While hiking in a marshy area of north-central Ohio in the Springtime, I noticed this a perennial shrub that was just starting to get leaves. I went back to see it again in the Summer. Swamp Rose grows up to seven feet tall and is native to the eastern United States.
This plant occurs along stream banks, in swamps and along marshes. In swamps it is generally found growing on bald cypress knees or exposed downed logs. It grows best in slightly acidic, wet-to-moist soils in partial shade or full sunlight.
Its bright pink flowers are about two inches in diameter and bloom in late Spring through early Summer and attract a variety of pollinators — especially native bees. This shrub also provides thick cover for birds.
Swamp Rose is extremely fragrant and the pink blooms last for six to eight weeks in midseason – generally June through July. Indeed, I have found no other native flower that smells so strong and so pleasant.
The flowers give way to smooth red hips (fruit) that is red and fleshy on the outside with a mass of seeds inside the fruit. The rose hips are eaten by and spread by birds and mammals.
Its leaves are compound and the leaflets (usually 7) are oval-lance-shaped, with finely toothed edges. They are smooth on the surface and slightly hairy along the midrib underneath. They turn bright red in Autumn.
Like most roses, Swamp Rose’s petals and hips can be used to infuse liquids such as syrups or vinegars, and to make wine, tea, jelly or syrup.
This was a cool plant to experience while looking for reptiles and amphibians in a marsh habitat.