Rose is one of the oldest and most recognizable flowers in the world. They have 100 species of perennial shrubs. But Do you know about Carolina Rose?

Carolina rose is a shrub of the rose family found in US states and Canadian provinces. Caroline Rose is also known as pasture rose or Rosa Carolina. So, are you eager to know more about this flower? Then let’s start with the origin of this rose species.

Origin of Carolina Rose

Carolina rose is a member of the Rosaceae family that has leaves with five to seven leaflets. The stem of this rose flower is greyish on new growth and brown on older branches. The flowers are light pink in color with a yellow centre. The Carolina rose is about six to eight centimetres in diameter and has five light pink petals. This rose has glandular hairs and occurs in dry soils, upland forest, dunes, woodlands, and savannas. They are also known as Prairie Rose, which is a native flower of Missouri. It is also found in Canada, Florida, and next to Texas. Carolina roses need well-drained soil to grow, and they bloom in full sun.

They attract birds and butterflies and have sharp fragments. Besides the water, soil, and light, Carolina rose needs little maintenance. 

Pro Tip: Always clean up the dead leaves around the shrub to keep this rose plant tidy. Composting the shrub in the summer season always helps to keep the roots cool. 

The basic things that you need for Carolina rose.

Carolina roses grow in full sun and need average moisture and dry soil. Just like any other plant they also need water, fertilizer, soil temperature and light.

 Water

As you know, water is essential for every plant. Watering in the morning is a beneficial point for the Carolina rose. Always avoid too much watering; otherwise, the blooms will rot. Average water is required in the growing season. This prairie rose is drought tolerant once established. 

 Fertilizer

Avoid using chemical fertilizer; instead use rose fertilizer or shrub fertilizer to help improve nutrient content in your Carolina rose. You can use manure or compost for topdressing that provides additional nutrients to the plant. Keep in mind that excess fertilizer can burn your Carolina rose. Water the shrub gently after applying the fertilizer.

 Soil

As you know Carolina rose grows in dry soil and well-drained soils which are sandy to loamy. Apart from this, it can grow in soil with some clay.

 Temperature

Carolina rose, or prairie rose grows best in warm summers, however, it can also tolerate harsh winter. Proper care, like feeding and keeping insects and pests away will help this rose to tolerate the harsh winter. 

 Light

Light plays an important role in every plant. The Carolina rose grows rapidly under full sun, it can even tolerate partial shade. If you plant a Carolina rose always keep in mind that it needs full sun for several hours per day to ensure the best blooms. 

How to fertilize your young plant?

Did you know young Carolina rose plants need extra phosphorus for development of the roots? Always buy a fertilizer with phosphorus and follow the instructions given on the packet at the time of planting.

How to fertilizing for established plant 

Fertilizers are important for the plant’s growth. Established Carolina rose plants need to be fertilized every few years. Fertilizers with more nitrogen help to grow green leaves.

Pro Tip:  Excess nitrogen is also good for vegetable growth. 

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How to plant Carolina rose?

Before you plant the Caroline rose always remember the below mentioned tips:

Prepare garden beds

Have you ever tried a soil test when you plant? Soil testing is necessary for every plant. It determines the acidity or alkaline level in the soil and helps you pick the best plants suitable for your site. Remove weeds from the soil and add 2, 4 inches of aged compost or manure before planting. If your soil composition is weak, then you can add a layer of topsoil and prepare beds for perennials. Organic matter always works better deep into the soil.

Pruning the flowering shrubs

Pruning is divided into four groups:

• Minimal pruning: Take out the dead and damaged branches
• Spring pruning: Encourages new growth that produces summer growth
• Summer pruning after flower: After flowering, remove the old growth
• Suckering habit pruning: Flowers appears 

Planting the shrubs

Now it’s time to plant the shrubs. First of all, dig a hole which is twice the size of root balls. If the soil is poor, dig a wider hole and mix it with the original soil and compost. Remove the shrub from the container and put it in the centre of the hole. If your shrub is large, then build a water well. And finish the process by mulching and watering.

If your plant is burlapped, fold back the top of the burlap and put it down into the hole. Gently buried all the burlap, if you have synthetic burlap then cut away for roots to develop into the new soil. 

Planting the roses

As you know, the Carolina rose needs a full sun. Before planting, select a soil site which is drained well. Prepare a raised bed for clay soils and dig a hole and once the centre of the plant has been set, fill the hole with water. Now remove the broken canes, bushes and roots and fill the soil with organic soil and water. Mound rich soil helps to protect the plant from the sun. 

Uses of Carolina Rose

• Fruit of Carolina rose is used in syrup and jam. It contains vitamin A, C, E, flavonoids, and other bioactive compounds and has a good fatty acid source.  
• You can use the carolina rose petals in salads. 
• You can mix  the seed with flour, or add it in your food as a supplement. It is a good source of vitamin E.

Various Types Of Rose Species

Did you know there are six wild rose species available on the current garden census and Carolina rose is one of them? The other rose species are:

Prairie Rose/ Wild Prairie Rose:

Also known as Rosa Arkansana. They are less than 40 feet in length and found in central North America. The name of the wild prairie rose comes from Colorado’s Arkansas River. They have little branches, and the flower is pink in color.

Climbing Rose

This type of rose is 4 to 12 feet tall. A climbing rose has short, stubby, and slightly curved thorns, and flowers are pink in color.

Prickly Rose

Prickly rose is 48 feet tall. It has erect branches, straight, unequal stems and the flowers are pink to dark rose.

Smooth Rose

Smooth rose is 12 to 36 feet tall. The branches are erect, and the flowers are white to pink in color.

Woods Rose

Woods rose is 10 feet tall. It has erect, reddish-brown to grey branches and slightly curved stems. The flowers are pink in color, and the leaflets are elliptical. 

Some other rose species

Rose species are the wildflower in the world of roses. These are not hybridized and have single bloom and five-petal flowers. Some common rose species are mentioned below: 

1. English Rose

English roses have a delightful rose scent and are disease- resistant. It is available in various colours and easily grows in any garden situation such as containers. 

      2.   Groundcover Rose

Groundcover roses are known as landscape roses. They are low growing and bloom from spring to frost. You can find these roses in single and double bloom form. 

      3.    Hybrid Tea Rose

Hybrid roses are garden roses that have long, straight and upright stems. They are a standard rose of the floral industry. 

      4.    Miniature Rose

Miniature rose is small in size but available in various types and colours. They are perfect for small gardens as the plant of this type of rose reaches upto 10 inches. 

      5.   Noisette Rose

Noisette Rose is a combination of China rose, and Musk rose. They are a type of old garden rose.

      6.   Tea Rose

Did you know the original tea rose is yellow? But it includes white, pink, and yellow shades to apricot.

      7.   Damask Rose

Damask rose is mainly found in the Middle East to Europe. These roses have strongly scented blooms.

      8.   China Rose

China rose is an old garden rose which is cultivated in East Asia. They have less fragrance and have small blooms. 

      9.    Bourbon Rose

Bourbon rose is found on the coast of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean. This kind of rose has a lovely heady scent and has few to no thorns.

     10.    Polyantha Rose

Polyantha rose is a type of modern rose and grows up to 3 feet. You can plant this rose flower in a container or small garden.

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Final Words

Rose seed takes two years to germinate. If your plant is more than 25 centimetres tall, then plant out in the summer season. If you are planting Caroline roses then you have to gently take care of this rose flower as they need special care. They are susceptible to common diseases such as fungi, rusts, and black spots and pests. You can plant this rose flower in your backyard and make your garden beautiful.