If you’re looking for a thornless climber, and you love roses, here’s one to check out: Yellow Lady Bank’s Climbing Rose (Rosa banksiae ‘Lutea’).
This early blooming rose won’t disappoint, AND, having almost no thorns, won’t shred you, family or friends if it grows a wee bit rambunctious in the summer. 🙂
For me, the cheery yellow flowers of ‘Lutea’ is a favorite! There is also a white variety (Rosa banksiae var. banksiae) which is another great option. For both, color is the over-all deciding factor, as they share the same thornless, rambler rose habit with the sweet, subtle fragrance of violets!
About ‘Lutea’ Flowers and Growth?
Yellow flowering ‘Lutea’, as you’ll see from the photos below, captures early spring with very cheerful yellow flowers. Though the individual, double-flowers are small (1 inch in size), the Rambler type in this rose yields prolific blooms which congregate in large clusters.
Rambler Versus Climber Rose:
Climbers generally have large blooms on not too vigorous, rather stiff growth and most repeat flower. Ramblers are in general, much more vigorous. They will produce great quantities of small flowers, although most do not repeat flower.
~Source: David Austin Roses
Lady Banks climbing rose – Rosa bansksiae ‘Lutea’ – Close up. Mid-May.
Rosa banksiae ‘Lutea’ San Francisco, CA. Mid-May.
Banksia Rose growing with Trumpet vine. Belvedere, CA
Yellow Lady Banks Climbing Rose trained on stucco home. Berkeley, CA. Early May.
Rosa Banksiae ‘Lutea’
About and How to Grow?
Rosa banksiae ‘Lutea’ is a wild rose with a rambling habit. If left to its own devices, and happy, this vine can easily grow 20 feet. In the garden, it can be trained to grow as a climber, as you can see from the photo examples above. This climbing rose also does well trained on arbors/ pergolas… And in a mild climate, having evergreen or semi-evergreen foliage is a plus when during winter most roses are leafless. To grow this rose plant in a location with good drainage and full sun. Bloom time is spring to early summer – earlier than many other roses. Yellow Banksia Rose is a prolific bloomer and an excellent choice for a kid/pet friendly garden. (Note: this rose is not a repeat bloomer.)
Conclusion
Most climbing roses come with painful thorns and loose there leaves in winter. Banskia Rose stands alone in these ways making it an excellent climbing vine! If you live in the SF bay and like roses check out this post: 6 Top Roses at Berkeley Rose Garden and Winter Pruning.
Happy Gardening!
Nicole
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