Hardiness zones
Sunset 9-24
USDA 6 (evergreen in zones 9-11, deciduous in zones 6-8)

Landscape Use: Landscape accent plant, ground cover for slopes, raised planter beds, overhanging trellis and arbor

Form & Character: Mostly evergreen climbing rose, arching, cascading, sprawling

Growth Habit: Evergreen, thorn less canes of great vigor. sprawling, training and climbing to 50+' if left unpruned

Foliage/Texture: Small medium green pinnately compound leaves on green thorn less stems, medium fine texture (fine textured for a rose)

Flowers & Fruits: Clusters of axillary white to yellow small flowers, single or double, not fragrant, borne on old wood produced the previous growth season, fruit inconspicuous to sterile

Recognized subspecies include:
Single yellow flower - R. banksiae lutescens
Double yellow flower - R. banksiae lutea
Single white flower - R. banksiae normalis
Double white flower - R. banksiae banksiae or R. banksiae alba-plena

The single form, Rosa banksiae normalis, is believed to be the original wild form. More commonly grown now are the double varieties. R. banksiae banksiae was the first to be botanically described, introduced from Canton, China in 1807 by William Kerr to Kew Gardens, England and named after the wife of Sir Joseph Banks (at that time the director of Kew). It is unclear if this is a hybrid cultivar, as both double and single forms are found in the wilds of China. The white Lady Banks' rose was once the most common in cultivation, but largely became replaced by the double yellow (subspecies lutea).

Seasonal Color: Abundant floral color in mid spring

Temperature: Tolerant

Light: Partial shade to full sun

Soil: Tolerant

Watering: Regular

Pruning: Prune only after flower until July

Propagation: Asexual semi hardwood cuttings, either softwood during the growing season, or hardwood during winter

Disease and pests: Virtually pest free in Phoenix

Additional comments: Excellent accent climbing rose for Phoenix. Lady Banks' rose is best grown where its enthusiastic vigor need not be restrained. Grow it as a naturalized plant or over a sturdy (very sturdy) structure. The Guinness Book of World Records identifies 'The Tombstone', a double white Lady Banks', as the single largest rose plant in the world. Located near its namesake, Tombstone, Arizona, it covers 8,000 square feet and planted in 1855 by a homesick bride.