Lady Banks' Rose
Rosa banksiae · Rosaceae
📷 T.Kiya from Aichi, Japan · CC BY-SA 2.0
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around lady banks' rose and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Scientific name
- Rosa banksiae
- Family
- Rosaceae
- Type
- Climbing rose
- Flowering
- April to May
- Adult size
- Up to 3 meters
- Foliage
- Semi-evergreen to evergreen
- Hardiness
- Moderate (down to -10°C depending on climate)
- Origin
- China
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability medium.
Expert tips
The key tip
Rosa banksiae is grown as a climbing rose: train it on a solid support from the start. Once established, it's low-maintenance, needing little water or fertilizer.
The common mistake
Don't prune it hard like a regular rose: it produces fewer flowers and weakens.
The pro's trick
Plant it near a warm spot sheltered from the wind.
Care
Exposure
Install this rose in full sun for generous and abundant flowering. A minimum of 6 hours of direct light per day is recommended. In partial shade, flowering will be less spectacular but the plant will survive without problems.
Watering
Water regularly during the growth and flowering period, particularly in the first two years. Once established, the rose tolerates moderate dry spells. Ensure proper drainage to prevent stagnant moisture at root level.
Pruning and training
Prune after flowering (June) to maintain shape and remove dead or poorly oriented wood. Guide the main stems along a support (trellis, pergola, wall) by tying them horizontally to encourage branching and more generous flowering.
Soil
Plant in rich, well-draining and light soil. Adding well-decomposed compost at planting improves rooting. Avoid overly compact soils or those permanently saturated with water.
Fertilizer
A balanced fertilizer application in spring is generally sufficient. During flowering, a rose fertilizer or potassium boost can enhance vigor and flower quality. Limit nitrogen to avoid promoting foliage at the expense of flowering.
Diseases and pests
This rose is generally resistant. Watch for aphids in spring and powdery mildew in case of excessive humidity and stagnation. Good air circulation and avoiding foliage watering reduce fungal risks.
Did you know?
Rosa banksiae is named after Lady Banks, wife of botanist Joseph Banks who brought this extraordinary rose from China back at the end of the 18th century. Its small white or pale yellow flowers, gathered in fragrant clusters, make this rose a classic of Mediterranean and temperate gardens, where it can become spectacular covering entire façades or pergolas.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.