Roses Native to California

California has a complicated environment. The combination of the long ocean front and mountains means California lies in USDA zones 4 though 11, all but the coldest in the country. Native plants are an important part of the landscape in California and several roses call the state home. All of the plants are available commercially and should never be taken from the wild. Doing so would affect a delicate environmental balance. Another reason to leave them alone is the fact that they are used to living in the wild an co-existing with other native plants. Plants that you get from a nursery have been developed to live in the home garden and will be stronger than their wild relatives.

California rose
(Rosa californica) is a shrub rose that grows from 3 to 6 feet all. The plant features bright-green leaves and fragrant, pink flowers with red hips that bloom from May though August. California rose is native to California and Oregon. It is hardy in southern California and up the warm coast line. Plant in full sun, partial shade or full shade and a soil that is wet.

Nootka Rose
(Rosa nutkana var. nutkana) produces large, dark, long lasting flowers. The plant grows up to 6 feet tall, needs partial sun

Swamp rose
(Rosa pisocarpa) is a shrub rose that grows up to 6 feet tall. The plant can go in full sun, partial shade or full shade and a soil that is moist to wet. Pink flowers grow as singles or in clusters and the red hips stay on the shrub through the winter. The plant is fire resistant and attracts birds.

Woods rose
(Rosa woodsii Lindl) is a shrub rose that grows from 2 to 5 feet tall. White to dark rose colored flowers grow in clusters from May through July. The orange-red hip stays on the plant through the winter. It is found growing at elevations from 3500 to 7500 feet.

Wood rose
(Rosa gymnocarpa) the plant grows up to 3 feet tall and 3 feet wide with pink flowers This rose shrub is hardy to 15 degrees F.

Ground Rose
(Rosa spithamea) grows along the coast line. The plant has green leaves and pink, fragrant flowers.