NATIVE ROSES

By Catherine Martin and Justine Kandra

I n 1986, the rose became America’s national flower, succeeding where more than 70 bills had previously failed.

While the rose is an international symbol of beauty and courage, it is an interesting choice for America’s flower, considering most popular roses are cultivars of European and Asian species.

Though not as ubiquitous in our culture as more popular roses, there are roses native to America—and Missouri. These native species have a range of growth forms, can be found in a variety of different habitats, are resistant to the most common rose diseases and support local insect and bird populations.

If you want to add native roses to your garden, the Missouri Botanical Garden’s William T. Kemper Center for Home Gardening recommends the following varieties:

Carolina rose, rosa carolina

Also called pasture rose, this is the most common wild rose in Missouri.

Prairie rose, rosa setigera

Sometimes called climbing prairie rose, this scrambling shrub will typically reach 4 feet tall but can climb 12-15 feet high on a support structure like a trellis.

Swamp rose, rosa palustris

The fragrant, pink flowers of swamp rose bloom from early to mid-summer. Red hips and red fall color offer additional interest.

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