, pollen-rich flowers attract a remarkable diversity of bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, making it an important early-season food source.

Can Swamp Rose be planted in a rain garden? +

Yes. Swamp Rose is one of the best native shrubs for rain gardens and wet landscapes. It tolerates consistently moist soils while helping stabilize streambanks and low-lying areas.

Is Swamp Rose easy to grow? +

Yes. Once established, Swamp Rose requires very little maintenance. It is exceptionally hardy and returns reliably each year with abundant flowers and decorative rose hips.

The availability of our seeds varies depending on seasonal availability, production schedules and supplier inventory. Certain varieties may only be offered for a limited time based on their natural growth cycle, sowing period or available stock. These product pages are designed to help and inspire gardeners in choosing the right seeds for vegetable gardens, flower beds, pollinator gardens, container growing, naturalization projects and sustainable outdoor spaces.