Rosa carolina, better known as pasture rose, is a true native. native to the U. S. and to our particular area. It breaks out with profuse clusters of simple, small pink roses in May and June for the bees, resulting in colorful red hips from midsummer into winter for the birds.  In the wild, it spreads by suckers forming colonies. As a native, it has better natural resistance to rose diseases than today's hybrid roses, plus a higher tolerance for hot dry weather, partial shade, and even occasional drought. But for best bloom, plant in moist soil with full sun, and prune in late winter to early spring.

Because of its suckering habit, it may be somewhat difficult to contain in smaller gardens. On the other hand, if you have an area you want to devote to native plants, or you'd love to plant roses in mass, pasture rose is a natural choice.