Lady Banks' Rose, Yellow Banksian Rose, Yellow banksia Rose, Double Yellow banksia Rose, Rambler Roses, Climbing Roses
Roses are among the most beloved ornamental plants, and Rosa banksiae ‘Lutea’, commonly known as Lady Bank’s Rose, stands out as a stunning, vigorous climbing rose with delicate beauty and historical significance.
Unlike many traditional roses, this nearly thornless variety is prized for its cascading clusters of soft yellow, fragrant blooms that appear in spring. Native to China, Rosa banksiae has been cultivated for centuries and was introduced to Europe in the early 19th century. This heirloom rose thrives in warm climates, adding a romantic charm to garden trellises, fences, and walls.
If you’re looking for a fast-growing, low-maintenance climbing rose with an old-world appeal, Lady Bank’s Rose is an excellent choice.
Lady Banks’ Rose is a large, early-flowering, semi-evergreen rambling rose that produces a profusion of small, multi-petalled, pale yellow double flowers, each about ¾ inch wide (2 cm), in spring. The fragrant blooms appear in abundant clusters, creating a spectacular display.
One of its standout features is its lack of thorns, making it a gardener-friendly choice. This vigorous rose requires ample space to spread and is often trained along walls, arbors, and pergolas to showcase its cascading floral elegance.
‘Lutea’ is the most popular and floriferous of the Banksia roses and is regarded as one of the best roses for dry gardens. In mild climates, this heirloom rose remains evergreen, adding year-round interest.
Rosa banksiae is native to central and western China, growing in mountainous regions at elevations of 1,640–7,218 ft (500–2,200 m). It has been cultivated in China for centuries and was introduced to Europe in the early 19th century by plant explorer William Kerr, who acquired it from Chinese nurseries.
The species was named in honor of Dorothea Lady Banks, wife of renowned botanist Sir Joseph Banks, who played a crucial role in botanical exploration and plant introductions.
Rosa banksiae ‘Lutea’ is a perennial, evergreen climbing rose with an arching and cascading growth habit. It requires sturdy support like trellises, pergolas, or fences to showcase its full potential.
Due to its rapid growth, this rose requires regular pruning and ample space.
The deep green, glossy foliage remains evergreen in warmer climates but may become semi-deciduous in colder regions. Each pinnately compound leaf consists of three to five leaflets, each with a finely serrated margin.
The leaves of this plant are believed to aid in wound healing and support tissue regeneration. Additionally, it is rich in tannins, which have been traditionally used as astringents in medicinal applications.
In colder zones (6 and below), winter protection or container planting is recommended.
Rosa banksiae ‘Lutea’ has earned the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit (AGM) for its exceptional performance in gardens.
This rose attracts pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
Deer and rabbits can cause damage.
This heirloom rose is non-toxic to humans and pets, making it a safe choice for family-friendly gardens. Its petals are even edible and widely used in culinary and cosmetic applications.
Rosa banksiae ‘Lutea’ is drought-tolerant once established, making it an excellent choice for dry gardens and low-water landscapes. Its deep roots help it survive prolonged dry spells, while its vigorous growth ensures resilience.
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This rose is not considered invasive but can spread vigorously in warm climates. Proper pruning helps control its size.
If you have plenty of space, a warm climate, and a love for historic roses, Lady Bank’s Rose is a perfect addition to your garden. Its thornless stems, cascading flowers, and minimal maintenance make it a favorite among gardeners looking for a stunning climbing rose.
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Thrives in full sun (at least 6 hours daily). Can tolerate partial shade but may bloom less profusely. Protect from frost and cold drying winds.
Prefers moderately fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil. Summer mulch helps retain moisture, keeps roots cool, and discourages weeds.
Requires regular watering during the first year. Once established, it is drought-tolerant but benefits from deep watering in dry periods.
Apply a balanced rose fertilizer in early spring and after flowering.
Prune after flowering to remove deadwood and maintain shape. Avoid heavy pruning, as it blooms on old wood.
Although this heirloom rose is loved for its beauty, it can be prone to:
This rose may attract common pests such as aphids, spider mites, scale insects, or caterpillars. These pests can damage foliage, flowers, and stems, reducing the plant’s vigor.
Roses are susceptible to several fungal diseases, including rose black spot, rust, and powdery mildew. These diseases often thrive in humid conditions, causing leaf discoloration, defoliation, or stem dieback. Disorders like rose blindness (failure to bloom) and flower balling (petals failing to open) may also occur under certain conditions. In severe cases, honey fungus, a soil-borne pathogen, can damage the plant’s root system.
Lady Banks’ Rose (Rosa banksiae) thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. It is best planted in warm, sheltered locations, such as against south- or west-facing walls, fences, trellises, or arbors. It does well in coastal gardens, Mediterranean climates, and dry landscapes. In colder climates, plant it in a protected spot to shield it from severe frost.
Lady Banks’ Rose is a vigorous, fast-growing climber that can reach 20–40 feet (6–12 meters) tall and spread 6-10 feet (1.8–3 meters) wide. It requires ample space to flourish and is often trained along walls, pergolas, or fences.
Lady Banks’ Rose is primarily used for ornamental purposes, including:
It is also used in traditional Chinese medicine, where its leaves and roots are believed to aid wound healing and tissue regeneration.
No, Lady Banks’ Rose is a once-blooming rose, typically flowering in mid to late spring. It produces a spectacular display of abundant blooms over several weeks but does not rebloom in summer or fall.
Lady Banks’ Rose has a fast growth rate, often growing several feet per year in optimal conditions. It is one of the most vigorous and rapid-growing climbing roses.
Lady Banks’ Rose is considered a rambling rose rather than a true climbing rose. Unlike climbers, it produces long, flexible canes that naturally sprawl and require support, making it ideal for training along trellises, fences, and arbors.
Lady Banks’ Rose is a long-lived plant, often thriving for decades when properly maintained. In favorable conditions, it can live 50 years or more. One of the world’s largest known specimens, in Tombstone, Arizona, was planted in 1885 and continues to grow today.
Lady Banks’ Rose is moderately frost-hardy, thriving in USDA zones 7–10. In zone 6, it may survive if planted in a sheltered location and given winter protection. Severe frosts can damage young shoots, so in colder climates, mulching and wrapping with burlap may help protect it during winter.
| Hardiness |
6 - 10 |
|---|---|
| Heat Zones |
8 - 9 |
| Climate Zones | 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
| Plant Type | Climbers, Roses |
| Plant Family | Rosaceae |
| Genus | Rosa, Rosa - Rambling Rose |
| Common names | Rose |
| Exposure | Full Sun |
| Season of Interest | Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early) |
| Height | 15' - 40' (4.6m - 12.2m) |
| Spread | 6' - 10' (180cm - 3m) |
| Maintenance | Average |
| Water Needs | Average |
| Soil Type | Chalk, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Plant of Merit, Showy, Semi-Evergreen |
| Attracts | Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
| Garden Uses | Arbors, Pergolas, Trellises, Wall-Side Borders, Walls And Fences |
| Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden |
| Hardiness |
6 - 10 |
|---|---|
| Heat Zones |
8 - 9 |
| Climate Zones | 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
| Plant Type | Climbers, Roses |
| Plant Family | Rosaceae |
| Genus | Rosa, Rosa - Rambling Rose |
| Common names | Rose |
| Exposure | Full Sun |
| Season of Interest | Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early) |
| Height | 15' - 40' (4.6m - 12.2m) |
| Spread | 6' - 10' (180cm - 3m) |
| Maintenance | Average |
| Water Needs | Average |
| Soil Type | Chalk, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Plant of Merit, Showy, Semi-Evergreen |
| Attracts | Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
| Garden Uses | Arbors, Pergolas, Trellises, Wall-Side Borders, Walls And Fences |
| Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden |
How many Rosa banksiae ‘Lutea’ (Lady Banks’ Rose) do I need for my garden?
| Plant | Quantity | |
|---|---|---|
| Rosa banksiae ‘Lutea’ (Lady Banks’ Rose) | N/A | Buy Plants |
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Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
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