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Native Plant Society of Texas

Climbing Prairie Rose

Rosa setigera

Other common name(s):

Family:

Rosaceae (Rose Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

This map uses data from the US EPA. EPA  servers have been offline frequently so maps may not display. We are working on a solution.

East Central Texas Plains, Western Gulf Coastal Plain
Northern Post Oak Savanna, Northern Prairie Outliers
Tertiary Uplands

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Shrub

Height

9
to
14
ft.

Spread

4
to
8
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Calcareous, Clay, Dry, Loam, Moist, Sand, Well Drained

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade

Water Requirement

Low, Medium

Native Habitat

Disturbed Areas, Grassland, Shrubland, Woodland, Woodland Edge

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Pink, White

Bloom Season

Spring

Seasonal Interest

Flowers, Fruit, Nectar, Pollen

Wildlife Benefit

Bees, Birds, Butterflies

Maintenance

Works on an arbor, pergola or lattice where leaves and stems can get air circulation. Prune dead wood and older shoots occasionally, after flowering. Native habitat: open woodlands and edges, thickets, clearings, pastures, along fences and roadsides.

Description

Blooms May-August. Can grow as a rambling shrub or twine up a tree. Has almost no thorns. Leaves are divided into 3-5 leaflets which have sharp points. Deep pink flowers grow in clusters at the end of stems. Bright red fruits, called hips, follow blooms in the fall.

References

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Softwood Cutting Softwood cuttings should be taken with a heel and treated with hormone. Ensure the cuttings are taken from healthy, non-flowering stems and planted in a well-draining medium. The best time to take cuttings is in late spring or early summer. 1) https://earthone.io/plant/rosa%20setigera 2) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=roset#:~:text=Propagation,open%20or%20stratified%20before%20planting. 3) https://www.gardenia.net/plant/rosa-setigera
Root Division 1) https://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/database/lppi/sp342.shtml 2) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=roset#:~:text=Propagation,open%20or%20stratified%20before%20planting. 3) https://www.gardenia.net/plant/rosa-setigera
Seed Scarification Rose seeds should be taken from the hips as soon as ripe and planted in the open or stratified before planting. old-moist stratification is required to break the dormancy of most rose species. Germination is in 2-3 weeks. Hips can be collected as soon as they are ripe. Achenes can then be extracted by macerating the hips in water and recovering the seeds by flotation. 1) https://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/database/lppi/sp342.shtml 2) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=roset#:~:text=Propagation,open%20or%20stratified%20before%20planting. 3) https://www.gardenia.net/plant/rosa-setigera
Hardwood Cutting Rooting hormone: Dip the bottom end of the cutting into rooting hormone powder, which will help stimulate the growth of new roots. Soil mix: Fill a small container with a mix of potting soil and perlite or sand to provide good drainage. Water the soil slightly. Plant the cutting: Make a small hole in the soil mix and insert the cutting into the hole. Tamp the soil around the cutting firmly to make sure it is secure. Water: Water the cutting gently, being careful not to wash away the rooting hormone. Keep the soil slightly moist, but avoid overwatering. Cover with a plastic bag: Cover the container with a clear plastic bag to create a greenhouse effect, trapping humidity and warmth. Place the container in a warm and bright but not direct sunlight location. Check the cutting: After a few weeks, gently tug on the cutting to see if it has rooted. If there is resistance, it means that the cutting has developed new roots. If not, put the plastic bag back and check again in a week. Transplanting: Once the cutting has developed roots, it can be transplanted into a larger container or outside in the garden. Prepare a cutting: Take a cutting from a healthy Rosa Setigera plant, ideally from a stem that is 6-8 inches long and has several nodes. Remove any leaves or flowers from the bottom part of the stem. https://plantiary.com/plant/rosa-setigera_10187.html

About the Region

2026 Fall Symposium Logo

This low-elevations region of Texas extends inland from the barrier islands, about 60 or so miles, and stretches from Brownsville to Louisiana. In total, it covers about 9.5 million acres, with a high point of 150 feet in elevation. More than 1000 species of plants can be found in this region. On the southern end, species more common in Mexico (such as Sabal mexicana) and Central America occur.

The barrier islands provide us with dune systems, and clay flats to the inland side, which have species found in these areas alone. Many plants here, such as Ipomoea pes-caprae (beach morning glory), can be found throughout tropical regions of the globe. I’ve encountered the same species on the beaches of Guam.

Once inland, vast marshes and wet prairies occur. Occasionally, oak (Quercus fusiformis) groves can be found. Common grasses include species of Bothriochloa, Paspalum, and Sporobolus; eastern gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides); and switchgrass (Panicum species). Many rivers and creeks cut through the Gulf Prairies, and along these riparian areas various species of trees, Sabal minor, and other plants adapted to clay soils can be found. Due to overgrazing, farming, and fire suppression, woody species such as mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) and huisache (Acacia farnesiana), and invasive species such as chinaberry (Melia azedarach), Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius), and Chinese tallow (Sapium sebiferum) have increased and displaced our native flora.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason