Lady Banks rose is definitely not your average cultivated rose bush. Also known as Tombstone rose, it thrives in the desert and isn’t prone to the usual rose pests and diseases. Here’s everything you need to know about planting and caring for this one-of-a-kind rose in desert gardens.
If you long to grow roses, but are concerned that growing them in the desert could be challenging, Lady Banks rose (Rosa banksiae) is the plant for you. This rose is in a class of its own.
Unlike typical cultivated roses, Lady Banks roses are not susceptible to the usual rose pests and diseases. Plants thrive in full sun and almost any soil. An added bonus is that they don’t have thorns.
If you’re a fan of Westerns, you’ve heard that Tombstone is “the town too tough to die.” Well, there’s a Lady Banks rose growing in Tombstone that’s “the plant too tough to die.” It was planted in the 1880s and, amazingly, holds a Guinness World Record as the single largest rose plant in the world! 😮
Plants can have white or yellow flowers, and when in bloom attract bees and butterflies. They are largely resistant to deer and rabbits.
Why I Like This Plant
- An abundance of flowers when in bloom
- Stays evergreen
- Not susceptible to typical rose diseases & pests
- No thorns, not toxic
Things to Watch Out For
Lady Banks rose, if left unattended, can grow new canes that extend up to 50 feet! Unless you’ve got a large space for it to grow, be prepared to do some substantial pruning every spring.
The flowering season is short. Lady Banks rose blooms once in the spring, and the flowers only last a week or two.
Plants are considered thornless, but can have some small prickles.
Optimal Growing Conditions
If you’re thinking of adding a Lady Banks rose to your garden, you need to find a suitable place that will keep it healthy and looking good… while minimizing maintenance for you.
Here are the key factors to keep in mind.
Temperature
Lady Banks rose should be grown in USDA Hardiness Zones 6 – 11. In Zones 6 through 8, it’s deciduous, while in Zones 9-11, it’s evergreen. It tolerates both extreme heat and cold, surviving temperatures down to 10℉.
Sun Exposure
Lady Banks rose can be grown in full sun to part shade, but it blooms most profusely in full sun. It tolerates reflected heat and can be grown along a wall. (Since it needs some support, it often is.)
The ideal spot would provide morning sun with some dappled shade in the afternoon.
Size and Growth Rate
It’s a fast grower that typically reaches a size of 10 to 20 feet tall and 10 feet wide. But if left unpruned, it can grow much taller.
Soil
Lady Banks rose grows well in most desert soil, from sandy to clay, provided it’s well-draining, but performs best when planted in amended soil.
Pests & Diseases
Lady Banks rose is not susceptible to the usual pests and diseases of other roses, such as mildew and aphids. The famous “Tombstone rose” is not sprayed for any pests.
Other Location Considerations
This substantial shrubby vine needs some support from a wall, trellis, lattice, or fence. It’s beautiful when rambling over the top of a ramada or pergola. When unsupported, plants will grow into a sprawling groundcover.
Yellow or White?
If you’re interested in growing a Lady Banks rose, you have a choice of yellow or white flowers.
Rosa banksiae var. banksiae has white flowers. Compared to the yellow variety, it is more fragrant but is more likely to have prickles.
Rosa banksiae ‘Lutea’ has yellow flowers. It is nearly thornless, and somewhat less fragrant.
Lady Banks Rose:
The Essentials
| Common Names | Lady Banks rose, Tombstone rose |
| Scientific Name | Rosa banksiae |
| Origin | China |
| Plant Type | Evergreen shrubby vine |
| USDA Zones | Zones 6 – 11 |
| Cold Hardiness | To 10℉ |
| Flower Color | Yellow, white |
| Flower Season | Spring |
| Mature Size | 10-20’ high x 10’ wide |
| Growth Rate | Fast |
| Sun Tolerance | Full, part, reflected sun |
| Water Needs | Moderate |
| Pests & Diseases | Chlorosis |
| Garden Friendly | No thorns, non-toxic |
| Wildlife | Attracts bees, butterflies Deer, rabbit resistant |
How to Plant
The rule of thumb when planting any shrub or vine in the desert is to dig a hole three times as wide as the root ball but no deeper. Lady Banks rose does best when its soil is amended with compost or topsoil mix at the time of planting and topped with mulch or compost afterwards.
When to Plant
The best time to plant a Lady Banks rose is in February, March, or April. If you plant one in May, be prepared to give it extra TLC (more water and shade) to help it get ready for the onslaught of June heat.
How to Care for Lady Banks Rose
Whether you’ve recently planted a Lady Banks rose or have an existing plant in your yard, here’s how to take care of it to keep it healthy and looking its best.
How to Water New Plants
Once you’ve got your Lady Banks rose in the ground, watering is your most immediate concern. Here is a recommended watering schedule for new shrubs planted in the spring or fall.
| Weeks 1 & 2 | Every 3 – 4 days |
| Weeks 3 & 4 | Every 5 – 7 days |
| Weeks 5 & 6 | Every 7 – 10 days |
| Weeks 7 & 8 | Every 10 – 14 days |
After week 8, gradually revise your watering schedule, depending on the season.
How to Water Established Plants
As your rose gets established, there are two watering factors to consider.
- First is how often to water. This will vary with the seasons.
- Second is how much water to give your shrub with each watering. This depends on its current size.
To determine the ideal watering schedule, you’ll find everything you need to know, including easy-to-use charts, at How to Water Desert Shrubs: How Often? How Much?
Lady Banks rose prefers consistently moist soil and is considered a moderate rather than low water use plant.
Should You Fertilize?
Lady Banks rose generally performs well without any fertilizer. According to the Rose Tree Museum, the famous Tombstone rose is not fertilized.
If you notice signs of iron deficiency (yellow leaves with green veins), give your plant an application of iron chelate.
How to Prune
You can keep your rose’s size and shape in check by pruning it in early spring. Remove cold damage or dead, woody branches. Lady Banks rose blooms on the previous year’s growth, so only prune in the spring after it’s done flowering.
Plants have long primary canes which set the direction of growth. When you prune, be sure to leave canes that are growing in the desired direction (i.e., towards a wall or supporting structure) and remove canes that are growing askew.
Most homeowners keep their rose pruned as a moderate-to-large size shrubby vine, but if you’ve got the room, you can let it grow unrestrained.
Plant Lover Facts: The Tombstone Rose
The White Lady Banksia Rose was discovered in China and named for Lady Sarah Banks, the wife of famed botanist Sir Joseph Banks, a director of London’s Kew Gardens.
The Tombstone rose was planted in 1885 by a young woman who received a care package of plant cuttings from her family in Scotland, including a branch of a white Lady Banks rose.
It eventually grew into a world record holder. It stands 9 feet tall, has a trunk circumference of 13 feet, and covers an area of over 8,000 square feet. According to a historical marker at the Rose Tree Museum, it’s watered and pruned, but never fertilized or sprayed for pests. Several truckloads of brush are pruned each January.
If you want to see this historic rose in bloom, visit in mid-April. The bloom coincides with Tombstone’s annual Rose Tree Festival.
Did you enjoy this article?
Sign up for our weekly newsletter
where you’ll find more great info on creating &
maintaining a beautiful, carefree desert landscape.
Author Bio
Deane Alban is the creator of Southwest Gardener. She is a science writer with a bachelor’s degree in botany from the University of South Florida. Gardening is her lifelong passion. She’s been gardening in Tucson for 15 years.
Photo Credit
T. Kiya, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons