Carolina rose (Rosa carolina) is in the rose family family (Rosaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,029 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in June.
Nationally it blooms mainly from May to June, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Carolina rose: observations by month (U.S.)
About Carolina rose
Rosa carolina, commonly known as the Carolina rose, pasture rose, or low rose, is a shrub in the rose family native to eastern North America, where it can be found in nearly all US states and Canadian provinces east of the Great Plains.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Carolina rose by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio | 182 | June | Jun–Jun |
| North Carolina | 121 | May | May–Jun |
| Pennsylvania | 114 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Virginia | 98 | May | May–Jun |
| Kentucky | 73 | June | May–Jun |
| New York | 65 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Mississippi | 49 | May | May–May |
| Indiana | 37 | June | May–Jun |
| Michigan | 37 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Maryland | 34 | June | May–Jun |
| Illinois | 29 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Missouri | 28 | May | May–Jun |
| Massachusetts | 25 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Arkansas | 23 | May | May–May |
| Tennessee | 19 | May | May–Jun |
| Wisconsin | 19 | June | Jun–Jun |
| West Virginia | 17 | June | May–Jun |
| Alabama | 12 | May | May–Jun |
| Maine | 12 | June | Jun–Aug |
| Vermont | 8 | June | Jun–Jul |
| New Jersey | 7 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Connecticut | 5 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Georgia | 5 | May | May–May |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (rose family)
Multiflora Rose
Virginia strawberry
Southern Dewberry
Trailing Blackberry
Purple-Flowered Raspberry
Thimbleberry
Salmonberry
Mock Strawberry
Photography tips
- Photograph flowers on calm, overcast mornings to avoid wind blur and harsh shadows.
- Get low: a shallow depth of field (f/2.8–f/5.6) isolates a bloom against soft color.
- Stay on trails — trampling meadows kills plants and ruins next year's display.
- Try a kaleidoscope abstract of a single bloom with our online kaleidoscope tool.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Carolina rose?
Nationally, June has the most observations, with the main season from May to June.
Where is Carolina rose most often seen?
The most observations come from Ohio, North Carolina, Pennsylvania.