Flower profile

Nootka rose

Rosa nutkana

Nootka rose (Rosa nutkana) is a low shrub in the Rosaceae family, native in the lower 48 states, blooming mostly May–June across the U.S.

Native to Washington

Nootka rose is a flowering plant that USDA PLANTS lists as native in the lower 48 states. In Washington it's most often seen in bloom in May–June.

11states where USDA records it

2,001WA sightings*

3,374U.S. sightings*

*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.

On our lists for: Washington

Quick look

Rosa nutkana, the Nootka rose, bristly rose, or wild rose is a 0.6–3.0-metre-tall (2–10-foot) perennial shrub in the rose family (Rosaceae).
From Wikipedia's article Rosa nutkana, CC BY-SA 4.0.

It belongs to the Rosaceae family. ^iNaturalist
USDA PLANTS describes it as a subshrub with a perennial life cycle. ^{USDA PLANTS}
USDA PLANTS lists it as native in the lower 48 states and records it in 11 states. ^{USDA PLANTS}
NatureServe lists it as native to Washington. ^NatureServe
In Washington, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in May–June. ^iNaturalist
USDA PLANTS lists its flower color as red. ^{USDA PLANTS}
USDA PLANTS gives its bloom period as late spring. ^{USDA PLANTS}
USDA PLANTS lists a mature height of about 10 ft. ^{USDA PLANTS}
iNaturalist has 2,001 research-grade sightings of it in Washington, ranking #95 among the 187 flowers on our Washington list. ^iNaturalist

When does it bloom?

In Washington, most flowering sightings come in May–June.

Flowering records by month in Washington (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (273 records)

Conservation status

Federal (U.S. ESA): Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. ^{USFWS ECOS}
NatureServe global: G5 Secure worldwide. ^NatureServe
Washington: No list Washington has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants (the Washington Natural Heritage Program's rare plant list isn't regulatory), so we show NatureServe's Washington ranks instead. NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Washington.
Rare elsewhere: Other states where NatureServe ranks it rare or missing: NV (S1). (S1 critically imperiled, S2 imperiled, SH possibly extirpated, SX presumed extirpated.)

Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.

Can you eat it?

For peopleNot well documented

None of the sources we checked (NC State Extension (no page for this plant), USDA PLANTS) say whether it's edible or poisonous for people.

For petsNon-toxic to dogs, cats and horses

ASPCA's entry “Rose” (Rosa Species), which covers the whole genus, lists it as non-toxic to dogs, cats and horses. Eating lots of any plant can still upset a pet's stomach. ^ASPCA

🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.

Where does it grow?

USDA PLANTS records nootka rose in 11 states.

AKMEVTNHWAIDMTNDMNILWIMINYRIMAORNVWYSDIAINOHPANJCTCAUTCONEMOKYWVVAMDDEAZNMKSARTNNCSCDCOKLAMSALGAHITXFL

recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

Alaska, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming.

Washington counties with USDA records: Asotin, Chelan, Clallam, Clark, Columbia, Cowlitz, Douglas, Ferry, Garfield, Grays Harbor, Island, Jefferson, King, Kitsap, Kittitas, Klickitat, Lewis, Mason, Okanogan, Pacific, Pend Oreille, Pierce, San Juan, Skagit, Skamania, Snohomish, Spokane, Stevens, Thurston, Wahkiakum, Walla Walla, Whatcom, Whitman, Yakima.

Growing conditions

USDA PLANTS gives Nootka rose a low shade tolerance, low drought tolerance and high moisture use. It is rated for soil pH 6.5 to 7.0 and winter lows down to 7 °F.

Shade tolerance: Low
Drought tolerance: Low
Moisture use: High
Soil textures it is adapted to: medium, fine
Soil pH range: 6.5 to 7.0
Minimum temperature tolerated: 7 °F
Frost-free days needed (minimum): 270
Annual precipitation range: 55 to 125 inches
Minimum root depth: 6 inches
Salinity tolerance: Low
Fertility requirement: Low
Growth rate: Rapid
Lifespan: Moderate
Active growth period: Spring and Summer
Fruit or seed: Red · Spring to Fall
Can be propagated by: bare root, container, cuttings, seed
Commercial availability: Contracting Only

From the USDA PLANTS characteristics data for RONU. USDA ratings are general guidance for the species, not a guarantee for your garden.

Names, range and relatives

Native status by region (USDA PLANTS): Alaska: Native; Canada: Native; Lower 48 states: Native.

County records: USDA PLANTS lists it in 148 counties across 11 states; the most are in Washington (34), Oregon (30), Utah (25).

Other Rosa on Bloomipedia (10): Roses (genus Rosa), Multiflora rose, Rugosa rose, California wild rose, Baldhip rose, Woods' rose, Climbing prairie rose, Prickly wild rose, Prairie rose, Three-leaved rose.

More from the Rosaceae family (103 on Bloomipedia; most observed first): Mock strawberry, Black cherry, Toyon, Thimbleberry, Wineberry, Black raspberry, Trailing blackberry, Salmonberry.

More Washington flowers

Salmonberry

Rubus spectabilis

Native

🌼 Blooms in WA: March–May

Thimbleberry

Rubus parviflorus

Native

🌼 Blooms in WA: May–July

Osoberry

Oemleria cerasiformis

Native

🌼 Blooms in WA: February–April

Sources

USDA, NRCS. PLANTS Database, profile RONU.
iNaturalist, Rosa nutkana: taxonomy, research-grade observation counts and “Flowering” annotations, retrieved October 17, 2026.
Wikipedia, Rosa nutkana (lead quoted under CC BY-SA 4.0).
Washington: Washington State noxious weed list (WAC 16-750-005, -011, -015).
USFWS, ECOS species database (ESA listing check), October 17, 2026.
NatureServe Explorer, Rosa nutkana (global and state ranks).
Edibility and toxicity: ASPCA.
Photo: John Brew via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized.