When does Carolina rose bloom?

Carolina rose typically flowers from May through July, producing single pink blooms that give way to small red rose hips in fall.

What pollinators visit Carolina rose?

Bees, butterflies, and beetles commonly visit the flowers of Carolina rose for pollen, since the blooms produce little to no nectar.

What growing conditions does Carolina rose prefer?

This shrub does best in full sun with medium moisture and well-drained soil, though it can tolerate drier sites once established.

Does Carolina rose lose its leaves in winter?

Yes, Carolina rose is deciduous and drops its leaves in fall after a period of colorful foliage.

How is Carolina rose used in the landscape?

Because it spreads by suckering into thickets, it works well in naturalized borders, slope stabilization, and pollinator gardens rather than as a formal specimen plant.

Is Carolina Rose toxic to livestock?

The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Carolina Rose as toxic to livestock.

Is Carolina Rose HOA-friendly?

Carolina Rose takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Carolina Rose

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Rosa carolina

Last reviewed: September 2026

Rosa carolina, or Carolina rose, is a thicket-forming shrub with fragrant pink blooms from May through July. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil across a wide range of eastern and central US climates.

Carolina Rose (Rosa carolina) is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for dogs or cats (aspca.org (opens in new tab), last reviewed 2026-05-21). If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Carolina Rose as toxic to livestock.

Light

full sun

Water

medium

Size

24"–72" H × 24"–72" W

Bloom

May, Jun, Jul

Native to

AL, AR, CT, DE and 30 more states

Pollinators

bees, butterflies, beetles

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Carolina rose is a native shrub that produces fragrant pink flowers from late spring through summer, followed by bright red hips in fall. This adaptable plant spreads by underground runners to form colonies and provides year-round interest with its thorny stems and colorful fruit.

Growing Carolina Rose

Grow Carolina Rose in full sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 24 to 72 inches tall and spread 24 to 72 inches wide. Expect moderate maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Carolina Rose takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: moderate. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Spreads aggressively by runners
Thorny stems may be considered safety hazard
Can look scraggly without regular pruning

Wildlife value

Host plant for spring azure, gray hairstreak.

The flowers attract bees, butterflies, and beetles during the long blooming season. Birds feed on the nutritious rose hips in fall and winter, while the dense thorny growth provides nesting sites and shelter.

Common questions

When does Carolina rose bloom?: Carolina rose typically flowers from May through July, producing single pink blooms that give way to small red rose hips in fall.
What pollinators visit Carolina rose?: Bees, butterflies, and beetles commonly visit the flowers of Carolina rose for pollen, since the blooms produce little to no nectar.
What growing conditions does Carolina rose prefer?: This shrub does best in full sun with medium moisture and well-drained soil, though it can tolerate drier sites once established.
Does Carolina rose lose its leaves in winter?: Yes, Carolina rose is deciduous and drops its leaves in fall after a period of colorful foliage.
How is Carolina rose used in the landscape?: Because it spreads by suckering into thickets, it works well in naturalized borders, slope stabilization, and pollinator gardens rather than as a formal specimen plant.
Is Carolina Rose toxic to dogs?: Carolina Rose is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for dogs (aspca.org).
Is Carolina Rose toxic to cats?: Carolina Rose is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for cats (aspca.org).
Is Carolina Rose toxic to livestock?: The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Carolina Rose as toxic to livestock.
Is Carolina Rose HOA-friendly?: Carolina Rose takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

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