Wild Roses

This year is the first time this wild rose has bloomed in our yard. They are growing along the edge of the woods mixed into brush.

The Pasture Rose, (Carolina Rose ) is a native plant to the eastern and central parts of North America, from zones 4 to 9. It is a deciduous shrub type plant and a member of the rose family, Rosaceae. Growing from a height of 3 to 6 feet and a spread of 5 to 10 feet, this plant produces a beautiful pink flower.

Conditions that it likes to grow in is an area of full sun and a moist, loamy soil that is well drained. Allowing this plant to grow in full sun will give it the environment needed to provide the best flowering and to prevent disease. It is more resistant to diseases of it's foliage than most hybrid roses. Good air circulation is very important in growing a healthy plant. Pruning should be done in late winter to early spring.

The flowers of the pasture rose is about 2 1/2 to 3 inches in diameter, each flower consists of 5 pedals, 5 green pointed sepals, a numerous amount of bright yellow stamens and a flat wide pistil structure in the center of the flower. This plant blooms early summer. lasting for about a month. After the blooms have finished, a bright red hips will appear, usually flattened if compared to most wild roses.

The root system of this plant consists of a central taproot that penetrates deeply into the soil and occasionally branching. Shallow rhizomes allow this plant to spread it's vegetation and form small colonies.

The pasture rose is an excellent choice to be planted in mass borders, rose gardens and to naturalize an area of your yard, along with being included in a nature garden to attract wildlife to your backyard.

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