Plant DetailShow Menu

Similar but less problematic plants:
Kerria japonica Flower
Native alternative(s) for Rosa banksiae:
Bignonia capreolata Flowers in spring in Moore County
Gelsemium sempervirens Close up of funnel shaped flower
Rosa virginiana Flowers
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Clematis armandii Clematis armandii
Lonicera flava Flowers and upper leaves joined
Trachelospermum jasminoides Trachelospermum jasminoides
Rosa banksiae has some common insect problems:
Pests of Rose
Rose Pest Management Calendar

Rosa banksiae

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
RO-zuh BANK-see-eye
Description

Lady banks is an evergreen vigorous climbing shrub in the Roseaceae (rose) family that is native to central and western China. The rose was named for Dorothea Lady Banks, wife of the botanist Sir Joseph Banks in 1807. Two variations of this plant were found in China having either single white or double yellow flowers. it is thought the original was the single white flowered one,  var. normalis, but then the double yellow flowered one, var. lutea, became more popular. There are now several cultivars available of this rose. This rose is not found in the wild and is most likely a “cultigen" of unknown parentage.

This rambling rose can grow up to 50 feet quickly and is mostly thornless but may have a few prickles on the strongest growing shoots. It requires some support such as a trellis to be trained on or a wall to cascade over. The plant can be grown in zones 6-9 but is only evergreen in warmer climates.

In early spring the plant produces many mildly fragrant white or pale yellow single or double flowers contrasting nicely with the compound leaves. Blooming occurs on old wood so only prune shortly after flowering occurs. Fruits are small red hips and inconspicuous. 

This plant is tolerant of most well-drained garden soils and will grow in full sun to part shade. It does well growing on a fence, a trellis,or cascading over rocks or walls. Use as an accent plant,  back of the border, naturalized area or even as a ground cover.

Quick ID Hints:

  • Stems green, prickle-less ("thornless")
  • Evergreen climbing shrub with pinnately compound leaves
  • Many 1" double yellow (white) double flowers in spring

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. Watch for black spot and mildew esp. in humid areas.

VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Alba Plena'
    White flowers
  • 'Alboplena'
    flowers are double, white, fragrant
  • 'Lutea' Rosa banksiae lutea
    Double flowers that are yellow
  • 'Lutescens'
    flowers are single, strongly fragrant, and have yellow petals
  • R. banksiae var. lutea
    Soft yellow double of semi-double flowers
  • R. banksiae var. normalis
    Single white flowers
'Alba Plena', 'Alboplena', 'Lutea', 'Lutescens', R. banksiae var. lutea, R. banksiae var. normalis
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#evergreen#fragrant flowers#yellow flowers#climbing#spring flowers#thornless#cpp#trellises#cascading#children's garden#fantz#twining vine#vertical spaces#arbor#full sun#part shade#fence
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Alba Plena'
    White flowers
  • 'Alboplena'
    flowers are double, white, fragrant
  • 'Lutea' Rosa banksiae lutea
    Double flowers that are yellow
  • 'Lutescens'
    flowers are single, strongly fragrant, and have yellow petals
  • R. banksiae var. lutea
    Soft yellow double of semi-double flowers
  • R. banksiae var. normalis
    Single white flowers
'Alba Plena', 'Alboplena', 'Lutea', 'Lutescens', R. banksiae var. lutea, R. banksiae var. normalis
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#evergreen#fragrant flowers#yellow flowers#climbing#spring flowers#thornless#cpp#trellises#cascading#children's garden#fantz#twining vine#vertical spaces#arbor#full sun#part shade#fence
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Rosa
    Species:
    bansiae
    Family:
    Rosaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Leaves and fruits were used in herbal medicine. Tannin obtained from the root bark is used as a brown dye
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    China
    Wildlife Value:
    Attracts hummingbirds
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
    Fragrance
    Climbing Method:
    Scrambler
    Dimensions:
    Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 40 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Rose
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Arching
    Cascading
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
    Appendage:
    Prickles
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    6-feet-12 feet
    12-24 feet
    24-60 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Winter
    Fruit Type:
    Achene
    Fruit Description:
    Fruits are dull red, and are a spherical hip containing many achenes.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Umbel
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Cup
    Flower Petals:
    7 - 20 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Flowers are yellow or white, single to double, slightly fragrant, 1-2" in size, in clusters on short stems. Sepals are 5-lobed, lobes are reflexed, and entire. Blooms in early spring for about a month.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Lanceolate
    Oblong
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves are alternate, pinnately compound, and evergreen. There are 3-7 leaflets (typically 5) that are oblong-lanceolate to elliptic-ovate with serrated margins. They are glabrous above and sometimes downy beneath. Rachis are pubescent. Leaflets are 1.5-2.5 inches long
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    Stems are thornless, green, glabrous, vine-like, but not scandent.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Coastal
    Pool/Hardscape
    Rock Wall
    Vertical Spaces
    Landscape Theme:
    Asian Garden
    Cutting Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Border
    Screen/Privacy
    Attracts:
    Hummingbirds