Rosa Banksiae
Common:Lady Bank's Rose, Tombstone Rose
Family: Rosaceae
Origin/Range: China
Light: Best in full sun; tends to get powdery mildew in cool or shady locations
Temp: Hardy to low teens or single digits, drops leaves at lower temps
Water: once or twice per week for good ornamental quality
Soil: Tolerant; better in prepared
aturally a low bush, usually trained over arches or along walls. Semi-evergreen in Tucson. Grows 12-20 ft tall. Leaves are compound, to 2.5in long, glossy green, 3-5 leaflets per leaf,; standard rose form. Flowers are yellow or white clusters, double or single; bloom in early spring through summer.
rained to grow upward on trellises, arches or pergolas, they need little garden space (unless you never prune them, then some varieties could swallow a whole yard). Easy to find. Nurseries, hardware stores, and some grocery stores sell them in spring. Look for older or rare varieties at specialty nurseries.
Although it blooms for only a few weeks in spring, its frothy clusters of scentless, double yellow or white flowers nearly cover the plant. Nearly evergreen and thornless, it is extremely vigorous. Try it as a ground cover.