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Growing a Lady Banks Rose
By: Julie Day 
Last summer, I planted a yellow Lady Banks Rose (Rosa banksiae) to grow up the column of my side porch. Lady Banks is a thornless climbing rose that explodes in clusters of miniature white or yellow blossoms in the spring, and it’s what we gardeners call a “vigorous climber.” That means that the thing is on the fast track to taking over my porch (and possibly my entire house), a slightly overwhelming prospect that is tempered only by the breathtaking display of flowers dripping from the soft, green branches. Simply put, it’s gorgeous.
The Lady Banks Rose is one of the more drought-tolerant and disease-resistant rose species, making it a favorite among gardeners for many generations. Here are a few quick facts for growing this luscious rose:
One year after planting.
- Climate: Hardy to zone 7.
- Light: Full sun to partial shade.
- Soil: Moist, well-draining, with lots of organic matter added to the planting hole. Otherwise it is not picky about soil types.
- Water: Water regularly until established, then it shouldn’t need a lot of extra irrigation except in severe heat or drought.
- Blooms: Single or double, white or yellow miniature blossoms in spring. Blooms only once per year.
- Size and Pruning: Lady Banks blooms on old wood, so be careful not to over-prune the older branches. You’ll be busy enough trying to contain the size of this rose – it’s not meant for small spaces and easily grows to 30 feet or more, quickly swallowing sheds, trees, and unaware bystanders in its path. In fact, the largest rose in the world is a 100-year-old Lady Banks in Tombstone, Arizona. Check out the amazing Tombstone Rose that covers more than 8,000 square feet!
I may regret planting Lady Banks so near the house, but it’s such a pleasure to walk under the blossoms when I enter and leave my kitchen door. The scent is very subtle, and the vine itself is a delicate, eager bundle of vitality growing visibly larger by the day.
For more, check out Lady Banks Rose Update.
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May 13th, 2009 at 6:55 pm
I recently visited Tombstone AZ and saw the worlds largest rose bush it was a Lady Banks. I bought a start in a 1 gallon container carried it home and found out it is hardy to zone 7 I am in zone 5. Can I grow it in a pot and bring it into the garage for the winter. Any ideas for growing it in this climate will be greatly appreciated.
April 26th, 2010 at 5:17 pm
Just wait until you’ve have Lady Banks for three years. It is unbelievable. Our two plants have encompassed an 8 ft. tall metal trellis in three seasons of growth. They started quite small (2 ft.). Thinking seriously of buying another trellis to hold the weight of next year’s Lady Banks’ roses.
May 8th, 2010 at 7:11 pm
Is the Lady Banks an evergreen?
March 20th, 2011 at 6:49 pm
WE planted a lady banks last spring, summer. It did well last summer. We had some extreme cold this winter, it got to ten below zero -we live in Norman, OK. It does not look well – it is March 20. Many of our plants are greening up, the lady banks does not have any new leaves, buds, etc.
Do u think the extreme cold could have killed the lady banks?
Ken and Donna Morris
March 28th, 2011 at 8:48 pm
We live in Edmond, Oklahoma, about 35 miles north of Norman and are experiencing the same results with our Lady Banks. There appears to be a new shoot at the bottom of the trunk but the rest of the tree looks dead. We’ve had cold temps and drought. What should we do?
Tom and Cheryl Prince
April 12th, 2011 at 9:23 pm
Hey Cheryl Prince my mom bought hers down at Kingston, Oklahoma and the lady said to cut it down and fertilize the plant and of course water. My mom is already seeing green leaves down at the bottom. If you ever get down to Lake Texoma stop at Betti’s Nursery in Kingston you will be amazed by the Lady Bank’s plant it is so pretty. The dead part needs to be cut like a normal rose. Good luck!!
April 27th, 2011 at 8:16 am
We were recently at the Norfolk, VA Botanical Garden and admired a yellow lady banks rose on a walkway arbor. We live in Port Huron, MI which needs zone 5 hardiness. Is there a comparible rose plant that we could use?
September 29th, 2011 at 2:24 pm
I recently purchased a lady banks rose for my southern exposed hot deck in hopes to train it for a sort of deck cover…my deck in high so was planning to put the plant in a large container on the deck…I live in Charlotte NC so hoping the weather in winter with my deck facing south will be good too…basically I’m trying to make a plant deck cover…I would be thankful for any tips and comments from you…thanking you so much….Evelyn Rhodes
November 10th, 2011 at 2:15 pm
Evelyn,
We’re in Cabarrus County and our Lady Banks has been growing well for about 7 years. It is absolutely beautiful in bloom. You shouldn’t have any trouble with it in Charlotte.
February 1st, 2012 at 9:52 pm
I live in Austin Texas and planted a lady bak 2 years ago. I have had no blooms and my vines seem to be stretching outward instead of upward. What am I doing wrong? It looks healthy and growing vigorously. Just not growing upward growing outward, looks like a spraying water fountain!