Lady Bank's Rose
Rosa banksiae
A thornless climbing rose with showy lightly fragrant pink flowers, ideal for arbors and walls.
Cold-hardy in USDA zones 6-11 and nearly evergreen in the low desert, it easily tolerates local frost and considerable heat, making it one of the most heat-adapted climbing roses.
AMWUA Notes
A relatively low-water, disease-resistant thornless climbing rose that gives a lush look with less input than hybrid roses; scale it to a large support.
Care Guide
Water deeply every 7-10 days in summer; more drought tolerant than most roses once established, but a big climber needs consistent moisture to fill an arbor.
Prune only right after the spring bloom, since it flowers on old wood, thinning and shortening canes to control its 20 ft reach; the canes are thornless, making training easy.
Feed once in early spring with a rose or balanced fertilizer to support its vigorous growth and bloom.
Notably disease-resistant and less prone to the blackspot and mildew that plague hybrid roses; watch for aphids on new growth.
A spectacular single flush of small pink (or white/yellow in other forms) flowers covers it in spring; it is nearly evergreen in mild low-desert winters.
Soil, Feeding & Propagation
Adaptable to most well-drained soils including alkaline desert ground; more forgiving of poor soil than hybrid roses.
Needs well-drained soil.
Moderate feeder.
Semi-hardwood or hardwood cuttings, or layering; the thornless canes make handling easy.
8-10 ft apart on a large arbor or wall (10 ft mature spread, canes to 20 ft)
Vigorous but non-invasive roots; scale it to a large sturdy support since a mature plant is massive.
Placement Tips
- •Give it a large sturdy arbor, pergola, or long wall; a mature plant is a massive climber to 20 ft.
- •Its thornless canes make it ideal near seating, entries, and paths where thorny roses would snag.
- •Provide afternoon relief from the most intense western sun in the hottest sites.
- •Prune only after the spring flush so you do not sacrifice next year's bloom.
Features
Best Uses
Ecological Value
Attracts
Wildlife Value
Companion Plants
Quick Stats
Design Styles
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Use this care guide to maintain your Lady Bank's Rose. Questions about your landscape? Reach out anytime.
Data from 2024 AMWUA “Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert” guide.
Lady Bank's Rose — common questions
Answers for low-desert Phoenix conditions, drawn from this plant’s growing data.
How much water does Lady Bank's Rose need in Phoenix?
Lady Bank's Rose is a low-water vine once established. Water deeply every 7-10 days in summer; more drought tolerant than most roses once established, but a big climber needs consistent moisture to fill an arbor. A relatively low-water, disease-resistant thornless climbing rose that gives a lush look with less input than hybrid roses; scale it to a large support.
How big does Lady Bank's Rose get?
Expect roughly 20 ft tall and 10 ft wide at maturity, with a moderate growth rate. Allow about 8-10 ft apart on a large arbor or wall (10 ft mature spread, canes to 20 ft) of spacing when planting. Vigorous but non-invasive roots; scale it to a large sturdy support since a mature plant is massive.
Can you plant Lady Bank's Rose near a pool?
Yes. Lady Bank's Rose is considered pool-friendly, meaning it stays clean enough around water features and hardscape. Litter is rated seasonal.
Can Lady Bank's Rose handle Arizona heat and winter frost?
Lady Bank's Rose is hardy in USDA 9-11 and wants full sun. Cold-hardy in USDA zones 6-11 and nearly evergreen in the low desert, it easily tolerates local frost and considerable heat, making it one of the most heat-adapted climbing roses. A spectacular single flush of small pink (or white/yellow in other forms) flowers covers it in spring; it is nearly evergreen in mild low-desert winters.
Does Lady Bank's Rose have thorns?
No. Lady Bank's Rose is thornless, so it is safe alongside walkways, patios and play areas.
Is Lady Bank's Rose safe around pets?
Lady Bank's Rose is listed as pet-friendly in this guide. If your dog is a determined chewer, check any new plant with your vet before planting.
When does Lady Bank's Rose bloom in Arizona?
Lady Bank's Rose blooms in spring, with pink flowers. The flowers are fragrant. The bloom draws bees.
How much maintenance does Lady Bank's Rose need?
Lady Bank's Rose is moderate-maintenance. Leaf, flower and pod litter is rated seasonal. Prune only right after the spring bloom, since it flowers on old wood, thinning and shortening canes to control its 20 ft reach; the canes are thornless, making training easy.
What kind of soil does Lady Bank's Rose need?
Adaptable to most well-drained soils including alkaline desert ground; more forgiving of poor soil than hybrid roses. Nutrient needs are moderate. Feed once in early spring with a rose or balanced fertilizer to support its vigorous growth and bloom.
Is Lady Bank's Rose native to Arizona?
No. Lady Bank's Rose is not an Arizona native; it originates from the China, but it is grown successfully in low-desert landscapes here.