1 named cultivar

‘Lutea’Yellow Banksia Rose

vine

Lady Banks Rose

Rosa banksiae

The Story

Plant Bio

Rosa banksiae, Lady Banks rose, is a rapid arching evergreen rambler from China, climbing fifteen to forty feet and spreading six to ten. The green rambling stems are entirely unarmed, an unusual thing in a rose, and panicles of small cup-shaped white or yellow flowers smother the plant in spring, followed by dull red hips.

It has no thorns at all, which makes it the one rambler you can train over a doorway or a seating area without regret. It is also one of the longest-lived roses known — the Tombstone specimen in Arizona has covered thousands of square feet since 1885. It flowers on old wood, so it is pruned after flowering, not in winter.

Uses & Benefits:

A spring avalanche of small white or yellow flowers on an evergreen thornless rambler.

Thornless, disease-free, drought-tolerant once established and extraordinarily long-lived.

Bees, butterflies and hummingbirds all work the flowers, and the hips feed birds.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Vine

Height

300 inches

Width

96 inches

Light

Full Sun

Zones

7, 8, 9

Water

Low to moderate

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

China

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Planting

How to Grow

Give it a big structure; it reaches forty feet.
Plant in full sun or partial shade in drained soil.
Tie the long stems in as they extend.
Water while establishing; then it takes drought.
Prune only after flowering, never in winter.
Leave old wood; that is where the flowers come from.

Pro Tip

Never winter-prune it — it flowers on wood made in previous years, and the standard rose pruning that suits hybrid teas removes the entire display.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Give it a large structure 🏛️
Tie in long stems 🪢
Prune only after flowering ✂️
Keep the old wood 🌿

Don't

Prune it in winter ❌
Plant it on a small trellis ❌
Cut it back hard for size ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Enjoy
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Covering a pergola, wall or large structureThornless rambler over a doorwayCascading down a bank or over a wall

Companion Plants

Clematis WisteriaLavender Nepeta Salvia

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Lady Banks Rose questions

What zones can Lady Banks Rose grow in?

Lady Banks Rose is hardy in USDA Zones 7–9. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Lady Banks Rose deer resistant?

Yes — Lady Banks Rose is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Lady Banks Rose bloom?

Lady Banks Rose typically blooms in spring through late spring. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Lady Banks Rose need full sun?

Lady Banks Rose does best in full sun (6+ hours).

Is Lady Banks Rose drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Lady Banks Rose handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.