Plant Data Sheet: By Sarah Short

Swamp Rose (Rosa pisocarpa)

Range, Climate

The Cluster Rose has a limited range, found in only the southern-most stretches of coastal British Columbia south to California and west to the summit of the Cascade Mountains, in zones 7 – 8. (5)

Elevation

Found in elevation less than 5,000 feet. (5)

Local occurrence

Clustered wild rose occurs on edges of marshes and streams, roadside ditches, and other wet areas west of the Cascade Mountains. (4)

Habitat preferences

The Cluster Rose is a Riparian species, preferring moist soil or swamps and is tolerant of seasonal flooding. (5)

Plant strategy type/ successional stage

Information not available.

Associated species

Information not avialable

May be collected as: (seed, layered, divisions, ect)

You can propagate wild roses from cuttings, suckers or seed. (3)

Collection restrictions or guidelines

Recommended to plant seeds in the fall as soon as they are cleaned. (3)

Seed germination

Information not available

Seed life

Information not available

Recommended seed storage conditions

Seed not planted in the fall needs to be cold stratified for 3-4 months at 40 degree F to break seed dormancy. (2)

Propagation recommendations

Scarification (nicking the seed with a knife or rubbing them with a nail file or sand paper) and stratification (packing seeds in a bag of moist peat moss in the freezer for two or three weeks). (3)

Soil or medium requirements

The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, requires well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires moist soil. (1)

Installation form

It transplants well and is one of the most dependable plants for wetland revegetation. (3)

Recommended planting density

36-48 in. (90-120 cm) (3)

Care requirements after installed

Keep soil moist so it doesn’t dry up during the summer. (4)

Normal rate of growth or spread: lifespan

This rose grows up to 8 ft tall with spread of 3-6”. (2)

Sources cited:

(1) Everett, Thomas H. 1980. The New York Botanical Garden Illustrated

Encyclopedia of Horticulture. Garland Publishing, New York, New York.

(2) Leigh, Michael. 1999. Grow Your Own Native Landscape. Washington State

University Press, Olympia, Washington.

(3) Hansen, Wallace W. Native Plants of the Northwest

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