Ground rose
Rosa spithamea
Last reviewed: August 2026
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
Your city may pay you to plant this
Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 431 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
Find rebates in your areaA 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.
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.
- 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.
Ready to grow Ground rose? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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