[10] Nootka rose grows in a wide variety of habitats, from sea level to mid elevations.

It grows in fencerows, hedgerows, pastures, shrubby wetlands, woodlands, prairies, and meadows.

[10][11] Nootka rose thickets provide habitat and food for birds and small wildlife.

[13] Rosa nutkana is used medicinally by a great number of indigenous peoples to treat a wide variety of ailments, and also ceremonially, in handcrafts, and as a food source.

[14] The branches or leaves were used to make a tea or poultice to treat sores and eye problems.

[16] Nootka rose serves as the larval host of the mourning cloak and grey hairstreak butterflies.