Rosa banksiae Purezza (The Pearl)

The climbing rose Purezza (synonym The Pearl) is a wonderful modern hybrid of the Banksia rose that has retained the charm and robustness of its Chinese ancestor while offering better cold resistance, less exuberant growth, and repeat flowering. It blooms early and abundantly, first from March to May depending on the climate, covering its foliage with barely double and fragrant white flowers in clusters. Its long flexible stems are almost devoid of prickles and its foliage is generally very healthy and persists through winter. Cultivable in most of our regions, this marvel deserves to be discovered.

The Rosa x banksia Purezza was obtained in Italy by Quinto Mansuino in 1961. It is the result of a cross between the miniature rose 'Tom Thumb' which gave it its repeat flowering character and hardiness, and Rosa banksiae lutescens, a single yellow-flowered rose discovered in China in 1870. From this second parent, Purezza inherited most of the characteristics concerning the appearance of its foliage and the overall look of its flowers.  

The growth of this climbing rose Purezza is rapid. A 10-year-old plant sends its stems up to 5 or 6 m (16 or 20ft) in height, with the base easily occupying 2 to 3 m on the ground. The young, very flexible stems, spring green in colour, are generally without thorns, which makes any pruning or shaping easier. It is the 1-year-old branches that produce countless clusters of 4 to 15 modest-sized flowers (3 to 4 cm (1 to 2in)), white and softly scented. This flowering is sporadic throughout the summer if the soil remains moist. In very dry summers, the flowering diminishes, but there is a beautiful resurgence in October. The foliage often persists through winter. It is divided into narrow and short leaflets, characterised by a tough texture and a bright green colour, becoming dark green in summer. It is sometimes susceptible to mildew when conditions are very hot and dry, but the plant, with its robust health, generally gets rid of this disease naturally. The long flexible stems should be tied to a support sheltered from cold winds. The smooth bark gradually transforms on the trunk of an older plant into rough strips revealing orange-ochre undersides. 

The climbing rose Purezza will delight enthusiasts of the Banksia rose, including those who garden in regions with fairly cold winters : unlike its cousin Rosa banksiae Alba Plena which it resembles, this one thrives in cooler areas.  This wonderful climber loves to invade small trees and to creep into hedges, where it will express its true nature of a rambling plant. Its foliage elegantly dresses a fence or wall, even when not in flower, throughout the year. It provides perfect shade on a large south-facing arbor. Easy to maintain, resistant to diseases, the plant requires no watering once well established and no treatment. Purezza will need good sunlight to induce its fabulous flowering. To accompany it, consider other climbing roses, a summer-flowering clematis or a compact wisteria Cecilia, for example.