Multiflora Rose (Rosa multiflora) is in the rose family family (Rosaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 5,521 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in May.
Nationally it blooms mainly from May to June, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Multiflora Rose: observations by month (U.S.)
About Multiflora Rose
Rosa multiflora (syn. Rosa polyantha) is a species of rose known commonly as multiflora rose, baby rose, Japanese rose, many-flowered rose, seven-sisters rose, and Eijitsu rose. It is native to eastern Asia, in China, Japan and Korea. It should not be confused with Rosa rugosa, which is also known as "Japanese rose", or with polyantha roses which are garden cultivars derived from hybrids of R. multiflora.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Multiflora Rose by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | 690 | June | May–Jun |
| Pennsylvania | 513 | May | May–Jun |
| Ohio | 426 | May | May–Jun |
| Massachusetts | 377 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Virginia | 346 | May | May–May |
| Maryland | 325 | May | May–May |
| Illinois | 278 | June | May–Jun |
| North Carolina | 276 | May | Apr–Jun |
| Missouri | 235 | May | May–May |
| Kentucky | 232 | May | Apr–May |
| New Jersey | 195 | May | May–May |
| Connecticut | 180 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Vermont | 148 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Tennessee | 140 | May | Apr–May |
| Indiana | 132 | May | May–May |
| Oregon | 124 | May | May–Jun |
| Michigan | 105 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Wisconsin | 94 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Maine | 93 | June | Jun–Jun |
| West Virginia | 82 | May | May–May |
| New Hampshire | 81 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Iowa | 78 | May | May–Jun |
| District of Columbia | 52 | May | May–May |
| Delaware | 50 | May | May–May |
| Georgia | 50 | April | Apr–Apr |
| Rhode Island | 48 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Arkansas | 44 | May | Apr–May |
| Alabama | 34 | April | Apr–May |
| Mississippi | 30 | April | Apr–May |
| Washington | 22 | June | May–Jun |
| Kansas | 15 | May | May–May |
| Oklahoma | 11 | April | Apr–May |
| South Carolina | 9 | April | Apr–Apr |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (rose family)
Virginia strawberry
Southern Dewberry
Trailing Blackberry
Purple-Flowered Raspberry
Thimbleberry
Salmonberry
Mock Strawberry
Osoberry
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 Multiflora Rose?
Nationally, May has the most observations, with the main season from May to June.
Where is Multiflora Rose most often seen?
The most observations come from New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio.