Lady Bank's Rose.
Rosa banksiae, Rose Family ( Rosaceae ), Lady Bank's Rose, Also Called: Lady Banks Yellow Rose, Yellow Banksia, Tombstone Roses, Rosa banksiae var. lutea.

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This rose has the unique distinction of being "The World's Largest Rose".

To see "The World's Largest Rose", you must travel to Tombstone, Arizona; "The Town Too Tough To Die". At the Rose Tree Inn you can see the 147 year old rose vine (this is 2012) planted in April of 1885. The unbelievable spread of branches and blooms of this rose is supported by pipes and posts and covers an area of over 8,000 square feet. The trunk of the tree is said to be approximately 12 feet in circumference. There are images of this rose on the internet, you can look for yourself!

This Lady Bank's Rose, the World's Largest Rose Tree, is Tombstone's most famous "Shady Lady". She was planted by Mary Gee and Amelia Adamson, in Tombstone, in 1885; and unlike the various gun-fighters who stayed a short time and went on their way, this lady has remained, growing more beautiful with the passing years.

In 1937, Robert Ripley, of the famous "Believe It or Not" visited Tombstone. He gave this Lady Banks Rose the title of the World's Largest and to-date it has never been disputed. The "Guinness' Book of World Records" also lists her as the "World's Largest Rose Vine".

Anything, that could stay alive that long in Tombstone has to be tough. Therefore, we would say that Lady Bank's Rose must be a wonderful xeriscape landscape plant!

We have several near our summer home in Yarnell, Arizona at 4,868 feet elevation. In pinion pine, shrub oak forest. USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 �C (15 �F).

Rosa banksiae, commonly referred to as the Lady Banks' Rose, is a species of Rosa native to central and western China, in the provinces of Gansu, Guizhou, Henan, Hubei, Jiangsu, Sichuan, and Yunnan; it grows in mountains at altitudes of 1,640 � 7,218 feet.

Two varieties of Lady Bank's Rose are sold in Phoenix. The most common, "lutea" is yellow in color and scentless. The white one is "banksiae" or "alba" which has a strong violet scent.

This attractive, shrubby twining climber gives a beautiful display of showy yellow or white blossoms. It is a good ornamental cover for fences or walls, or growing across lattice for shade. Semi-evergreen. Full to partial sun. Fast grower.

Since Lady Bank's Rose native growing locations, in the provinces of Gansu, Guizhou, Henan, Hubei, Jiangsu, Sichuan, and Yunnan, China; have very dry and cold conditions; we suspect this rose can do well at higher locations in the USA.

For example, generally speaking, their lowest temperature occurs in January with the temperature from -14 �C (7 �F) to 3 �C (37 �F), and their highest temperature (from 22 �C or 72 �F to 25 �C or 77 �F) is in July.

Quick Notes:

Height: Height to about 10 - 18 feet. Can normally spread 20 - 30 feet.

Flowers: Rose shaped, White or yellow, 1 inch flowers. Double bloom form.

Flowering Time: March - April.

Leaves: Dark green, ovate-lanceolate, 1 - 2 inches long.

Found: Native to Central and Western China. These regions have dry and sometimes very cold climate.

Hardiness:
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 �C (-10 �F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 �C (-5 �F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 �C (0 �F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 �C (5 �F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 �C (10 �F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 �C (15 �F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 �C (20 �F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 �C (25 �F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 �C (30 �F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 �C (35 �F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 �C (40 �F)

Soil pH requirements:
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
7.9 to 8.5 (alkaline)
8.6 to 9.0 (strongly alkaline)

Sun Exposure:
Full Sun

Elevation: 0 - 6,500 feet.

Habitat: Well drained sandy desert soils, clay soils, and disturbed rocky soil. Used in landscaping.

Miscellaneous: Flowering Photos Taken At Glendale, Arizona. March 27, 2006. Again on March 30, 2006.