Lady Banks Rose Rosa banksiae 'Lutescens' (Ra)
ABOUT
Rosa banksiae 'Lutescens', commonly known as the Lady Banks' rose, is a graceful plant adorned with clusters of small, delicate blooms. The flowers are a soft, buttery yellow, and they appear in copious amounts during the spring season. These double flowers are reminiscent of tiny, ruffled pom-poms and are lightly fragrant. The leaves of the plant are a rich, shiny green color and have a smooth, leathery texture, providing an attractive backdrop for the delicate flowers. The foliage remains evergreen in warmer climates, contributing to the plant's visual appeal throughout the year. The Lady Banks' rose is a climbing plant, often seen cascading over arbors, trellises, or fences, with slender, flexible canes that can gracefully arch and weave. Overall, the appearance of this plant is characterized by its profusion of blooms and lush foliage that combine to create a charming and romantic display in any garden setting.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Rosaceae
Synonyms
Lady Banks' Rose, Yellow Banksia Rose, Banksiae Rose, Tombstone Rose
Common names
Rosa banksiae var. lutescens Voss, Rosa banksiae var. normalis Regel, Rosa lutescens (Voss) Rehder.
ToxicityTo humans
Lady Banks' Rose is not known to be toxic to humans. There are no significant toxic effects reported for ingestion of this plant.
To pets
Lady Banks' Rose is also not considered toxic to pets. It is not known to cause any significant symptoms of poisoning in animals if they ingest parts of the plant.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Semi-evergreen
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Pale yellow
Height
15-20 feet (4.5-6 meters)
Spread
7-15 feet (2-4.5 meters)
Plant type
Climber
Hardiness zones
6
Native area
China
Benefits
General Benefits- Low Maintenance: Ra, commonly known as Lady Banks' Rose, is known for being a relatively low-maintenance plant, which is ideal for gardeners who prefer plants that do not require frequent care.
- Drought Tolerant: Once established, Lady Banks' Rose has good drought tolerance, making it suitable for gardens in drier climates or for gardeners looking for water-wise plants.
- Rapid Growth: This rose variety can grow quickly, providing a lush, full look in the garden within a relatively short period.
- Thornless: Unlike many roses, Lady Banks' Rose is thornless, which makes it a safer choice for gardens where children and pets play.
- Long Blooming: Lady Banks' Rose has a lengthy blooming season, often from early spring to late season, offering extended visual interest.
- Attracts Wildlife: The blooms of Lady Banks' Rose can attract beneficial pollinators such as bees and butterflies to the garden.
- Architectural Interest: Lady Banks' Roses can be trained on structures and often used to cover arbors, fences, and walls, adding architectural interest to the landscape.
- Evergreen to Semi-Evergreen: In milder climates, Ra can retain its leaves throughout the year, providing greenery even in winter.
- Cover for Wildlife: Its dense growth habit can offer shelter and nesting sites for birds and other small wildlife.
- Historical Plant: As an old garden rose, Lady Banks' Rose has historical significance and is often used in heritage and cottage gardens, giving them a classic and timeless appeal.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Lady Banks' rose can be used as a natural dye source, where the petals impart a delicate yellow hue to textiles and crafts.
- This plant's long canes and dense growth pattern offer a habitat for small birds and beneficial insects when grown as a thicket.
- In artistic applications, Lady Banks' rose can be included in botanical prints and eco-printing techniques, transferring its shape and color onto paper or fabric.
- Due to its robust growth, it can be trained over structures to create shaded areas or garden grottoes, providing a cooling effect in landscaped areas.
- The dried petals of Lady Banks' rose can be used to add fragrance and color to potpourri blends or natural confetti for celebrations.
- Its long-lasting blooms are suitable for floral arrangements, where they add softness and volume without the need for frequent replacement.
- Gardeners can utilize this rose as a rootstock for grafting more delicate rose varieties, taking advantage of its hardiness and vigor.
- Lady Banks' rose can serve as a natural barrier when planted densely, creating a living fence that deters trespassing due to its intertwining branches.
- The flexible canes of this plant can be woven or bent into garden sculptures or living willow-type installations for environmental art pieces.
- When allowed to grow unchecked, the rose can create an informal, wild garden look, fitting for naturalistic or cottage-style landscapes.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Lady Banks' rose is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Lady Banks' rose is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Love and Affection: As a member of the rose family, Rosa banksiae 'Lutescens', commonly known as Lady Banks' Rose, traditionally symbolizes love and affection, reflecting the general symbolism associated with roses.
- Beauty and Grace: Lady Banks' Rose, with its delicate pale-yellow flowers, can symbolize beauty and grace, celebrating the gentle and refined qualities embodied by its blossoms.
- Everlasting Bonds: Being a vigorous climber with long-lasting flowers, Lady Banks' Rose can represent enduring and everlasting relationships, whether familial, platonic, or romantic.
- Renewal and Vitality: The rose, blooming in spring, is often associated with renewal and the rejuvenation of nature, symbolizing new beginnings and vitality.
- Innocence and Purity: The light color and innocent appearance of the pale-yellow roses can symbolize purity and chasteness, often used in contexts that demand such symbolism, like weddings or christenings.
WaterLady Banks' rose should be watered deeply once a week, providing about 1 inch of water to moisten the soil around the roots. During hot and dry periods, it may require additional water, possibly twice a week. Avoid overhead watering to minimize the risk of leaf diseases. Aim to water the plant in the morning to allow the foliage to dry out over the day. It's essential not to overwater, as this can lead to root rot.
LightLady Banks' rose thrives best in full sunlight to partial shade. A location that provides at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day is ideal for its growth and flowering. Too much shade can reduce the amount of blooms and make the plant more susceptible to diseases.
TemperatureLady Banks' rose prefers temperate conditions with ideal temperatures ranging between 70°F and 80°F. It is hardy in USDA zones 6 through 9 and can survive minimum temperatures down to -5°F to 0°F. Plant vigor and blooming can be affected by temperature extremes, so protection from harsh winter winds and excessive summer heat is beneficial.
PruningPruning Lady Banks' rose is crucial for maintaining its shape and encouraging healthy growth. It should be pruned after flowering, as it blooms on the previous year's growth. Remove any dead or damaged wood, and thin out crowded areas to improve air circulation. If needed, shape the plant by reducing the length of overgrown canes, ideally cutting just above a outward-facing bud.
CleaningAs needed
SoilLady Banks rose prefers well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.5. A good soil mix for this plant would consist of equal parts loam, sand, and organic compost to ensure adequate drainage and fertility.
RepottingLady Banks rose typically doesn't require frequent repotting and can thrive for several years without being moved. If repotting is necessary due to size or soil depletion, it should be done in late winter or early spring.
Humidity & MistingLady Banks rose does well in average garden humidity levels and does not have specific humidity requirements. As long as the area is well-ventilated, this plant can thrive in typical outdoor conditions.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Ensure bright light, infrequent watering, and enough space to climb.
Outdoor
Plant in full sun, provide support for climbing, and mulch.
Hardiness zone
6-9 USDA
Life cycleRosa banksiae 'Lutescens', commonly known as Lady Banks' rose, starts its life cycle from a seed that, when sown, germinates, typically in early spring. Upon germination, the seedling emerges and develops into a young plant characterized by vigorous growth of canes and foliage. As the plant matures, it enters a rapid vegetative growth stage, where it produces long, thornless canes and compound leaves. After a few years of growth, it reaches maturity and begins the reproductive phase, usually in late spring, characterized by an abundant display of small, pale yellow, double flowers. Following the blooming period, if pollination occurs, the plant may produce small, inedible hip fruits containing seeds for the next generation. The Lady Banks' rose can live many years, entering a period of dormancy during the colder months and resuming growth each spring.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
The Lady Banks rose, scientifically known as Rosa banksiae 'Lutescens', is a vigorous climbing rose that can be propagated through a variety of methods. However, the most popular method is via semi-hardwood cuttings. This technique is most effective when performed in late summer or early autumn when the plant's growth begins to slow. To propagate by cuttings, one should select a healthy, disease-free branch and cut a piece around 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 centimeters) long. The cut should be made just below a leaf node, and the bottom leaves should be removed, leaving two or three sets at the top. Dipping the cut end in rooting hormone can enhance rooting success. The cutting should then be planted in a pot with well-draining soil, watered well, and placed in a location with indirect sunlight. Keeping the soil consistently moist is critical for the formation of new roots, which can take several weeks to develop.
