Ground rose
Rosa spithamea
Last reviewed: November 2026
Ground rose (Rosa spithamea) is a perennial shrub native to CA, OR. It blooms in May, June, and July. The flowers draw bees.
Watering reminders and freeze alerts for Ground rose, free in the app.
Ground rose (Rosa spithamea) is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for dogs or cats (aspca.org (opens in new tab), last reviewed 2026-08-15). If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Light
full sun
Water
medium
Size
6"–18" H × 24"–48" W
Bloom
May, Jun, Jul
Native to
CA, OR
Pollinators
bees
Before you buy
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Browse plants for this ecoregion
A low, thicket-forming wild rose that spreads by underground stems into loose colonies, with thorny stems and single pink flowers in late spring and early summer. Its spreading, suckering habit needs room to roam rather than a tight bed.
Growing Ground rose
Grow Ground rose in full sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 6 to 18 inches tall and spread 24 to 48 inches wide.
Wildlife value
Flowers provide pollen for native bees, and the thicket structure and hips offer cover and food for small birds.
Common questions
- How much sun does Ground rose need?
- Ground rose grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Ground rose bloom?
- Ground rose blooms in May, June, and July.
- Where is Ground rose native?
- Ground rose (Rosa spithamea) is native to CA, OR, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
- Is Ground rose toxic to dogs?
- Ground rose is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for dogs (aspca.org).
- Is Ground rose toxic to cats?
- Ground rose is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for cats (aspca.org).
- What pollinators does Ground rose attract?
- Ground rose draws bees.
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.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Ground rose? Add it to your garden in the Pollinator Patch App to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.