Yellow Lady Banks rose is a vigorous, woody, climbing, flowering shrub that is evergreen where winters tend to be mild, but semi-evergreen or deciduous where winter temperatures are low. It is in the rose family (Rosaceae). Rosa banksiae ‘Lutea’ differs from the species in that it is not as big and its double blooms are pale yellow. It will mature to a height of 20 feet and a width of 10 feet with heavy growth and a sprawling habit. The flowers are slightly fragrant. Yellow Lady Banks rose requires medium moisture in slightly acidic, well-drained garden soil and full sun. It will tolerate light shade, but flowering will suffer and diseases that are resisted in full sun may occur in the shade. Water deeply and regularly in the morning and avoid overhead watering. You can use mulch in the summer to retain moisture, keep the roots cool, and discourage weeds. Flowering occurs on second- or third-year growth, so keep pruning to a minimum (but be sure to remove dead wood) and do so immediately after flowering. Good cultural practices can control disease and regular fungicide applications throughout the growing season may be required. Apply a balanced fertilizer in late winter or early spring. Ensure good air circulation around the plant to promote vigorous and healthy growth. It is moderately salt tolerant and deer-resistant. Use the yellow Lady Banks rose as an accent in an Asian or butterfly garden. Train the plant to climb an arbor, fence, or rock wall. If not supported, it will spread along the ground as a rambling shrub. Place it on a slope or bank and let it cascade down. Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: Roses are susceptible to a large number of diseases, however common leaf diseases like black spot and mildew are less problematic for this rose. For full information on common pests and diseases of roses, please see the Rosa page. VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers," a plant identification course developed in partnership with Longwood Gardens. More information on Rosa banksiae .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in. | Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
6 - Vine (vertical)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Cascading; Climbing; Spreading
Texture
Fine
Foliage
Deciduous; Semi-evergreen
Leaf color
Green
Leaf margin
Serrate
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Green leaves cover the stems with 5 to 7 finely serrate leaflets.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow
Flower value
Fragrant; Showy
Flower form
Corymb
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Small, multi-petaled, pale-yellow flowers (to 3/4” across) arrive in profuse clusters in early spring to early summer. The blossoms do not repeat.
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Stem detail
Long, smooth, flexible, and almost thornless.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Wildlife value
This plant is mildly resistant to damage by deer.
Attracts
Butterflies
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Rock Wall; Slope/Bank
Landscape theme
Asian Garden; Butterfly Garden; Cottage Garden
Design feature
Accent
Garden tags
#semi-evergreen #salt tolerant #deer resistant #flowering shrub #sprawling #spreading #thornless #flowers early spring #thornless rose #cpp #HS304
Problems & Resistance
Insect problems
Rose Pest Management Calendar; Rose Chafer; Japanese Beetles on Ornamental Landscape Plants; Roses for North Carolina; Aphids Found on Flowers and Foliage; Beetles Found on Flowers and Foliage; Thrips Found on Flowers and Foliage; Rose Midge; Pests of Rose